Game Recaps, Recruiting

Vaughan Voyageurs Maintain Elite Status in York Semis Win

Published by Michael Henry on February 24, 2011

Even though this game was the second York Region semi-final game, it solidified the understanding that this region is led by 2 elite teams. In the game where the other YRAA powerhouse, Dr Denison Huskies, won by 27, the Vaughan Voyageurs beat the St Teresa of Lisieux Lions, 72-24.

Contrary to what the final score may have indicated, Vaughan treated this semi final matchup like a marathon as opposed to a sprint. The Voyageurs were patient in their attack, choosing their opportunities as they were given by St Teresa. With a steady strategy of working the ball around the horn led by PG Henry Tan on sometimes extended possessions, the Voyageurs were rewarded with great looks for their outside shooting. Vaughan SG/SF Troy Reid-Knight, connected early on a long 2, as well as Tan’s 3-pointer stretched the Lions defense, who had no choice but to come out to defend the shot. Vaughn, with their share of players able to slash to the hole, punished the St Teresa defense on where rotation didn’t take place. Vaughan captain fiested on 6 first quarter points on that strategy, not to be out done by a thunderous dunk by Grade 10 player, Andrew Wiggins.

With all told, that first quarter set the tone for the rest of the game which saw Vaughan lead 23-5 at the end of the Q. Those 23 points that Vaughan scored turned out to be one less than all the Lions could muster, having not scored more than 6 points in any quarter.

The Vaughan defense was just too tight in this one, preventing the St Teresa Lions from really setting any thing up. Half court presses put so much pressure on the Lions’ guards that turnovers were in abundance. Being thoroughly in control from start to finish, Vaughan was able to rest their starters early. This allowed their bench, who did a pretty good job maintaining what the starters did, to finish things up.

The Vaughan Voyageurs took this York semi final, 72-24. This sets up a very intriguing final matchup between Dr Denision and Vaughan, for senior high school basketball supremecy.

St Teresa of Lisieux Notable Stats:
Jordan Marlowe: 8 points
Andrew Passalacqua: 8 points

Vaughan Voyageurs Notable Stats:
Cy Richard-Samuels: 18 points
Julius Antione: 15 points

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