Titans' Defense Shines in Win Over Braves

Titans' Defense Shines in Win Over Braves
Posted on 12/13/2024
Basketball

By Larry Moko

Practice, as they say, makes perfect.

"Our practices have only gotten better," Bishop Tonnos assistant coach Ben Kwasnik said following the Titans 59-45 senior boys' high school basketball victory over the visiting St. Jean de Brebeuf Braves Thursday.

Including that result, Tonnos finds itself with a perfect 4-0 record in the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic league standings. The Titans share top spot with the Cathedral Gaels, who defeated the St. John Henry Newman Cardinals, 60-51. Other games Thursday saw the ACMT Jaguars top the St. Mary Crusaders, 72-47, and the Bishop Ryan Celtics defeat the St. Thomas More Knights, 70-59.

"The games are one thing, but we've been practising for well over a month now," Kwasnik added. "They look so much better in practice the last couple of weeks than they did at the beginning.

"We're going to keep working. We'll be a tough team to beat."

According to Kwasnik, head coach Woods Brown has emphasized playing a strong defence.

"That has been our main staple the whole way through."

Tonnos, which led 16-12, 28-22 and 45-36 at the quarter breaks, connected on 11 three-point shots while Brebeuf sank only two from behind the arc.

Max Tapuska and Salman Alakoozi were the leading scorers for Tonnos with 14 and 13 points, respectively. Jeff Ramos netted 10.

Brebeuf (2-2) got 11 points from Neza Sefuku and 10 from Omaree Francis. Alex Iredale added eight points and Alessio DiGregorio had seven.

"We're trying to be the best in the league," said veteran Luka Pasalic of the Titans who tossed in seven points.

"We've got to play at our own pace. Some teams might speed us up but our guards Andrew (Anandapa)  and Jeff (Ramos) like to slow the game down, which helps us."

Brebeuf coach Jan Fajardo said the Braves lack of success at the free-throw line proved costly. In addition, he said Brebeuf's rotations on defence were sluggish.

"I don't know whether it was the cold outside, but we were sluggish in terms of rotations -- getting to our spots and finding the personnel."

Fajardo said it will be a challenge for the Braves to repeat as city champion.

"We weren't ready for them mentally," Fajardo said of the Titans. "As much as this game is physical and physically demanding, the mental is also a big part. That being said, we just have to be ready.

"The biggest issue we have is the guys playing together from the start to the finish and having the mind set of want to win the game."

The Brebeuf starting lineup includes Cian Calura, whose older brothers Jayare, Cale and Raef all won city championships playing for Brebeuf.

Sole possession of first place will be on the line Monday, Dec. 16 when Tonnos plays the Gaels at Cathedral.

Photos by R.F. (Bob) Butrym, RFB Sport Photography

More photos on the HWCDSB Athletics Facebook page

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