Just as was the case on a SDSSAA (
Comfortably disposing of both the West Ferris Trojans from North Bay (80-57) and Superior Heights Steelhawks from Sault Ste Marie (75-29) in pool play, the senior Knights were anticipating a gold medal showdown with the Korah Colts.
A Chippewa Ravens upset of the SSM squad bumped that battle ahead to the semis, with Lo-Ellen bolting to a 33-18 lead at the half, advancing with a 61-50 win as Hunter Laplante sparked the offense with 22 points.
The final opposite Chippewa was no contest (78-40) as veterans Brayden Legendre (17 pts), Will Church (15), Quin Mazzuchin (10 + dominated the boards) evidenced their ample experience while grade 10 standout Noah Skrobot created a strong defensive presence while also chipping in with eight points.
“These players are great,” noted LEP head coach Mac Bertrand. “They are committed, they work hard, they embrace their roles and they care about each other.”
The balance of the Knights senior boys team that will travel to North Bay on Sunday is comprised of Adam Scott, Kobi Elendu, Joel Ankomah, Mishal Olanrewaju, Anderson Parent, Ethan Farrugia, Michael Seccaspina and assistant coaches Mike Scott and Carter Benson.
The junior Knights had set the table for their elders by securing NOSSA bragging rights of their own, a feat that was matched by the St Benedict Bears juniors, 62-60 winners over the Espanola Spartans, handing their rivals their first loss of the season in the NOSSA “A” final.
St Benedict junior boys: Mashood Adaleye, Jod Elidje, Ose Okojic, Evan Demarchi, Holden Beange, Chris Folino, James Alabi, Zach Arsenault, Sam Julius, David Adeyomi, Jayden Latourelle, Ayo Ogunsona, Prince Komelafi and head coach Ben Smith.
The St Benedict seniors could not duplicate that effort, up 28-20 on the half by unable to contain the Algonquin Barons in the second half and settling for silver following a 60-55 loss.
