By Larry Moko
The high school basketball careers of six Cathedral players officially came to an end on Thursday.
The playing eligibility of Grade 13 student/athletes Josh Granger-Bigford, Mohamed Yusuf Mohamed, Aaron Daly, Samuel Wleh, Juleyen Fafard-Butler and Michael Kajcsaracz concluded on home court with a regional playoff defeat.
The two-time defending champion Gaels bowed out with an 88-78 loss to Milton's St. Francis Xavier Knights in the Golden Horseshoe Athletic Conference AAA final.
"We're two of the top five teams in the province and only one of us can go to OFSAA," Xavier coach Corey Tennier said.
The Knights, who are 26-5 overall, punched their ticket to the provincial AAA tournament which is scheduled for March 9-11 in London.
It was the fourth meeting of the season -- including tournaments -- between the two schools.
"We're now 2-and-2 against Cathedral," Tennier said.
Most recently, the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic league representatives topped the Knights in the semifinal round of the All-Catholic Classic in St. Catharines.
"It sucks to end it on a loss, especially if you have like a 20-game winning streak," guard Granger-Bigford said.
Cathedral was first in league standings (13-1) prior to its playoff victories over the ACMT Jaguars, Bishop Tonnos Titans and Bishop Ryan Celtics. The Gaels also won five tournaments.
Granger-Bigford, who has been named Most Valuable Player at numerous competitions wearing Cathedral colours, scored 20 points against the Knights. Quinton O'Connor had 18, while Mekhi Bennett and Daly chipped in with 12 apiece.
Jayden Fagbohunka and Kaiden Holmes netted 20 and 18 points, respectively for Xavier. Ebrahim Ziyaden added 16 while Andrew Leukam and Gabriel Camayo contributed 15 each.
"They are shot makers," Gaels coach Jacob Cordero said of the young Knights. "They hit shots and control the ball well."
Cordero said the Gaels' performance was not up to their standards in the first half, but in the second half they adjusted and turned it on. The home team trailed by as many as 17 points before narrowing the gap to one in the fourth quarter.
"We almost made a beautiful comeback," he said. "Until we switched, it was just playing 'hero ball' that made us struggle. I'm proud of the guys."
Several of the seniors are currently considering collegiate basketball offers.
Photos by R.F. (Bob) Butrym, RFB Sport Photography
More photos on HWCDSB Athletics Facebook page
