By Larry Moko
The Cathedral Gaels made a statement in the final senior boys' high school basketball game before Christmas.
With top spot at stake in the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic standings, Cathedral convincingly defeated the previously unbeaten St. Jean de Brébeuf Braves, 77-55, Thursday.
That leaves both schools tied for first, at 6-1, in the eight-team league.
"That's definitely a talented basketball team," Brebeuf coach Nathan Bruzzese said of the Gaels.
Cathedral led 20-12, 44-29 and 62-41 at the quarter marks.
Josh Granger-Bigford paced the go-go Gaels with a game-high 22 points. The defending champions also got 11 points by Quinton O'Connor, 10 each by Mekhi Bennett and Mohammed Yusef, plus nine from Aaron Daly.
Omaree Francis, with 16 points, and Liam Acquah, with 12, were the leading scorers for the visitors. Connor Petry added nine points while Alex Balogh-Iredale chipped in with eight.
"Cathedral likes to run and gun," Bruzzese said. "And they like to pressure in the full court.
"We didn't do anything to make them uncomfortable tonight."
In addition to their success in league play, the Gaels have captured two tournament championships thus far this season -- McMaster's Pinky Lewis and Cathedral's Mark Walton.
Bruzzese added: "They definitely had a couple of bigger guys last year. But they play the same style of basketball. They like to pressure with full-court man defence, then get up and run in transition.
"They've also got guys that can knock down the 3."
The Gaels have already scored 100 or more points twice thus far during the 2025-26 league schedule.
Jacob Cordero is handling the reins as head coach this season at Cathedral.
"I'm really happy about the way we ran the ball and that we got the win against a tough Brébeuf team," Cordero said.
The Gaels coach said his objective has been to get the players to move the ball, make good passing decisions and play for each other.
"I'm really a big fan of teamwork and togetherness."
A key to the Gaels success is veteran point guard Granger-Bigford.
"With the head of the snake being Josh, we're coming in with a faster-paced game this year," Cordero said.
"Josh is our go to guy. When you need someone to get a stop, he's there. When you need someone to score, he's there. He's someone who sets the standards for the rest of our guys."
When Cathedral lost its only game -- against the Bishop Tonnos Titans -- Granger-Bigford didn't play.
Said Bruzzese: "I know we can play better and will continue to get better."
Elsewhere in senior boys' basketball Thursday, the Bishop Tonnos Titans topped the ACMT Jaguars, 60-35, and the Bishop Ryan Celtics edged the St. John Henry Newman Cardinals, 58-51.
Standings at the break are as follows: Cathedral, 6-1, Brébeuf, 6-1, Bishop Tonnos, 5-2, St. Thomas More, 3-3, Bishop Ryan, 3-4, Newman, 2-5, St. Mary, 2-4, ACMT, 0-7.
Photos by R.F. (Bob) Butrym, RFB Sport Photography
More photos on HWCDSB Athletics Facebook page
