Buzz

Top Dogs On Top Squad

Published by CROWN staff on February 26, 2009

Alwayne Bigby and Marvin Binney of Eastern Commerce (OFSAA CHAMPS)

Jovan Brkic

Toronto, ON-Whoever said there’s more to life than winning obviously never met Eastern Commerce superstars Alwayne ‘Weezy’ Bigby and ‘Marvelous’ Marvin Binney.

“Since I’ve been here, we’ve won the regional and city championships every year, but never OFSAA,” Bigby tells us.

“My most memorable basketball moments? Our two gold medal losses at OFSAA,” says Binney.

Individual accolades clearly aren’t the focus of these young men, who annually keep Eastern Commerce Collegiate as probably the most feared high school team in Canada.

Start with Bigby, an explosive and exciting 6’5″ swingman who constantly skies over opponents for ferocious dunks, rebounds and blocks, while also playing tenacious defence. When asked to describe his biggest strengths, Bigby mentions his passing and playmaking abilities as well. He models his game after his favourite players, Carmelo Anthony and OJ Mayo, and it shows in his complete versatility and domination of his competition. On the season, he is averaging 16 points, 10 assists and 5 rebounds per game for arguably the top team in the province, if not, the country!

Big Shot Images

“He’s always been an athletic and physical player, but now his fundamentals have developed and he’s become a complete player,” says his AAU coach, Ro Russell. Bigby is also a member of Canada’s Junior National Team, and was an all-star while playing for Ontario Mission in the International Junior Tournament in Italy.

Alwayne Bigby
And right there leading the charge with Bigby is point guard Marvin Binney. At 6’1″, this lightning quick playmaker is relishing his role after earning it the hard way.

“In Grade 9 I barely got to play,” explains Binney, referring to the fact that he was stuck behind his older teammates, Keaton Cole and Junior Cadougan. “I just kept hitting the gym every day, dedicating and pushing myself to getting better.” The hard work has obviously paid off, as Binney is averaging 14 points, 6 assists, 4 steals, 3 rebounds a game, and can boast an MVP award from the prestigious Pinky Lewis Tournament this season. With sick handles, a deadly pull up jumper, and great leadership abilities, Binney reminds many of a younger Deron Williams.

It’s this combination of talent that has most folks talking about Bigby and Binney as the best one-two punch in Toronto, and one of the best in the country without a doubt.

“Yeah, I think we are the best one-two punch out there,” Binney says when asked about it. His teammate agrees with that assessment. But unlike many great young players who get lost in the hype about themselves, Bigby and Binney are clearly more concerned about helping carve out a championship season for their team.

“We want to be remembered as the players who ended our school’s drought and won that provincial championship,” says Bigby. He hasn’t forgotten about the years of hard training just for the chance to win it all, and even spending his free time promoting the team around school to get more fan support. Neither has Binney.

“You gotta push yourself hard to get better, to make the team better,” he tells us. “And it’s not just you, but it’s also your friends helping make you better, waking you up when you’re sleeping so you can get to the gym earlier to put in more work. It’s about going to your coaches for help and allowing them to push you to give all you can give.”

It’s more than talent and hard work that has this duo ready to lead their team to the Promised Land, however.
Marvin Binney
“We’re like brothers,” Binney proudly states. “We do everything together, on and off the court. On the court, we know each other so well that we just feed off each other, like we can put our thoughts together. We just look at each other and know. We just run it.”

Marvin Binney - Big Shot Images

“It’s like we can read each other’s minds on and off the court, we’re that close,” adds Bigby.

A title would also be extra sweet for Binney, who had to overcome a lot of adversity to make it this far.

“A lot of people told me I wouldn’t make it, and that I wasn’t good enough. I went from riding the bench to where I am now. I just feel blessed by God for having my mom to support me, and to have friends like Alwayne who always pushed me to be my best.” Bigby also praises God, his family and friends for holding him down, showing that aside from great talent, chemistry and desire, strong character is also a common factor that keeps these two focused.

Without a doubt, both Bigby and Binney will have more opportunities to lead their teams to greatness in the near future. With both of them NCAA bound, the opportunities that they’ve worked so hard for are now realized. While Bigby has narrowed his choice of schools down to Oregon State, St. Bonaventure, North Eastern and Hawaii, Marvin is keeping his cards closer and not revealing his decision quite yet.

Blessed with talent, support and focus, we know that these two young stars are destined for success wherever life takes them. And while they continue doing their thing, the legacies of “Weezy” and “Marvelous Marvin” will add another rung to the ladder for future Canadian ballers to climb, and ensure that the winning tradition of Eastern Commerce lives on.

Readers Rating: