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MT Invitational recap: Rising stars

Published by Mike Adam on December 11, 2009

Scarborough, ON – For the fourth year running, Mother Teresa Catholic Secondary in Scarborough played host to the Mother Teresa Invitational, a junior tournament, that this year saw several of the top programs in Ontario come out; Father Henry Carr, Vaughan, Pickering, Eastern Commerce, Mother Teresa and Downsview, all converged upon the Mother Teresa gym; along with a handful of other schools including two top out of town programs, ACMT (Hamilton, ON) and HB Beal (London, ON). With a field like that, it goes without saying that the competition was at a high level all weekend. Missing one of their starting guards and stars, Troy Reid-Knight, the Vaughan Voyageurs managed to persevere, defeating Oakwood and Eastern Commerce on its way to a 51-41 over Micqueel Martin and Downsview in the semi-finals, to secure a berth in the championship game. There they met Henry Carr A, setting up a powerhouse final. The Crusaders, led by their “big three” of Tevin Findlay, Josh Bell and tournament MVP Tyler Ennis-McIntyre, had their way all weekend. They defeated all opponents by at least 15 points, including trouncing their own B squad 85-58 in the semi finals. To momentum they carried over to the championship game, coupled with a 28-point outburst from Josh Bell, proved too much for the upstart Voyageurs, who lost 90-73 despite a 20 point performance from Tristan Newman. The whole weekend was enjoyed by fans and teams alike, and thanks and acknowledgement goes out to Coach Bob Clement, Jason Gill and Richard Gallagher for putting on another outstanding event.

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME RESULTS

FATHER HENRY CARR CRUSADERS A - VS - VAUGHAN VOYAGEURS

90 73

JOSH BELL- 28 PTS TRISTAN NEWMAN- 20 PTS

TOURNAMENT MVP: Tyler Ennis-McIntyre (Father Henry Carr A)

2009 MOTHER TERESA JR. INVITATIONAL ALL STARS

1^st TEAM

Miqueel Martin (Downsview)

Filip Music (Oakwood)

Henry Tan (Vaughan)

Josh Bell (Father Henry Carr A)

Tevin Findlay (Father Henry Carr A)

2^nd TEAM

Lincoln Samuel (Father Henry Carr B)

Randy Oriakhi (D’Youville)

Tyrell Green (Oakwood)

Abed Emeron (D’Youville)

Shandon Mootoosamy (Vaughan)

Standouts players

Tevin Findlay- G- 6’3” Henry Carr Crusaders A- 2013-Findlay’s scoring ability is no secret and it was on showcase this weekend. Findlay showed a little bit of everything, his dribble drive is highly above average, and once he is in the paint, he is as adept at drawing the defense and kicking out or dropping it off to the open man, as he is finishing acrobatically at the rim. A fast player who seems to always fill the lane well in transition, Findlay is also comfortable beyond the arc; including putting up 5 three’s on D’youville. Findlay can lock down his man on defense, with his quick feet and long body. Just a sophomore, you would like to see him bulk up as he grows. At times he can fall in love with his jumper, which is only an issue because of how effective he is putting it on the floor.

Tyler Ennis-McIntyre- G- 6’0” Henry Carr Crusaders A- 2013-The MVP of the tournament, there is a lot to get excited about with Tyler. A defensive machine, Ennis will force several turnovers a game on his own; He always seems to be in the passing lane, which along with his tough on ball defense lead to several steals throughout the tournament. He also played good help defense and had some spectacular blocks. After getting the fast break started, Tyler can finish himself or pass it off no problem. An unselfish player, he has shown himself to be comfortable taking over the game with his scoring, or running the offense and creating opportunities for the other players on the team. Ennis already has one of the most complete games, and part of the class of 2013, should continue to grow physically and mentally, if there is one kid to watch from this tournament, it’s Tyler.

Micqueel Martin- G- 6’1” Downsview- 2013-Arguably the best player in his class, there isn’t much new to be said about Martin. A physical specimen, he is one player who truly can do it all. A common sight this weekend was to see Micqueel sky for a rebound, then sprint past the retreating defense on his way to a smooth finger roll at the rim. A pure shooter, he can stroke step back 3’s with ease, and doesn’t need his feet set to be a threat with his jumper. Most impressive is his ability to elevate the play of everyone on the floor with him. Particularly in the game against host’s Mother Teresa, Micqueel was held to 7 points in the first half. With the defense focused on him, Martin proceeded to come out in the 2^nd half and absolutely pick apart the Titans with his passing. Driving and kicking, backdoor and skip passes, it seems that every look his teammates got was an easy one, and it speaks to Micqueels’ ability to demand the overwhelming attention of the other team’s defense, in the future you would like to see him settle less for his jumper, and attack the basket with his quick, strong body more. Standing just over 6 feet at the moment, he should continue to grow into an even more imposing force. Certainly one of the premier talents in the country, bar none.

Josh Bell- G- 6’2” Father Henry Carr- 2013-The leading scorer in the championship game, Bell puts the “big” in Carr’s Big Three. With a big wide frame, Josh already has a man’s body for the game, and has shown that he is not afraid to use it. He will bang down low and use his body to get into position for rebounds and post scoring opportunities. Couple that with his surprising range, (he can take his game out behind the arc with ease) and you have the recipe for a scorer with a dangerous inside-outside game. Being that Josh is so big, especially for his class, you would like to see him commit a little more heavily to the down low part of his game, he can fall in love with the three point shot and will occasionally waste a possession with a quick heave. Even if he wasn’t such a natural scorer, Josh’s physical specs alone make him someone to watch.

Emmanuel Makuna- G- 6’1”- ACMT- 2013-A young, developing player, Makuna is already the clear leader of his ACMT squad. Not an imposing physical presence, what jumps out watching Emmanuel is his smarts on the court. Emmanuel’s decision making on the hardwood, even at this age is great. A skilled offensive player, Makuna always seems like he is letting the game come to him; even when his team is going through struggle stretches, Makuna does not force anything. He is quick on the dribble and can score in the lane in traffic. On the smaller side, Makuna uses his quickness and good body control to get to the cup and finish. Makuna is someone who’s game does not jump at you right away, but taking in a whole game of his, it is clear that an eye needs to be kept on this kid.

Tristan Newman- F- 6’2” Vaughan- 2013-Tristan is an interesting player, already long; Tristan should continue to grow into a good, wiry basketball frame. On the skinny side, Tristan is almost never the biggest forward on the floor, that being put aside; he possesses great hustle and a flat-out nose for the ball that allows him to pull down several rebounds on both ends. Tristan will get some put back scores, and he is also a good finisher down low, whether on the break or through a set play. He has good touch on the 8 to 10 foot jumper, and you would like to see him extend his shot further out on the floor in the coming years. Still growing and still raw, his natural talent makes Tristan Newman an interesting player to watch, in terms of how he is going to develop.

Honourable Mention

Kenrick Lewis- G- 5’8”- Henry Carr – 2013- A capable floor general, with above average decision making ability and passing skills. Possesses major range on his jumper, usually one of the smallest on the floor, but always playing the hardest.

Henry Tan- G- 5’10”- Vaughan- 2012-A natural scorer, great athlete and team leader. Tan can seemingly do it all on the court, run the floor, pass, shoot, drive the lane; He is a very complete player, the major question mark with Henry is will he continue to grow, or has he maxed out at the small size he stands at now?

Filip Music-G- 6’2”- Oakwood- 2012- Tall and long, good shooter with nice form, can create for himself and teammates.

Abed Emeron- G- D’Youville- 2012- Pure outside shooter with a quick release, plays at a high speed all game and can distribute the ball

Cameron Creightney- G- Dunbarton- 2013- Deadly from beyond the arc, with a scorer’s mentality. Desperately needs to work on taking care of the ball.

- CROWNscout-

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