Article By: Darryl Smart
As a first-year player, Tim Dawson knew heading into the senior boys' basketball season that he had to somehow fit into the St. John's College Green Eagles' mix.
Tuesday night at home, the Grade 11 point guard flourished when given the opportunity, leading the Green Eagles (5-1) to a 61-42 victory over the Brantford Collegiate Mustangs (2-4).
"We came out hard tonight and were able to press them, forcing them into a bunch of turnovers," Dawson, who led all scorers with 24 points said. "We usually come out slow, but we brought a lot of energy tonight for a change and had a really dominant performance."
Dawson was especially dominant, being the recipient of a patient offence that first started outside and then stretched the Mustangs inside. And with a couple key players out of the lineup, Green Eagles coach Nick Esposito was able to use more of his young lineup.
"The first year guys played well, they all did," Esposito said. "We put some new things in during practice yesterday and they got it tonight."
As for Dawson's dominance, Esposito knew the potential was there.
"Tim really stepped up for us tonight and did an excellent job," Esposito said. "I know he has it in him to play like this every game."
Dawson said as the season has gone on, he and the other younger players have felt more comfortable with playing senior basketball.
"There's a big difference between junior and senior," Dawson said. "You have to play a full game no matter who you're playing. The level is so much higher and if a team catches you sleeping they'll make you pay for it."
As for his role with the team, that's something he's had to grow into.
"It's one of those things that you have to just find for yourself and do the best you can to make it work,"
Dawson said. "You have to find your role and then work hard to excel at it. You really just have to play within your game and play with confidence."
And confidence is something the Green Eagles have been gaining.
"We've been improving every game," Dawson said. "The transition from junior to senior is tough and as a group we're all working hard to get better. We're gaining more confidence as we go along. We're looking for great things in the second half of the season."
Also scoring for the Green Eagles was J.P. Yurcich, who scored nine points, while Cam Post netted seven.
Mackenzie Mark led the Mustangs with 12 points, Ben Candy scored 11 and Chris Gorski added 10.
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Other Results:
SENIOR
NPC (6-0) 72, PJC (2-4) 16. NPC: Marcus Hamilton 21, Logan Varga 12, Luke Ciere 9. PJC: Dylan Williams 6, Dakotta Robinson 3, Zach Benin 3
ACS 58 (1-5), Paris (2-4) 34. ACS: Andre Toic 17, Nolan Drong 16, Nick Burdett 16. Paris: Jake Kelley 13, Parker McIntyre 10, Harji Gill 2.
JUNIOR
SJC (6-0) 58, BCI (2-4) 29. SJC: Steve Szasz 15, Connor Kuzmich 13, Adrian Mendoza 9, David Smith 6, Dylan Ryan 5, Dalton Mark 4, Zach Dawson and Lukas Hager 2. BCI: Tristan Almas 9, Noel Bomberry, Austin Leschuk 6, Conner Loder 4, Adam Bakker 3, Robin Hylands 2.
ACS (4-2) 74, Paris (0-6) 38. Scores were not submited.
NPC (4-1) vs PJC (1-4). Score and scorers were not submitted.
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