Gold Medal Winners

Monday, 16 June 2014 05:49

Oxford Attack pick up gold at provincial championships

WHITBY -- The Oxford Attack Under 17 Juvenile Boys competitive basketball team won a gold medal in Division 5 out of 7 at their provincial championships in Whitby over the weekend. The Attack were seeded 8th in their pool and defeated the 1st, 2nd and 3rd seeded teams’ en route to their stunning gold finish.

The gold medal finale was a re-match from pool play versus the Oakville Venom and became the best defensive performance by the Attack U17’s all season long; resulting in a 58 – 53 victory that was not as close as the final score indicated. The Attack extended their stifling 2-3 zone defence to pick up the Venom outside shooters and held them to only 2 points after the first quarter and to 9 points at half with the Attack netting 20 points at the break. Justin Elms was relentless on the top of the Attack zone all weekend long forcing numerous turnovers and his teammates fed off of his defensive enthusiasm. The Venom full court pressure defense and outside shooting picked up the scoring pace in the second half but the Attack comfortably held on with clutch free throw shooting from Elms and Elijah Whetstone as the Venom intentionally fouled for the final 2 minutes of the game. The Attack used their superior size throughout their lineup to dominate the boards and inside game. Lucas Van De Cappelle led the Attack in scoring with 16 points and 12 rebounds.

The Attack opened the championships with a tough 57 – 53 loss to the Venom in pool play. The Attack could not stop the Venom outside shooting but closed the gap late in the game to just fall short. Team captain and centre Nick Campbell was relentless netting 18 points and garnering 16 rebounds.

The Attack’s second game against the #1 seeded Grimsby Grizzlies determined which team would enter the medal round or consolation side for the remainder of the championship. The Grizzlies had defeated the Attack by 15 points earlier in the season and was the only team that could match the Attack in sheer size throughout their roster. The Attack played their best game of the season to win a hard fought battle 51 – 49. Ian Wilson nailed 3 huge 3-point shots while playing with an injured shoulder and excelled in breaking opponent presses all weekend. Jake Nykamp used his rugged style, played great defense and garnered numerous weak side rebounds from wing position on the Attack zone.

The Attack kept their momentum rolling in their semi-final game and easily defeated the Inner City Gladiators from Toronto 70 -56. Charlie Does led Attack in scoring with 17 points and Brett Trudel played his best game for the Attack netting 7 points from his reserve centre position. Noah Geene used his size and rebounded very well in this game. Christian Buchanan-Fraser also played admirably from his point guard position getting his teammates easy baskets in transition.

This was the second consecutive provincial gold medal for this group of boys as they also won gold last year in U16 and represented the 3rd provincial gold medal overall for the Oxford Attack Basketball Club this season.