Bantam Titans make a run at OBA championships

The following are results from the Titans Major Bantam Boys basketball team's run at the Ontario Basketball Association championships:

Game #1 Guelph Pheonix #2 vs. Sault Titans

Titans - 47 Guleph Pheonix #2 - 40

In a game where road legs were a factor the Titans committed 21 turnovers and the team from Guelph made sure to capitalize on these mistakes. The Titans were down the whole first and then received a boost of energy from Mike Melville as the Titans were able to pull the game even at the half. The second half the Titans were able to exert their dominance inside and pulled ahead. With many costly turnovers and made shots late in the game Guelph was able to keep the game close until the end.

Leading Scorers: Pat Turcotte 18pts 14rebs, Dave Glibota 10pts 5 rebs

Game #2 Sault Titans vs. Osgoode - Rideau

Titans - 47 Osgoode Rideau - 16

In a game where the Titans jumped out of the gates on fire the team out of Ottawa never got into the game. This was an overall team game where everyone top to bottom contributed and produced at a high level. This game had great results for players Matt Fitton and Juan Colicciho, this game allowed them to take their confidence to a higher level and set a tone for the rest of the tournament.

Leading Scorers: Sam Campana 12pts 10rebs, Pat Turcotte 10pts 8rebs, Matt Fitton 8 rebs, Juan Colicciho 11 rebs.

Game #3 Sault Titans vs. Stratford Sonics

Titans - 50 Stratford - 28

In a rematch of the bronze medal game at the Blessed Sacrament Tournament where the game was an overtime thiller, the same would not be the same in a game that was for 1st place in the pool. The Titans jumped out to an early lead where the tone was set early by Dave Glibota where he was able to get to the hoop and create for himself and others with relative ease. With 15 point advantage at the half the Titans were able to coast to victory in the 2nd half and prepare for their quarter final game.

Leading Scorers: Dave Glibota 15pts 3 rebs, Pat Turcotte 13pts 10rebs, Sam Campana 8rebs

Game #4 Quarter-Finals: Sault Titans vs. Centre Wellington Celtics

Titans - 41 Centre Wellington - 31

In a win or go home game and with the crowd support heavily in favour of the Celtics the Titans put in their best all around effort from beginning to end. From the tip til the final buzzer the Titans controlled this game. The whole team increased their intensity to win and their desire was evident and the Celtics were overwhelmed and could not get themselves into the game.

Leading Scorers: Pat Turcotte 15pts 12rebs, Sam Campana 13pts 9rebs, Dave Glibota 10pts

Game #5 Semi-Finals: Strathroy Jammers vs. Sault Titans

Titans - 49 Jammers - 50

The Titans jumped out to an early advantage showing off an all around game of outside shots and inside dominance. The first half was a showcase for Pat Turcotte who could not be stopped scoring 15 of his game high 26. At the half the Titans held a 10 point advantage. In the 2nd half the Jammers made adjustments and came out with a full court pressure defense which got them back into the game. By the end of the 3rd quarter it was a 1point game. Both teams exchanged hoops most of the 4th quarter. With less then 4 minutes in the game the Titans found it difficult to put the ball in the hoop missing easy shots inside and unable to convert at the free throw line. In the end the Jammers escaped with a 1 point win and knew that they were tested to the end and earned their stripes with the victory.

Leading Scorers: Pat Turcotte 26pts 13rebs, Dave Glibota 12pts, Juan Colicciho 7rebs, Matt Fitton 7rebs

Game #6 Bronze Medal Game: Leamington Cougars vs. Sault Titans

Cougars - 42 Titans - 41

In a game where the Titans looked as though they were distraught by being this position they found it difficult to get out to an early start by only registering 5 points in the 1st quarter. The 2nd quarter the Titans picked up their game and held an advantage of as many as 10 in the quarter. But late defensive breakdowns allowed the Cougars back into the game and found themselves with a 1 point advantage at the half. The second half was a back and forth affair where hoops were exchanged few and far between with what was defensive struggle as the ball did not want to go in the hoop for either team. In the end the Cougars were able to convert on their opportunities and once again the Titans did not and the Titans lost another heartbreaking game.

Leading Scorers: Dave Glibota 16pts, Pat Turcotte 14pts 8rebs, Juan Colicciho 6 rebs

A special note needs to go out to players Chris McAllister and Chris Fronzi whose efforts did not show up on the stat sheet but did not go unnoticed by the coach or those who were watching the games. Also, Brandon Corelli had a fracture in his foot and was unable to play still made the trip to support his team and did an excellent job of team the team morale high and taking individual stats. The Titans Major Bantam Boys team is a great group of kids who improved tremendously from the beginning of the year and proved their best at the end when it counted the most. The boys now have a summer to improve their skills and prepare to prove that they deserve gold at next year's provincial championship.

(Submitted by Thomas Cory)