Article By: Darryl G. SmartWhen the Norfolk Secondary School Athletic Association boys basketball playoffs tip off at Holy Trinity Wednesday, there are several teams cautiously optimistic.
And for good reason.
In both the junior and senior loops, there’s been a three-horse race between the Holy Trinity Titans, Simcoe Sabres and Waterford Wolves.
“It’s been a tight season,” Wolves junior coach Derek Rowntree said during the Simcoe Sabres Shootout. “For the teams, it really means every game is important, not just as a learning process for them, but in the standings as well.”
The Wolves ended the season in third place, and will take on the second-place Sabres at 3 p.m., in the first game of a quadruple bill.
“We play Waterford and in all honesty had a great game last Thursday against them,” Sabres coach Derek McConnell said. “They have a couple of exceptional players who are very difficult to contain, so that is a concern for us. Logan is an incredible player and he is complimented by the others and especially their big man who has played well against us. We will definitely need to play great defence and of course get a strong team effort on offence and defence.
“I have had a great time with these guys this season,” he said. “It will take great play to win NSSAA, especially considering Waterford. HT is also a very good and both are very well coached. I am hopeful that the kids will rise to the occasion, as it will be a nice way to head into CWOSSA."
In the other semifinal, the first-place Titans will host the Valley Heights Bears at 4:30 p.m.
“Our team has played really well this season,” Titans coach Tyler Backus said. “We have a very big team which has contributed to our strong defensive play. We’ve been a strong rebounding team, which has helped with our quick transition to the fast break.
“As coaches we’ve been preaching all season how practice can only be done with 100% intensity and defence wins games.”
While any team could earn a berth into Friday’s junior, the same could be said for the seniors.
In the 6 p.m. game on Wednesday, the second-place Wolves will hook up with the third-place Sabres.
This head-to-head battle has been tight all season.
“I just want a good game, where both teams play well,” Wolves coach Dan Avey said. “It would be great to get to the final, but we’re still focusing on building for CWOSSA (Central Western Ontario Secondary School Association).
“I believe all of the teams have a shot at the Norfolk title. They’re all well coached and it really is up in the air this year. It depends on who shows up ready to play.”
In the 7:30 p.m. semifinal, the first-place Titans will take on the fourth-place Delhi Raiders.
“The team bought into the concepts and we grew stronger with each practice and game,” Titans coach Paul McCormack said. “We only play eight league games and in order to get better we played a lot of exhibition games outside of Norfolk.
“In order for us to win in the semis we need to play our game on the big floor, run the way we can and reduce mistakes and unnecessary turn overs,” he said. “In Norfolk any of the teams in the playoffs can win, it will be the team that puts together two good games that will take it all.”
The basketball finals will take place Friday at Holy Trinity, with the juniors at 6 p.m., and the seniors to follow at 7:30 p.m.
