STM 2012 Season in Review
The Senior Knights finished this year with a record of 20-14, ending with a hard fought loss to Cardinal Newman – the eventual city champions – in the HWCDSB semi finals.
The team seemed to be snake-bit by injuries, playing several games with only 6 available players and losing star guard, Lamar Barr (last year’s leading scorer; 2011 all star at the Silver Fox, the Chancellor and the Mark Walton Invitational), for the entire season due to a knee injury. Though he was unable to play, Lamar displayed great loyality and commitment to his teammates, attending every practice and game and offering encouragement and advice. Thus, given the injuries, the coaches were very impressed with the 2nd place finish in the always competitive Hamilton Catholic League.
Despite the injuries, the team competed very well and did not duck the best competition in Ontario, facing perennial powers Eastern Commerce (lost by 3) Oakville Loyola (2 wins: won by 15, won by 2) Ottawa St Pats (won by 11) Toronto Oakwood (lost by 1) and Toronto St Mikes (2 losses). The team won the Towler/Roach Flight Championship at the Silver Fox Tournament defeating Hamilton Sherwood in the semi finals and Kingston Holy Cross in the finals. Another hilight was the 2nd place finish at the McDowell Holiday Tournament in Erie PA.
Congratulations to Paul Petruccelli who was chosen as team MVP. Paul had an outstanding career at STM winning a city championship, GHAC Championship and OFSAA AAAA silver medal and was a two time league all star. Paul was always up to the challenge of defending the opponent’s best player, whether it was a guard or a post, played both inside and outside on the offensive end and led the team in rebounding. Paul will continue his studies and athletic career at York University under Coach Oliveri. (Pictured above, Paul Petruccelli)
Congratulations to Xzennis Brereton who will be continuing his academic and basketball career under Coach Jonker at Mohawk College. Xzennis originally planned to attend the University of Windsor, but had a change of heart in September and chose to stay close to home. Xzennis was a transfer student from Toronto power Oakwood CI who used his final season to showcase his basketball talents and incredible athleticism. Xzennis was selected as a second team all star at The Mark Walton Invitational and the Silver Fox Invitational and a player of the game award in Erie PA. Xzennis was also selected to the league all star team.
Matt Brown showed tremendous improvement, both on offense and defense, in his second year and was awarded the Roger Viola Award as the team’s best defensive player. First year senior, Ryan Doornick, battled trough injury this year, but showed great promise, skill and leadership this season. Ryan was selected to the league all star team, an impressive achievement for a grade 11.
Congratulations to Santino Pecora (McMaster University) who played important roles off the bench this year who will be leaving STM along with Paul, Xzennis and Lamar (Mohawk College). All 4 graduates will be continuing their studies at the post secondary level. Congratulations to all graduating seniors on your athletic and, more importantly, your scholastic achievements.
Big things are expected from returning players – Robert Harrison, Matt Brown, Mike Brown, Chemezie Chris Ike, Jon Asante, Jeremy Angelini, Gatluak Kong and Ryan Doornick. However, competition will be intense for next year’s senior team with an outstanding junior team moving up to the senior ranks as well as many hardworking players who did not make last year’s team. Use the summer to improve and come back ready to continue STM’s strong basketball tradition.
Congratulations to all the former Knights who played post secondary basketball this year including:
Ali Askarov – Redeemer College
Kojo Afari – Sault College
Zach Angelini – University of Waterloo
And to the players who were involved in Canadian March Madness:
Tyrell Vernon – St Francis Xavier University; special congratulations to Tyrell for being a part of SFX’s CIS Bronze Medal Winning Team
http://www.goxgo.ca/news/2012/3/11/mb_031112072…
Victor Raso – McMaster University; congratulations to Victor who was selected as a OUA West All Star and was McMaster’s Basketball MVP
http://www.oua.ca/news/2012/3/2/MBBall_03021244…
http://www.thespec.com/sports/article/694302—q…
Jon Gordon – Algoma College; congratulations to Jon who was chosen as Algoma’s player of the game in the Bronze Medal Match in the OCAA Playoffs
http://www.saultstar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=…
Jerome Smith – St Mary’s University (AUS Playoffs); Jerome scored 25 points in the AUS quaterfinals
http://northpolehoops.com/2012/03/03/saint-mary…
Also, congratulations to former Knight Marcus St Aubin who was chosen as the University of Windsor’s Football Rookie of the Year
http://golancers.ca/news/2012/2/14/FB_021412420…
And finally, congratulations to Coach Jonker and Hamiton’s Mohawk College for bringing home the Canadian Men’s College Basketball Championship
http://www.thespec.com/sports/article/689230—m…
In a hard fought, mostly defensive struggle, the STM Knights were defeated by Cardinal Neman 52-43 in the Catholic semi finals. Newman led for most of the first half, taking a 28-20 lead into halftime.
The Knights fought back appeared to swing the momentum and take the lead when Xzennis Brereton stole the ball and went in for a dunk, energizing the crowd and giving More a 1 point lead. However, a technical foul was called by the trail official, negating the momentum, giving Newman an extra 2 shots, and giving Brereton his 4th foul, forcing him to the bench for the final 5:42 of the third quarter. Replays will show a player clearly under Brereton as he finished the dunk.
The rest of the game was a back and forth affair, Newman, however, made more of their opportunities down the stretch than did the Knights and were leading 46-43, with the ball, with 2 seconds left, when the referees called several technicals on the Knights, even though, it was clear by that point, that Newman had won the game and would be moving on to the finals. Congratulations to Cardinal Newman and good luck to both Newman and Cathedral in the finals. We look forward to an entertaining and well played game.
The team would like to thank its graduating seniors – Lamar Barr, Xzennis Brereton, Santino Pecora and Paul Petruccelli – for their outstanding efforts and leadership this year. Though the team suffered through much adversity to due an unprecented bout of injuries this season, the players never stopped working and are to be proud of their second place League finish. Good luck, as well, to any graduating grade 12s who will not be returning next year. These decisions, of course, are still to be made as the University acceptance process is just now beginning, and the team wishes all players all the best in their future goals and endeavours.
In another hard fought game, similar to the one played by the two teams one week ago, the Knights were able to come away with a 9 point victory. Xzennis Brereton led the Knights with 17 points. Paul Petruccelli was saddled with foul trouble all game, but made an impact on the boards. Robert Harrison played tough defense on the St Marys shooters.
The Knights next face CN in the semi finals. Game will be played at STM on Thursday. Game time TBD.
STM was eliminated in the quarter final round Friday night at the All Catholic Tournament in St Catharines. The Knights opened up against a strong Ottawa St Pat’s team. The Knights led from start to finish and came away with a 78-67 victory.
Then the Knights faced the #1 team in Ontario, and in Canada, according to most rankings, St Mike’s of Toronto. St Mike’s got up early, but the Knights battled back to be down only 4 with 3 minutes left in the second quarter. A run, in the final 3 minutes of the half put St Mike’s up 45-27 at half. STM could not sustain the intensity needed to complete in the second half and were defeated 77-45.
Playoffs begin Tuesday at STM with a triple header – Midget, Junior and Senior teams all play. Stay tuned for details