Article By: Vincent BallThe Assumption College Lions used a balanced scoring attack on Thursday to beat the St. John's College Green Eagles and even the best-of-three series at one game each.
The Lions won 42-33 to force a deciding game on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Paris District High School
In the junior game, St. John's beat the North Park Collegiate Trojans 33-30 to even their best-of-three junior boys' basketball final. Game 3 will be Tuesday in Paris.
Mike Petrella, assistant coach of the Lions, said his players were a different squad from the one that lost Game 1.
"We had a really great practice on Wednesday night," he said following the game.
"We talked about what we needed to do better and the kids responded.
"The coaching staff came up with a game plan they executed it to perfection."
The Lions were led in scoring by Mike King who hit for 12 points. But they also got points from several other players, including Andre Toic and Tanner Baldin, who got six each.
"This was a team win," Petrella said. "We have some players who have really stepped up this year and have made big contributions to this team."
Mike Doherty, the assistant coach for the Green Eagles, gave credit to Assumption.
"They played well but then we knew that they would come back hard after Tuesday," Doherty said.
"We had trouble shooting. We couldn't get anything to fall.
"But when that happens you have work even harder defensively to help generate your offence."
Adrian Mendoza scored 9 points for the Green Eagles, while Mitch Santilli scored 8 and Cam Post scored 6.
In the junior contest, St. John's coach Christian Miller said his players played with intensity.
"The big difference tonight was that we played well in the first quarter," he said following the game.
"In the first game, we came out slow but not tonight. We played hard right from the get go."
The Trojans led 8-6 after the first quarter when both teams had a hard time making any shots.
But in the second quarter, some strong inside play by Lucas Williamson and Jordan Nichols helped St. John's take the lead and by the end of the half the Green Eagles led 20-14.
In the second half, St. John's continued to dominate the boards and at the same time North Park had some tough luck around the offensive hoop. The Trojans had their shots but they just weren't falling and the Green Eagles weren't giving them any second chances.
Still, the Trojans wouldn't give up and battled back in the fourth quarter led by some outstanding plays including one by forward Kyle Webster.
He made a terrific defensive play then went coast to coast to score a basket and draw a foul. He converted the free throw and suddenly it was a three-point game with under a minute left.
The Trojans however had a couple of turnovers and the Green Eagles used up the clock for the win.
"Our guys played with a lot of heart and I'm proud of their effort," Trojans assistant coach Tyler Johnston said. "We worked hard all game.
"We just have to do a better job of rebounding and converting our chances.
The Trojans also had to play much of the game with guard Jamie Grant on the bench. He picked up three fouls in the first half which limited his playing time.
The Green Eagles were led in scoring by Nichols with 13 and Williamson with 8, while Webster scored 17 for the Trojans and Grant got 8.
Retrieved From: http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/2014/02/13/high-school-boys-basketball-playoffs-seniors-juniors-go-to-game-3s
