In a highly anticipated showdown for the City Division 2 basketball championship, the Bishop Gators, standing 2nd in the league standings, clashed with the 6th-seeded St. Benedict Bears in a game filled with intense action and stellar performances.
St. Benedict had carved an impressive path to the finals with a strong playoff run, securing victories over Champlain, Confederation, and Sudbury Secondary. However, their journey hit a roadblock as they faced a formidable Bishop team hungry for victory.
The final score of 72-60 in favor of Bishop Gators tells only part of the story of this thrilling championship match. The game unfolded with a series of competitive quarters, each team battling fiercely for the coveted title.
The quarter-by-quarter breakdown reveals the intensity of the match:
- 1st Quarter: Bishop 16 - 10 St. Benedict
- 2nd Quarter: Bishop 18 - 16 St. Benedict
- 3rd Quarter: Bishop 18 - 24 St. Benedict
- 4th Quarter: Bishop 20 - 10 St. Benedict
The Bishop Gators showcased a balanced scoring attack, with standout performances from several players. Leading the charge was Ethan Smith with 18 points, followed closely by Malachi Slack and Alex Lynds, each contributing 14 points. Cody Oswamick added 12 points to the scoreboard, while Seth Tumbull, Sean O’Connell, Evan Mantha, and Bradley Cudmore rounded out the scoring for Bishop.
On the opposing side, St. Benedict's offense was anchored by Jack Denomme, who delivered an impressive 27 points in a valiant effort. Faruq Abiola added 11 points to the Bears' tally, supported by Dylan Bertin with 7 points, Anthony Gutcher with 6 points, Michel Ngoyet with 5 points, and Phoenix Marks with 3 points.
The sidelines were abuzz with energy as the skilled coaches guided their teams through the intense battle. Joel Agowissa. led the St. Benedict Bears with strategic prowess, while J. Mousseau commanded the Bishop Gators to their championship victory.
The roster for both teams showcased talent and determination:
Bishop Gators:
- Ethan Smith
- Malachi Slack
- Alex Lynds
- Cody Oswamick
- Seth Tumbull
- Sean O’Connell
- Evan Mantha
- Bradley Cudmore
- Shane Stevens
- Brandon Ramsey
- Jacob Rogerson
- Nathan Fogarty
St. Benedict Bears:
- Jack Denomme
- Faruq Abiola
- Dylan Bertin
- Anthony Gutcher
- Michel Ngoyet
- Phoenix Marks
- Owen Alexander
- Josh Diplock
- Corbin Appleby
The championship victory for the Bishop Gators marks a significant achievement in their season, capping off a hard-fought campaign with a well-deserved title.