Article By: Darryl G. SmartIt may not have been the conventional way, but it's how Nick Minutillo, Vishal Brar and Eric Hamilton wanted to finish off their high school basketball careers.
After a two-month break left them with little hope of suiting up in the orange, white and green again, the trio and their North Park Collegiate Trojan teammates are looking for provincial glory when the Ontario Federation of Schools Athletic Association AAA boys basketball championships begins in Windsor Monday.
"It's obviously great that we were able to come back and have the opportunity to play basketball again," Minutillo said. "That credit goes to Mr. Andrew. I mean, we wouldn't even have had this chance if it weren't for him."
While the rest of the public school teams in Brant shut things down for good when teachers began a job action as a result of the battle between its union and the government, coach Todd Andrew and the Trojans held out hope.
That hope turned to reality when the Trojans rose from the political ashes and suited up at the Central Western Ontario Secondary Schools Association Classic last weekend, where the team won to punch its ticket to OFSAA.
"It's been a bit of a rollercoaster ride and the kids realized what was going on," Andrew said. "They're really excited to be on the floor again and I couldn't be happier for them. Now they're excited to be able to fulfill a goal we set out as a team at the beginning of the season. It was an unconventional way but we're going to OFSAA and I am happy for our kids, especially our graduating players, who will get to be the leaders of this team."
For Minutillo and Hamilton, it's not the first trip to the big dance. After missing out last year, the two were a big part of the Trojans team that competed at OFSAA two years ago.
This is the third time in four years a Trojans team has made it to the tournament.
"Representing our school at OFSAA is special," Minutillo said. "We're feeling good going into the tournament. We played well at CWOSSA and everyone is comfortable with where we are as a team. We're hoping to go there and compete like we can."
For Andrew, that's always the goal for his teams at this level.
"I always stress to just compete," Andrew said. "We've built our program around defence, and hope we get our fair share of looks at the other end. At this level there's nowhere to hide. Everyone at this tournament is talented and could bury you if you take a quarter off."
As for the two-month layoff, Andrew isn't worried.
"When you're off for two months there aren't many positives," Andrew said. "If anything, they're fresh. Usually teams are banged up this time of year. With the exception of Jon (Dulmage) injuring his ankle last weekend, we're looking good."
He said there is an excitement on the team that's much different than past squads because of the layoff.
"We don't have many rah-rah kind of guys," Andrew said. "But there is a real excitement about them right now because they're excited to be back."
First up for the No. 10 seeded Trojans is No. 4 Notre Dame, from Burlington.
"They were silver medalists last year. And we lost by about a dozen to them early in the year," Andrew said. "It'll be a challenge, but we know them and know what to expect."
Retrieved From: http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/2013/03/03/senior-trojans-earn-unexpected-trip-to-ofsaa
