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Select Boys steal silver in Hamilton

While it was nip and tuck to get into the medal round, the Sudbury (SYBA) U13 Select Boys made the most of their opportunity at the Blessed Sacrament Tournament in Hamilton, April 10-12, returning home with silver medals.
While it was nip and tuck to get into the medal round, the Sudbury (SYBA) U13 Select Boys made the most of their opportunity at the Blessed Sacrament Tournament in Hamilton, April 10-12, returning home with silver medals.

This despite a tough a start in their opening game, relinquishing a seven-point lead to the Belleville Spirits (55-49) and losing starting forward Carter Rouillard for the weekend due to an ankle injury.

Still, the locals persevered, outscoring the Cambridge Centaurs 58-41 in game two, a highly physical affair. The Selects received outstanding work on the boards at both ends of the court from Samuel Cloutier.

Closing out the round robin in a squeaker of a game, the locals were tripped up 39-36 by the Niagara Falls Red Raiders. Still, there were several positive signs, including the best game of the year from club-ball rookie Amid Merchant, coming through with a number of key steals to go along with a pair of important baskets.

With three teams tied at 1-2, the margin of victory for Sudbury over Cambridge would pay dividends, as the Selects advanced to the final four. Unable to match up with the size of the Toronto North Region Crazy Catz in the semis, the northern lads reverted to their strengths.

A zone defense helped protect the paint, while the explosive speed of Nicholas Burke combined with the smooth, penetrating drives of Eric Huneault lifted the Selects to a 43-36 upset of the Catz.

Playing outstanding defense, and providing the "best pump fake of the season", Isaac Bortolus was rewarded with the "Steel Bucket" as the player of the game for Sudbury.

Down to just eight bodies — Ta Mbvaimbvai was lost to a knee injury — the Selects drew the top defensive team in their grouping in the final, facing the Barrie Royals.

A power shutdown delayed the game for some 15 minutes, but it was the inability of the Sudbury crew to overcome the stifling Barrie defense that would ultimately pave the way for a 45-30 victory for the Royals.

In a game where the Selects simply could not get their shooting on track, Brennan Maag shone as one of the bright lights for the locals.

The 2014-2015 edition of the Sudbury U13 Selects includes Amid Merchant, Nicholas Burke, Eric Huneault, Carter Rouillard, Ta Mbvaimbvai, Isaac Bortolus, Brennan Maag, Samuel Cloutier, Blake Barnard, Tylor Davison and coaches Will Stevens, Dave Huneault and Eric Maag.

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