In the Metro Toronto regional quarterfinals, guard Arthur Alajajian scored 18 as the Scarborough Sir John A. McDonald Black Scots upset the Toronto Eastern Commerce Saints 67-61. The Saints (coached by Lou Sialtis) included Owen Officer. …………………………………………………… The Neil McNeil Maroons edged the Monarch Park Lions 65-64. The Lions included Ed Zainieryk. …………………………………………………… The George Harvey Hawks clipped the Earl Haig Haigmen 68-57. “We didn’t play well tonight,” Hawks coach Mike Katz told the Globe & Mail. Haigmen star forward Ranald Davidson picked up four fouls in the first half and was consequently essentially neutralized. The Haigmen were coached by Craig Williamson. …………………………………………………… In the last quarterfinal, the George S. Henry Lions edged the Scarborough Lester B. Pearson Bengals 50-47. The Bengals (coach George Cervoni, manager Steve O’Connor) included Roger Rollocks, Steve Duncan, Terry Victor, Pat Edmund, Farley Fridal, Kelvin Warner, Darryl Sampson, Mike Cummings, Adrian Walters, Joe Patterson, Basil Touissant and Ariff Dawoodjee. …………………………………………………… In the semis, Arthur Alajajian scored 22 as the Scarborough Sir John A. Macdonald Black Scots stunned the Toronto George S. Henry Lions 71-55. The Lions included Craig Hunter, Tony Sterling. …………………………………………………… In the other semi, the Toronto George Harvey Hawks defeated the Toronto Neil McNeil Maroons 60-42. The Maroons included Geoff Collins, Danny Sharkey. …………………………………………………… In the regional final, the Toronto George Harvey Hawks edged the Scarborough Sir John A. Macdonald Black Scots 57-55. Both squads qualified for OFSAA.
In the West regional quarterfinals, the Windsor W.F. Herman Green Griffins pounded the London South Lions 60-27 as Mo Soufan scored 15, Gavin McDougall 14, Rob Samuels 14, Ron Purdy 7, Mario Fochesato 4, Dan Fister 4 and Gavrilos 2. Pete Richards led the Lions with 10. Duff Trimble added 8, Thomas 4, Wilkinson 2, Panebaker 2 and Evans 1. …………………………………………………… The Windsor W.D. Lowe Trojans whipped the Guelph John F. Ross Royals 56-47 as Pete Lambropoulos scored 19, Gino Castellan 18, Tony Piazza 8, Frank Berardi 4, Dino Genovese 3, Brian Makaric 2 and Lloyd Dean 2. Dave Carere led the Royals with 12. Gary Fantin added 11, Pete Riley 8, Mark Trimble 8, Steve Frangos 6 and Mark Johnson 2. The Royals (coach Don Ranson) also included Pete Riley, Peter Waddington, Mike Parkinson. Royals coach Don Ransom told the Kitchener-Waterloo Record that “we just weren’t the same team (that won an earlier tournament). …………………………………………………… The Kitchener Cameron Heights Golden Gaels defeated the London Clarke Road Trojans 66-37 as Dave Kipfer scored 24, while nabbing 17 boards. Frank Naus added 14, Marcel Naus 8, Dave Moser 6, Andy Balogh 6, Glen Peters 6, Dale Barber 1 and Steve Douse 1. Golden Gaels coach Court Heinbuch told the Kitchener-Waterloo Record that “Dave (Kipfer) just beat up their centre and Dave Moser did a super checking job on their big scoring leader. I thought we got good effort from everyone but those were the keys which got us into high gear.” Chris Cavendar led the Trojans with 12. Jeff Farrugia added 10, Shawn Aslin 8, Ricky Jany 3, Mike DiLoretto 2 and Peter Agnelli 2. Trojans coach Bill Hurley said “we tried to slow them down with the zone defence in the first half but they were hot and their outside shooting was good.” …………………………………………………… The Brantford St. John’s Green Eagles nipped the Tillsonburg Gemini 41-38. …………………………………………………… In the semis, the Windsor W.F. Herman Green Griffins spanked the Brantford St. John’s Green Eagles 57-40 as Rob Samuels scored 21, Mo Soufan 18, Mario Fochesato 8, Gavin MacDougall 6 and Ron Purdy 4. Mark Polischuk led the Green Eagles with 15. Mike McCormack added 12, Tom O’Neail 6, Chris Urbanowicz 3, Rick Baldin 2 and P.J. Hnatiuk 2. The Green Eagles (coached by Frank Petrella) also included Brian Esbaugh. …………………………………………………… In the other semi, the Windsor W.D. Lowe Trojans edged the Kitchener Cameron Heights Golden Gaels 50-49 as Peter Lambropoulos scored 18, Tony Piazza 18, Gino Castellan 7, Frank Berardi 4 and Lloyd Dean 3, while Brian Makaric was scoreless. The Golden Gaels Andy Balogh hit an 8-foot bank to knot the score at 49 but Lloyd Dean was fouled with six seconds to play. He hit the first free throw and missed the second but the rebound fell into the hands of Lowe’s 5-10 guard Gino Castellan. Dave Kipfer led the Golden Gaels with 24. Frank Naus added 8, Andy Balogh 6, Dave Moser 4 and Marcel Naus 2. The Gaels (coached by Court Heinbuch) also included Frank Karai, Tim DeVrieze, Glen Peters, Danny Matlow, Barrie Hummel, Dale Barber, Jim Dimitroff, Bill Libbus, Steve Douse and C Thompson. Heinbuch told the Kitchener-Waterloo Record that “its so frustrating for the season to end that way because we did all the things I thought we needed to do today to win. Our shooting wasn’t quite as good as it should have been but the guys played their hearts out.” …………………………………………………… In the final, Windsor W.F. Herman Green Griffins defeated the Windsor W.D. Lowe Trojans 69-41 as Mario Fochesato scored 21, Mo Soufan 12, Rob Samuels 11, Gavin MacDougall 11, Ron Purdy 10, Gavrilos 2 and Pete Moise 2. Peter Lambropoulos paced the Trojans with 20. Tony Piazza added 9, Frank Berardi 6, Gino Castellan 3, Richard Holland 2 and Vic Marra 1, while Brian Makaric was scoreless.
In the South regional: …………………………………………………… In the quarterfinals, the Bramalea Broncos defeated the Hamilton Glendale Bears 67-51 as Rick Briscoe scored 19, Chris D’Souza 13, Donovan Thomas 12 and Gary Kynach 12. The Broncos led 21-18 after one quarter and 465-30 at the three quarter mark. George Rakas led the Bears with 21. Zeljko Ilic added 13 and John Wotherspoon 8. The Bears (coach Tim Dexter) also included Dennis Reynolds, Vic Bondonow, Keith Colley, Ken Taylor, Walter Waugh, Milan Sorimaz, Rudy Rodway, Terry Atherton, Tony Grilli and George Skirbic. Dexter told the Hamilton Spectator that “our guys weren’t up for this game. We knew we were overmatched.” …………………………………………………… The Welland Notre Dame Fighting Irish edged the Mississauga Woodlands Rams 48-47 as Bob Budgell hit the winning bucket with two seconds to play. John Mataya paced the Fighting Irish with 12. Mike added Zareski 11 and Bob Bludgell 10. Notre Dame led 14-12 after one quarter. The Rams led 26-23 at the half and 43-33 after three quarters. Greg St. Kitts led the Rams with 14. Richard Hasfal added 13. The Rams (coach Peter Kahro, manager Lance Strachan, manager Sandra Maylor) also included Lascelles Hussey, Jeff Kavanagh, Mark Flynn, Terry Bertrand, Carlos Smellie, Errol Codrington, Andrew Holder, Eugene Gibson, Mark Strachan and Pablo Robayo. …………………………………………………… The St. Catharines Denis Morris Redmen defeated the Hamilton CI Cougars 56-47 as Kris Moore scored 16, Dan Meagher 13, Skeeter Mower 12, John Lott 8, Paul Pollock 4 and Chris Cincio 3, while Frank Triveri, Tom Pennachetti, Lorenzi, John Janzen, Barner Bodogh and Mike Donnelly were scoreless. The Redmen trailed 36-34 at the three quarter mark but shifted to a full-court press and took command. Redmen coach Maurice Prindiville told the St. Catharines Standard that “Danny (Meagher) had hit hands right up in their faces when they shot but they got them away anyway.” Skeeter Mower was hobbled by a broken ankle. Prindiville said ‘when we got (John) Lott back in the fourth, we put on a spurt with a different mix of players. And even though Mower isn’t in top condition yet, it makes us that much quicker.” Drew Scott led the Cougars with 14. Errol Lowe added 11, Burr 10, George Milligan 8 and Kostysyn 2. The Cougars (coached by Mike Leedale) also included Rob Houston, Malley, Bailey, Parisi, Lowe, Garner and Cummings. …………………………………………………… In the last quarterfinal, the Hamilton St. Jean de Brebeuf Braves throttled the Niagara Falls Stamford Hornets 78-55 as Rick Muschi scored 24. Dave Taylor led the Hornets with 16 (also reported as 14). The Hornets (coach Bob Coull) also included Randy Field, Frank Greco, Nick Raseta, John Washington, John Pinter. …………………………………………………… In the semis, the St. Catharines Denis Morris Redmen defeated the Bramalea Broncos 55-54 as Dan Meagher scored 25, Moore 14, Pollock 10 and Lott 6. Redmen coach Maurice Prindiville told the St. Catharines Standard that “I’m numb right now.” Co-coach Eamon O’Shea said “there’s a lot of character on this team. In the past, they’ve had the basics but maybe not the heart. We set our defensive tempo and don’t blow anybody out offensively.” The Redmen led 16-11 after one quarter. The Broncos led 33-31 at the half. Rick Brisco led the Broncos with 20. Donovan Thomas added 13, Kynoch 8 and Chris D’Souza 3, while Green, Mahilum, Cameron, Van Dinther and B Thomas were scoreless. …………………………………………………… In the other semi, the Hamilton St. Jean De Brebeuf Bears dispatched the Welland Notre Dame Fighting Irish 63-50. The Fighting Irish included John Mataya, Mike Zareski, Ton DiEmanuele, John Roscitti, Bob Budgel, Tom Swik. …………………………………………………… In the final, the Hamilton St. Jean de Brebeuf Bears (then the Braves) edged the St. Catharines Denis Morris Redmen 55-52 in overtime as Rick Muschi scored 22, Paul Manning 14, Paul Rowe 8, Genovese 6, Coons 5 and Boyd 1, while Kastelic, LoPresti, Mason Bruzzese, Siulys, Infanti and Malcomson were scoreless. Post Dan Meagher notched a bucket to give the Redmen a 48-47 lead with 29 seconds to play. Braves Rick Muschi fouled out with 13 seconds to play and the score knotted at 48. But Brebeuf’s John Coons hit a corner jumper with 7 seconds to play and John Kastelic added an insurance free throw. The Redmen led 14-12 after one quarter. Brebeuf led 33-26 at the half and 40-34 after three quarters. The scored was knotted at 48 after regulation. Danny Meagher led the Redmen with 39. Redmen coach Maurice Prindiville told the Hamilton Spectator that “we had it won three times but we gave it back and they were good enough to take it. Honestly, we felt that we won the game, outplayed them and then gave the game back to them. We’re not a better team than them and they’re not better than us.” Meagher paced the Redmen with 38. Mower added 4, Moore 4, Lott 4 and Cincio 2, while Pollock, Triveri, Pennachetti, Lorenzi, Janzen, Bodogh and Donnell were scoreless.
In the East regional playoffs: …………………………………………………… In the semis, the Nepean Bell Bruins clipped the Cornwall Cougars 65-55 as Chris Jonsson scored 14 and Vilhelm Boggild 14. Rob Taylor led the Cougars with 29. …………………………………………………… In the other semi, the Ottawa St. Pius X X-Men defeated Whitby Henry Street 62-45 as Gary Sullivan scored 12, Tom Timlin 12, Bill Gladu 12, Tony House 10 and Terry Garrow 10. Paul Connelly led Whitby with 15. …………………………………………………… In the final, the Nepean Bell Bruins torched the Ottawa St. Pius X X-Men 81-62 as Jeff Grosspietsch scored 26, Ian Jonsson 21 and Chris Jonsson 19. Terry Garrow scored 18 to pace the X-Men. The X-Men (coached by Pat Jennings) also included Gary Sullivan, Tom Timlin, Bill Gladu, Tony House.
In the NOSSA playoffs: …………………………………………………… In the NOSSA semis, Sault Ste. Marie Lakeway clipped Sudbury Lockerby 65-54 as Gary Cormier scored 19, Eddie Furlong 16 and Romeo Pino 13. …………………………………………………… In the other NOSSA semi, the Sault St. Marie St. Mary’s Knights whipped Sudbury Lo-Ellen Park Knights 69-50 as Paul Blasato scored 21, Andy Barbeau 20 and Dave Patterson 12. …………………………………………………… In the NOSSA final, the Sault Ste. Marie St. Mary’s Knights defeated Sault Lakeway 55-44 as Paul Blasato scored 11, Dave Paterson 10, Marco Guiliacci 10, Andy Barbeau 8 and Enzo Dovigi 7. Romeo Pino scored 13 to pace Lakeway (coached by Dan Carmichael). Willy Greco added 13.
In the best-of-three North regional play-off series, the Sault Ste. Marie St. Mary’s Knights defeated Thunder Bay Lakeview 61-37; 59-55 (2g-0). …………………………………………………… In game one, St. Mary’s prevailed 62-37 as Paul Blasato scored 11, Andrew Barbeau 9, Dave Paterson 8 and Marco Guilliacci 8. Patterson told the Sault Star that “we got off to an awfully slow start. It was a scrappy type of start with plenty of early turnovers. In the second, we started working the ball inside and assumed control of things.” Alex Hamilton led Lakeview with 12. Alex Rocco added 12. Lakeview coach Lou Pero said “we were told what to expect from the Knights. I gotta admit it was a pretty accurate scouting report. We were told the Knights have got as far as they have on experience and quickness. Those two items did us in.” …………………………………………………… In game two, St. Mary’s completed the series sweep with a 59-55 win as Paul Blasato scored 15, Marco Giuliacci 13 and Enzo Dovigi 12. The Knights won it on two free throws apiece from Dovigi and Biuliacci in the final two minutes. Blasato told the Sault Star that “we were taking the game a little too casually in the opening quarter.” Dave Vidotta led Lakeview with 19.
In the provincial quarterfinals, held in Hamilton, the Windsor W.F. Herman Green Griffins defeated St. Catherine’s Denis Morris 53-45 as 6-5 centre Rob Samuels scored 18, Mario Fochesato 14, Ron Purdy 12, Gavin MacDougall 6 and Mo Soufan 4. Griffins coach Chris McCaffery told the Hamilton Spectator that “we got them to play man-to-man, which was what we wanted but we didn’t back it. We usually executive well again the press but nobody wanted to do anything against it.” Duke University-bound Danny Meagher led Denis Morris with 24. Skeeter Mower added 12, Moore 7 and Cincio 2, while Pollack was scoreless. The Griffins used a 19-4 run in the second quarter to take a 30-14 lead at the half, holding Meagher to two points in the first half. Denis Morris rallied to within three with 30 seconds to play but their rally fell short when Skeeter Mower fouled out. Rob Samuels hit two free throws and Mario Fochesato stole the ball for a runout layup as the Green Griffins held on for the win. Green Griffins coach Chris McCaffery told the Windsor Star “we did what we wanted to do. We made them come out of the zone and go man-to-man. I thought it would help but it didn’t.” McCaffery added that Mo Soufan had an off-game. Ron Purdy said “maybe we just got a bit shaky. Maybe it was the pressure of the game, I don’t know.” McCaffery said “it was one of the few times this season we haven’t executed against the press. Everybody was just standing around. Nobody wanted to handle the ball. They made a few steals from Purdy but it because nobody was willing to work. The Redmen (coached by Maurice Prindiville and Eamon O’Shea) also included Kris Moore, John Lott, Mike Donnelly, Frank Triveri, Chris Cincio, Paul Pollock, Tom Pennachetti, John Janzen, Lorenzi, Bak and Berner Bodogh. Prindiville told the Hamilton Spectator that “we just couldn’t do anything in the second half.” Prindiville told the St. Catharines Standard that “we came back pretty well and with a couple of breaks, we could have tied it. We were getting the same shots in the second quarter as we were in the fourth but we just didn’t make them … They (Windsor) just didn’t get cold.” The game was marred when Hamilton referee Len Wright suffered a fatal heart attack late in the first quarter. Despite medical attention, he never regained consciousness.
The Sault Ste. Marie St. Mary’s Knights defeated Scarborough Sir John A. Macdonald Black Scots 59-57 on a last second bucket by Paul Blasato. The Black Scots appeared in total command early, leading 14-6 after a quarter, 30-24 at the half and 46-39 after three quarters. Coach Mike Quigley substituted freely to give everyone a chance to play. But when the Knights knotted the score in the final quarter, and Quigley re-inserted his starters, they didn’t play with the same poise they had in the first quarter. The teams traded the lead over the final two minutes, when Paul Biasato scored the winning bucket with one second on the clock. Blasato finished with 15. Enzo Dovigi added 12, Andrew Barbeau 11, Marco Guilliacci 7, Nivo 4, Paterson 4, Tomas 4 and Pagnotto 2. Knights coach Loris Pecile told the Sault Star “we weren’t playing well at the beginning. But we came around. We started playing better.” Curtis Mascali paced the Black Scots with 18. Incognito added 8, Alajasiian 8, James 8, Guthrie 6, Verby 4, Pryce 2 and Mascaren 2.
The Nepean Bell Bruins edged the Hamilton St. Jean de Brebeuf Braves 70-63 as Wilhelm Boggild scored 25, Jeff Grosspietch 16, Ian Jonsson 11, Andrew Thuswaldner 11 and Chris Jonsson 7. Bruins coach Don Greenham told the Hamilton Spectator that “Chris (Jonsson) didn’t hit well in the first half but Wilhelm did. … They (officials) call it closer here than we are used to. Brebeuf got the bonus early in the first half and hurt us from the line. But they didn’t in the second.” Bell hit 18-24 from the line, while Brebeuf was 9-14. The Bruins ripped off an 8-2 run to open the second half. John Kastelic paced the Braves with 18. Rick Muschi added 17, John Coons 8, Paul Rowe 8, Sarino Genovese 8, Paul Manning 3 and Rob Malcolmson 2. The Braves (coached by Paul Keat, assisted by Roy Lance) also included Perry Bruzzese, Dale Boyd, Dave Mason, Steve Lopresti, Rimas Siulys, and John Infanti. Braves assistant Roy Lance told the Hamilton Spectator that the layups “just weren’t going down and right when we need them. … (the 8-2 Bell run) was just our defence. We’ve had those lapses all year.”
In the last quarterfinal, the Windsor W.D. Lowe Trojans thrashed the Toronto George Harvey Hawks 61-46. George Harvey took an early 10-2 lead but the Trojans, led by guard Peter Lambropoulos rallied back to a 15-12 lead after a quarter. The teams were knotted at 30 at the half but Windsor took command in the final half. Peter Lambropoulos told the Windsor Star that “I think that was our best game of the year. Most certainly, it was one of the best. Both of us played well, except we played better than they did. We played a disciplined game, didn’t get into a running game with them, where we could have got killed and we played good defence.” Gino Castellan said “they just didn’t play that much defence. And the way I was getting the ball, I should have scored 50. I missed some real easy shots.” Hawks coach Mike Katz said Lambropoulos “killed us with the 25-footoers. There’s nothing you can do about this and he just stood there and put them in all game.” Trojans coach Gerry Brumpton said Lloyd Dean “did a good job on George Harvey’s high-scoring Alan Pettigrew. … I tell the kids, just keep chugging away but even after we fell behind 10-2 and we had to go man-to-man on defence, we sat and waited and showed a good deal of poise.” Lambropoulos paced the Trojans with 26. Gino Castellan added 22, Tony Piazza 8, Dino Genovese 2, Frank Berardi 2 and Brian Makaric 1, while Lloyd Dean was scoreless. Aoin Pettigrew led the Hawks with 21. Mike Morgan added 11, Maurice Armstrong 8, Russell 4 and Tapper 2. The Hawks (coached by Katz) also included Dave Antoine.
In the semis, the Windsor W.F. Herman Green Griffins defeated the Sault Ste. Marie St. Mary’s Knights 58-36 as Rob Samuels scored 23, Mo Soufan 17, Ron Purdy 9, Mario Fochesato 5 and Len Rocheleau 4, while Gavin MacDougall was scoreless. Andy Barbeau paced St. Mary’s with 12. Enzo Dovigi added 7, Patterson 7, Paul Biasato 4, Tomas 4 and Gaulacci 2. “We handled the press better today,” Griffins coach Chris McCaffery told the Windsor Star.
In the other semi, the Windsor W.D. Lowe Trojans defeated the Nepean Bell Bruins 60-56 as Peter Lambropoulos tossed in 22, Gino Castellan 18, Frank Berardi 7, Tony Piazza 5, Brian Makaric 4 and Dino Genovese 4. Lowe was ahead 19-6 at the quarter but Bell rallied back. At 58-56, Bell’s Ian Jonsson missed the back end of two foul shots with six seconds to play. Tony Piazza rebounded for Lowe and was fouled by Vilhelm Boggild and hit insurance two free throws. Ian Jonsson led Bell with 10. Chris Jonsson added 10, Jeff Grosspietsch 10, Vilhelm Boggild 10, Andrew Thuswaldner 4 and Grant Lawrence 2.
In the final, the Windsor W.F. Herman Green Griffins defeated the Windsor W.D. Lowe Trojans 54-52. The Griffins took a 14-7 lead early on a series of buckets by Ron Purdy. But then Herman’s Rob Samuels picked up his third foul, forcing him to the sidelines. Peter Lambropoulos and Tony Piazza promptly triggered a 16-2 Lowe explosion to take a 23-16 lead. Samuels returned to the floor. He hit a dunk off a Purdy steal and ignited the offence. Lowe led 23-22 at the half. “I tightened up a bit. I’ve never been in trouble that early before,” Samuels later told the Windsor Star. Samuels finished with 19 points, including 9 in the third quarter. He hit an alley oop slam off a Purdy flip to give Herman a 39-38 lead. And then he hit the first three buckets for Herman in the fourth quarter. Lowe rallied on field goals by Piazza and Lambropoulos. Herman’s Mario Fochesato hit a field goal and two free throws to give Herman a 49-48 lead. Guard Len Rocheleau hit a field goal and Fochesato nailed a bucket after Lambropoulos missed a chance to tie it, putting Herman ahead 53-49. Mo Soufan later added a free throw. With 10 seconds to go, Lambropoulos called a timeout after almost fumbling the ball. Coach Gerry Brumpton later said: “I don’t want to call that a mistake. Lloyd Dean called it and I’d never criticize a player for what he did. Peter may have thought he had something going but Lloyd thought I could have some things to say at that point. And I certainly did. We may have lost a second or two in getting the call though.” Dean in-bounded the ball to Lambropoulos, who lost the ball on a Fochesato check. Soufan grabbed the loose ball to run out the clock. Ron Purdy led Herman with 12 points. Mo Soufan added 11, Mario Fochesato 8, Len Rocheleau 2 and Gavin MacDougall 2. Herman finished (38-2) on the season. Peter Lambroupolos paced Lowe with 19. Tony Piazza added 15, Gino Castellan 13, Lloyd Dean 4 and Brian Makaric 1, while Frank Berardi was scoreless.
The co-bronze medalist Nepean Bell Bruins: Ian Jonsson; Chris Jonsson; Jeff Grosspietsch; Vilhelm Boggild; Andrew Thuswaldner; Grant Lawrence; Anthony Stuart; Jim Turner; Scott Wilson; Mark Milner; Steve Loveday; Ian Kay; coach Don Greenham
The co-bronze medalist Sault Ste. Marie St. Mary’s Knights: Andy Barbeau; Enzo Dovigi; Dave Patterson; Paul Paul Blasato; Barry Tomas; Marco Giuliacci; Tony Niro; Joe Pagnotta; coach Loris Pecile
The silver medalist Windsor W.D. Lowe Trojans: Peter Lambropoulos; Gino Castellan; Tony Piazza; Frank Berardi; Brian Makaric; Lloyd Dean; Stan Dean; Nick Koutras; Vic Marra; Richard Holland; Tom Serafimovski; Dino Genovese; Ken Foster; coach Gerry Brumpton
The gold medalist Windsor W.F. Herman Green Griffins: Rob Samuels; Mario Fochesato; Ron Purdy; Mo Soufan; Len Rocheleau; Lloyd Dean; Gavin MacDougall; Dan Fister; Pierre Moise; Dushko Dimovski; Ed Minello; Steve Gavriloglou; Joe Korenic; Mike Lovric; coach Chris McCaffrey; manager Darryl Dunne; manager Dante Mannina; statistician Glen Bondy