For the second year in a row, the First Basketball team are champions of the Whitby Invitational Basketball Tournament. But it wasn't easy - standing in their way, in a rematch of last year's final, was JC Richardson, a talented and athletic team from Ajax. Richardson came out hot in the opening quarter, knocking down four triples in the frame. The Saints kept their composure though by responding with fast break buckets to keep the game close. Payton Flint and Jayden Leung ran the floor incredibly well all game long and put pressure on the Richardson defense.
However, in the second quarter the wheels fell off a bit for the Saints. They struggled against Richardson's pressure, turning over the ball in the backcourt. Defensively, their defense loosened up, providing gaps that Richardson's guards used to attack the basket. Duncan McDonell and Cassius Peterson came in to settle things down and secure some solid possessions, but the damage had been done. The Saints went into the half trailing 45-32.
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Instead of panicking, the Saints settled down in the second half and tightened things up at both ends of the court. Defensively the Saints took away driving lanes and Richardson's guards struggled to get to the rim. Gabe Cabelli came in to clean up the glass, while Marcellus Young-Casario began to absolutely dominate the offensive boards and earn putbacks and free throws. The Saints moved the ball on offense and found shooters in the corners, most notably Brandon Yi for the corner three. Suddenly, the game was tied at 60 coming down the stretch.
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That's when the Ben Fitzpatrick show began. The reigning tournament three point shooting champion from yesterday knocked down two straight triples to put the Saints up six, and then when Richardson had to foul Ben went to the stripe and knocked down three of four. Richardson tried to press, but the Saints were ready and took care of the ball and ran out the clock.
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Congratulations to the Saints for believing that what they do well and how they play - smart, hard and together at both ends of the floor - would get it done!
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Game Results
St. Andrew's College 75
JC Richardson 66
