Latest, Recruiting

Holiday Classic Recap

Published by Gilbert Muako on December 18, 2009

Toronto, ON- Eastern Commerce hosted its annual Holiday Classic which always attracts an amazing group of top programs from the GTA (Greater Toronto Area). The three day senior boy’s event was packed with tough match ups and fans witnessed an enjoyable championship show down between the Father Henry Crusader and the Eastern Commerce Saints- two of the top teams in the city. With both teams heavy on guard play, you knew the game would be fast pace and exciting. It was a close battle through the whole game with both teams responding one another’s basket. In the end, Eastern Commerce would miss their final shot attempt at the buzzer to give the Crusaders 57-55 win.

Championship Finals

Henry Carr 57 vs Eastern Commerce 55

Jamal Grennan 14pts Cameron Robertson 11pts

MVP: Raheem Isaac

Holiday Classic All Stars: Kevin Pangos (Denison) Aaron Emmanuel (Henry Carr), Anthony Ottley (Emery) Aaron Best (Eastern Commerce), Aaron Shadrach (Jarvis)

Standouts

Kevin Pangos 6’1” PG Denison-2012- Pangos is a young point guard with great leadership qualities. At a young age he shows maturity and understanding way ahead of his peers. He displayed amazing shooting touch and can stroke it from deep. He hits the open jumper on a regular basis. Pangos conducts his team well and understands positioning on the floor. He is always under control and makes the right decisions on the court. He is not the most athletic, and may have problems going up against more athletic opposing guards. Nonetheless, he makes it up by high level shooting and basketball IQ.

MiKyle McIntosh 6’6” SF Pickering -2013-McIntosh was good, as always the future looks bright for this young prospect. He was impressive on the defensive end altering shots and has good timing on blocks. McIntosh showed aggression down low attacking and finishing strong right through the defense. He kept an eye on the offensive rebound as well being active and putting back in missed shots. He even had an impressive put back jam. Already more physical than his peers, he will be scary player as his evolves. McIntosh should keep improving his handling and shooting.

Shane Reader 6’1” PG Henry Carr -2010 – Shane Reader is truly growing on us and also growing as a player. He has to be one of the most surprising players this season. Reader has the ability to handle the ball well with either hand, and is deceptively quick. An outstanding passer, Reader is an unselfish player who is always looking to create for teammates with his excellent passing and court vision. He has a good midrange jumper and can knock down the long ball. Reader should add some strength.

Anthony Ottley 6’5” SF Emery C.I-2010- There’s no doubt that Ottley was one of best all around players in the Holiday Classic. He covers all area on the floor, nailing outside shoot, scoring in the midrange, blocking shots and attacking the glass. Ottley is capable of putting up big numbers as he did throughout the event. Ottley has a solid build and long arms; he is good when going to the hole and finishing strong or above the rim. Some additional work on shooting would be helpful and attacking with left which he shies away from.

Raheem Isaac 6’2” SG Henry Carr- 2011- Again Raheem Issaac earns another MVP honor. Isaac was one most consistent performers in the event. He plays hard on the court and he fills up the lanes for easy transition buckets. Isaac has a soft touch behind the arc, he is a set shooter at the moment he will need to put in tremendous work to improve his shooting off the bounce. He will need to upgrade his dribbling skills and creating his own shot.

Kurtis Ethier 6’1” PG Eastern Commerce – 2011- Even though Kurtis dint see significant amount of playing time but when he entered the game he did show that he is a talented point guard who competes hard on both end of the floor. Ethier has skilled ball handling, good shooting touch and a smooth passing game. An interesting player to watch for.

Daniel Mullings 6’1” G Luarier-2010- Mullings is an extremely athletic guard with outstanding leaping ability. He appears thin at the moment but possesses surprising strength when penetrating to the basket and being a play maker. He didn’t have the best supporting cast so the defense would focus on him double teaming and putting Mullings in very frustrating situations. On the defensive Mullings’s athletism comes in handy especially on the passing lanes, picking off passes and taking it to the other end for highflying dunks. A solid guard, with the right teaching could turn into a surprising player.

Kaza Kajami-Keane 5’11” PG Pickering- 2013 – Watching Kean in action you notice signs of his youth when controlling the point on the varsity team. But you also can’t help but notice how impressive he really is at the position, how much of a leader he is and how bright his future is. Keane needs to cut down on leaving his feet to pass the ball (which cost him a good amount of turn overs) he also should not gamble so much on the defense. This young guard is one to watch for.

Aaron Best 6’3” SG Eastern Commerce-2011- An athletic guard with an effective slashing game. Best has length, and is very energetic. He hustles and attacks the boards. His shooting can use some more work. The lefty is a solid guard.

Cameron Robertson 6’4” SG Eastern Commerce- 2010- Robertson looks good shooting the outside jumper. Now a senior, Robertson is playing a much larger role on a talented Saint’s team. Opposing team should be aware of his slick shooting.

Readers Rating: