Knights, Colts, Saints take city basketball championships (Updated)

Three different schools emerged victorious at the Boys High School Basketball City Championships on Saturday at St. Basil.

In the senior division, the St. Mary's Knights blew open a tight game in the second half and scored a 57-38 win over the Korah Colts.

Pat Murray, who was later named as the game and senior division's most valuable player, led the Knights with 18 points while John Mullin added 17 and Michael Esson eight.

Jordan Murtonen paced the Colts offense with 11 points while Christian Johnson added 10 and Chris Cassagrande nine.

"Offensively we started shooting better in the second half because we started moving the ball better. In the first half we were rushing ourselves. Defensively, we shut off the penetration with the 2-3 zone and we forced them to take some shots over the top of us and we are much taller than they are," said Knights veteran skipper Loris Pecile.

"Whenever we get into foul trouble, our rotation works out very well. We have players who will step up and pick up the slack."

The Knights did take control of the game early as Mullin hit for two three-pointers to pace the Knights to a 14-6 lead.

But the Colts rebounded to outscore the Knights 5-2 to end the first quarter and then grabbed an 18-16 lead midway through the second frame.

Mullin tipped home a rebound at the buzzer to send the Knights, who were held scoreless for the first 5:48 of the second quarter, into the locker room with a 22-20 lead.

"I thought we slowed it down in the second half," said Murray. "We were overexcited in the first half. We weren't too worried when (Jordan Forbes) got into foul trouble because we have a long bench and everyone can play on this team."

"I thought John Mullin had a great game for them and really stepped up, which is why they had a great second half," said Colts head coach Jeff Giovanatti. "Some of our shots didn't fall and they really worked the ball around well against our zone (defense). I think the biggest thing is second chance opportunities.

"Our team achieved wonders this year and I think the players achieved what they wanted to do. We are looking forward to going to NOSSA."

*** JUNIOR:

In an exciting final, the Korah Colts held off the St. Mary's Knights 67-59.

Matt Glibota scored 21 points for the Colts while Jon Beharriel and Jordan Lang added 16 each. Josh Martella replied with 21 points for St. Mary's with Tyler Wilson adding 18 and Ricky Lamon 13.

The teams headed into the second quarter tied at 18-18 but the Colts outscored the Knights 17-8 in that period for a 35-26 lead at the half. The Knights made a run in the fourth quarter but the Colts were able to hang on for the win.

*** MIDGET:

In the midget final, the St. Basil Saints took an early lead and never looked back in a 61-27 win over Korah.

Michael Alexander led a balanced Saints attack with 13 points while Fraser Speakman poured in 10 points, Will Hamilton nine, Nicolas Whitmell eight and Geoffrey Clarke seven.

Josh Thompson scored 16 points for the Colts and Nate Zacharie 10.

Will Hamilton hit two three-point shots to help spark the Saints to a 19-10 lead in the first quarter. After building their lead to 14 points at the half, the Saints held the Colts to 12 points in the third quarter and scoreless in the fourth.

*** NOSSA:

In senior, St. Mary's will be headed to the Northern Ontario Secondary Schools Association (NOSSA) AA playdowns in Sudbury this weekend while Korah will also head to the Nickel City for the AAA playdowns and St Basil for the single 'A' championship.

In junior, the Colts along with the regular season champion Bawating Braves will represent the city along with St. Basil in the single A playdowns.

*** MOST VALUABLE PLAYERS:

Pat Murray of the Knights was selcted as the senior division's most valuable player. Junior honours went to Bawating's Jordon Fresque while St. Basil's Mike Alexander was the midget selection.

*** REFEREE'S AWARD:

Korah's Christian Johnson was named the winner of the referee's John Marasco Trophy for the player best combining sportsmanship with ability.

Other nominees were Bawating's Tim Young, St. Basil's Nick DiDonato, St. Mary's John Mullin, Sir James Dunn's Mark Schildroth and White Pines' Todd Hicks.

*** ALL-STARS:

The following are the senior division all-stars:

Tyler Binkley (St. Mary's) Chris Cassagrande (Korah) Nick DiDonato (St. Basil) Jordan Forbes (St. Mary's) Christian Johnson (Korah) Andrew King (St. Basil) Mitchell Lethbridge (Korah) Pat Murray (St. Mary's) Jordan Murtonen (Korah) Jamie Weldon (Sir James Dunn) Mike Weimer (White Pines)

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