To say that the Junior O'Connor Blues have come a long way would be an understatement. A 22-3 season record which included two Tournament Gold medals and a major win in the eastern semi-finals at Mother Teresa is objectively an amazing run and one to be extremely proud of. However, the nature of competition is such that a loss in your final game is never easy to stomach. Upon sober reflection we come to appreciate the facts. When your last game is against none other than the #1 ranked Henry Carr Crusaders the odds of prevailing is low. Carr is the number one ranked team in the GTA and likely one of the top teams in the country for a reason. The Crusaders bring the complete package. The club is a highly experienced and highly skilled group. They are long, they are physical and to a man they play the game at a break neck tempo. At the Junior level one can see why they have seldom faced a real challenge this season.
The Blues enjoyed a short-lived 5-4 lead early in the first quarter when guard Oshea Gairey hit an open three, but that would be the last time the game was close. The Crusader stifling pressure led to quick transition points and quicker than you can say "time-out" the game was ripped away from the upstart Blues. To their credit the Blues effort and will to win was unbroken as the group did not quit at any point in the game, but it was clear who the dominant team was. Composure and control was difficult as Carr dictated the tempo of the game. In the end the 68-43 result was a good reflection of what transpired on the day. Henry Carr predictably moves on to the TDCAA finals and likely a Championship.
The Blues end their season with nothing to be ashamed of and an excellent barometer reading of where their game is at in comparison with a team at the highest level. O'Connor's Senior coach Sherwyn Benn assisted on the bench and addressed the boys in the sombre locker room after the game.
"This afternoon you experienced and saw where the next level is. Anyone in this room that wants to work hard to get there will have our support."
The future of O'Connor Basketball certainly looks bright. The core of this year's Junior Team: Kareem South, Oshea Gairey, Justis Hamil, Nigel Rainford, R.J. Corpuz, Nick Charles, Alex Mulego, Shadon Gray-Smith, Jose Rivas, Emmanuel Kirenga and Emmanuel Dover will all be moving up to join a solid returning Senior Group. Returning Juniors Malcolm Glanville, Ruben Kasonga and Antonio Messam will provide an exciting foundation for a new crop of upstart ballers.
Special thanks are in order for all those who supported this amazing run. Program coaches: Jason Halili, Rob Di Zio, Sherwyn Benn, Paul Douros, Steve Sarkissian, Steve Omelan and Tanya Callaghan. Blues Athletic Coordinator Lorraine Kelly, All O'Connor Administration, teachers and support staff, the parents of all our players who supported the team all year and finally the student body who never failed to enthusiastically cheer on their Blues.
This play-off run has been an excellent boon the Blues Basketball Program. The fruits of this amazing season will not be lost- O'Connor Basketball has an exciting future.
No comments:
Post a Comment