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Adidas Early Bird Classic

Published by Gilbert Muako on November 19, 2009

Etobicoke, ON – One of the biggest and entertaining events took place recently. Every year the Adidas Early Bird Classic, hosted by Father Henry Mikyle MacIntosh Carr, brings out some of the top programs in Ontario (especially from the Toronto area) to take part in three days of competitive and exciting basketball. As always, coach Paul Melnik and staff do a fantastic job of conducting the well organized and successful event. Despite losing a great amount of talented prospects going south for high school, some teams still looked good and competed hard. The championship game came down to two well respected teams- in Father Henry Carr Crusaders and Pickering Trojans. This was a rematch of the last year’s finals game that the Trojans stole, so the Crusaders where definitely looking for revenge. Similar to their past teams, the Crusader are a skilled athletic group that plays tough pressure defense and score quick buckets on the fast break. The Trojans on the other side looked a bit young, starting three outstanding sophomores.

Finals

Father Henry Carr: 67 VS Pickering: 56

Raheem Isaac 18pts MiKyle McIntosh 26pts

Jamal Grennan 12pts Asher Lewis 15pts

Aaron Emmanuel 12pts

Standouts

MiKyle McIntosh 6’6″ SF/PF 2013 Pickering – Arguably the best talent in the event. McIntosh has a man’s body at the youthful age of 15. A versatile player, he possesses great strength in the low post, backs his man down and powers through for a strong finish. He likes receiving the ball on the high post faces up swipes takes two dribbles penetration then spin back to his left shoulder for the finish. McIntosh does a great job being aggressive, always attacking the rim, active on rebound and frequently gets to the charity strike. An unselfish player, he’ll find the open man when creating on the perimeter or pass it off when double teamed down low. Still developing his shooting he can occasionally hit the three but has a slow release at the moment. This youngster is loaded with potential

Mathew Wright 6’3” SG 2010 Martingrove C.I – Mathew Wright is a talented combo guard with good play making abilities. He’s a smart player that makes good decisions on the floor. Even though he did not shoot the ball as well as we’ve witnessed in the past, Wright still has outstanding midrange and outside jumper with nice stroke to go with. He can stop on a dime and pull whether in transition or coming off screens. On the defensive end his lateral movement looks weak. He is capable of putting up big numbers.

Aaron Emmanuel 6’1” CG 2012 Father Henry Carr – This left handed guard showed great quickness with the ball. Emmanuel has excellent ball handling ability, with a variety of moves to use (especially the in and out crossover) when creating his shot. He always uses a pump fake, jab step, fake pass to keep the defense off balance before getting into the lane for a floater or come to complete two foot stop and perform a quick teardrop. Emmanuel is always under control and also knows how to create space on his shot. He is a solid defender as well. USC and Oregon State are showing interest.

Raheem Isaac 6’3” SG 2011 Father Henry Carr – Isaac is an athletic two-guard with good physique and excellent leaping ability, has a soft touch, and does most of his damage in the midrange area. Isaac never forces the issue he plays within the system and gets the job done. He is a very good rebounder at the guard position. His ball handling could use some more work. Isaac looked more comfortable shooting outside; with his feet set he connected on some key three pointers in the championship game but still not yet consistent. If Isaac keeps improving he’ll be a really good player, already has a good understanding of the game.

Shane Reader 6’1” PG 2010 Father Henry Carr – A lead guard with fine feel for the passing game. Reader is a very unselfish guard who makes sound decisions at the point. He displayed some high level passing over the weekend noticeably in the championship game. Reader has a good midrange jumper and has good understanding of the game.

Kaza Kajami-Keane 5’11” PG 2013 Pickering – Keane’s an upcoming point guard with impressive leadership qualities at such young age. He looked to be the verbal leader directing teammates on the floor, and is a true competitor on both ends. Keane can attack and finish efficiently with both hands, and he is also capable of knocking down the jumper off the screen. His youth will show at times as he tends to force the issue while trying to make things happen. He lets his emotions take a toll of him as well. Over all a very impressive player to watch out for.

Asher Tulloch- Lewis 6’0” SG 2011 Pickering – Tulloch-Lewis opened a lot of eyes and definitely made a name for himself with his terrific outside shooting in the event. Showing he is a player opposing teams should be aware of. He is dangerous when he catches fire; Tulloch-Lewis hit six threes in the first half of the semi finals leading his team to the championship with 34pts. Looks under size at the two guard spot and could use work on his handling as well.

Dinjiyl Walker 6’1” CG 2012Vaughan – Walker’s a crafty guard with incredible shooting touch, he had one of the best looking jumpers in the event. Walker can shoot the ball with range and is capable of knocking down a pull up jumper anywhere on the floor.

Aaron Redpath 6’3” SG 2011 JC Richardson – An active offensive minded guard who can score a bunch of points in a short period of time. Redpath plays with a lot of energy, he has good instinct on the defensive end, picking off passes and running the break for easy buckets. He can shoot from outside as well as the midrange but his shot selections are questionable at times.

Haboubacar Mutombo 6’2” G Pickering – A lengthy guard with bounce, Mutombo plays the game well, a very young player to keep an eye on as he progresses.

Jamal Grennan 6’4″ SF 2010 Father Henry Carr – Grennan is an athletic forward who plays a major role in the Crusaders’ success, and will be a much better player if he improves his decision making.

Top 5 Scorers

1-Aron Redpath/ JC Richardson / 26 PPG

2-Tyler Wilson / Westveiw / 22.3 PPG

3-MiKyle McIntosh / Pickering / 18 PPG

3- Asher Tulloch-Lewis / Pickering / 18 PPG

4- Mathew Wright / Martingrove / 17 PPG

5- Raheem Isaac / Father Henry Carr / 15.3 PPG

-CROWNscout-

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