NEWS RELEASE
ORILLIA LAKERS
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With 1:15 left in the gold-medal game, the IRP Industrial Rubber U11 Lakers boys basketball team trailed by three points at the IEM Tournament in Newmarket recently.
Though they had played solid defence all game, they were having trouble getting buckets as the Toronto Lords keyed in on the top Lakers’ scorers and packed the paint with defenders. After a timeout, the boys came out driving hard to the basket and Jayden Spezzano got one point back at the free-throw line after taking a hard foul.
On the next Lords’ possession, Lakers big man Cole Whitelaw made a great steal and sprinted past everyone, coast to coast, for the game-tying layup. After another defensive stop, Takoda Plett was fouled on a hard drive to the basket and made the winning free throw with 15 seconds left to complete the comeback and a 33-32 win.
Nathan Litherland led all scorers with 11 points, mirroring his outstanding play in the MUMBA tournament gold-medal win one year ago. Caden McFee was outstanding, leading the team in rebounds and contributing six points despite being double teamed for much of the game.
The Lakers opened the tournament by defeating the Thornhill Thunder 42-39, despite making only three of 28 from the free-throw line, thanks to 12 points and outstanding point-guard play from William Lepage. Hayden Voung and Bryson Shigwadja both had outstanding games, snatching every rebound in sight.
The Lakers then defeated the Etobicoke Thunder 44-26 with a solid defensive effort. Jeremiah McCall-McCarthy led the way with an inspirational effort while battling the flu and Kale Cherubin was fantastic on defence, leading the team in steals. Emerson Hoffman was outstanding early, dropping four quick points before having to leave with an injury.
The Lakers then defeated the Lords 45-34 in round-robin play behind massive efforts from McFee, who had 14 points and dominated in the paint, and Spezzano, who dazzled with his ball handling and passing while dropping 10 points.
The Lakers then defeated the Sudbury Jam 48-21 to set up the gold-medal rematch with the Lords in one of their best team performances yet. They easily handled intense full-court pressure by making great passes, which led to uncontested layups.
The Lakers are now 9-6 overall on the season and continue to work to improve before provincials in Niagara Region from March 27-29.
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