Article By: Brian SmileyComing into the 2013-14 senior boys basketball season, the North Park Collegiate Trojans were on a 41-game winning streak in Brant County high school play.
With a few lineup changes that included an injection of youth, coach Todd Andrew felt it was going to take some time for his team to jell.
“This group of kids that I have is fairly young,” said Andrew.
“There's only one fifth-year kid in our starting lineup. Starting a Grade 9, a couple of Grade 11s, a Grade 12 and a fifth year, the challenge was these kids have never really played together as a unit.
“I know a few of the other schools have more experience and their kids, their starting units, have not only played together in high school but in youth basketball.
“I knew the learning curve was going to be a steep one for us.”
So, how have things worked out for the Trojans?
Well, North Park did have its amazing win streak snapped at 45 games - a streak that dated back to February of 2009 and included regular season and playoff games - when it lost to St. John's College in December. But aside from that loss and another one to Assumption, the Trojans are sitting pretty with a 7-2 record and one game to go in league play.
Despite graduating several strong and experienced players, Andrew had a good nucleus to build around for this season and he knew the team would excel in at least one area.
“Defensively, we're very strong because all the kids on the court are very athletic kids,” he said. “Usually defensive matchups aren't a problem for us.
“Offensively, I think we have a couple of the city's top scorers in Matt Minutillo and Jon Dulmage. Both of those kids can put the ball in the bucket.”
Minutillo, a Grade 11 guard, and Dulmage, a fifth-year forward, are usually the offensive leaders but Grade 11 forward Ryan Timms and Grade 12 guard Andrew Silla have also been standouts.
Andrew has also worked six-foot-eight, Grade 9 forward Brandon John into the starting lineup and although John may not have as much experience as some of the others, the potential for him to be a superstar is there.
Andrew, who often uses Matt Krason and Tyarr Powell Hodges to spell the starters, has had his team play a very competitive tournament schedule, including the Court Heinbuch in Waterloo, Western's Purple and White and, later this month, the Silver Fox in Hamilton.
While those competitions will have provided the Trojans with some valuable experience, the team has also faced stiff tests as Brant County features three strong teams in North Park, St. John's and Assumption.
Assumption is the only one of those schools classified as “AAAA” for the Central Western Ontario Secondary Schools Association championships so North Park will be battling St. John's and others for the “AAA” berth.
Andrew said he knows it won't be easy.
“It's definitely going to be a challenge,” he said. “Whoever wins the (county) championship this year, it's going to be well earned.
“It all comes down to February . . . there's lots of time for teams to grow. What you get in November is distinctly different from what you get in February.
“Playoffs should be very competitive and exciting.”
Retrieved From: http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/2014/01/15/high-school-boys-basketball-trojans-growing-into-playoffs
