After defeating Collège Notre-Dame 76-59 on Jan.18, the Lo-Ellen Park Knights head into the exam break atop the Sudbury high school senior boys standings.
After a tight first quarter, Lo-Ellen opened up a 15-point half-time lead, and went on to a comfortable, though hard-fought, 17-point win.
Lo-Ellen was led by stellar point guard play from Gr. 10 starter Quin Mazzuchin and his 20 points. Senior guard Dax Mazzuchin matched the young upstart, scoring 20 points of his own. Forward Ethan Scott dominated the glass, and added to the scoring with 10.
Earlier in the week, Lo-Ellen also defeated their southend rival Lockerby Composite, 88-44.
Lo-Ellen now sits at 6-0 in league play, with an overall record of 18-1.
Back in December, the Knights staked their claim as the team to beat by winning the Mitch Lalonde Memorial Tournament that included victores over Lockerby, CND, and a 91-62 win in the final versus Lasalle Secondary School.
Outside of Sudbury, the Knights have been making their mark, taking on and defeating tough competition from central and southern Ontario.
Last weekend, Jan. 13-14, Lo-Ellen travelled to Orangeville and won the Central Dufferin Dust-Up, beating Middlefield out of Vaughan, and undefeated Grand River from Kitchener. In the final, the Knights took on Caledon’s RF Hall and earned a convincing 70-56 win to take the tournament trophy.
Back in December, the Knights travelled to Collingwood where they scored impressive victories of perennial powerhouse Bradford, as well as Owen Sound, before losing their only game of the season to Joan of Arc out of Toronto.
“These are the results we envisioned when we put this team together back in the fall,” said Head Coach Kyle Beers. “Our team is 13 players deep, with size, shooting and dynamic scoring. Our goals from the start are to win cities, NOSSA, and make some noise at OFSAA.”
In his first year at Lo-Ellen, Beers has “put his thumbprint of defensive intensity and confidence,” said Asst. Coach Mac Bertrand. “He brought with him a championship pedigree. He believes that we can beat anyone that is put in front of us, and his belief is infectious.”
That said, it’s the players that both coaches attribute to the results.
“This team is awesome,” Beers stated. “We have great depth, and we count on everyone to contribute. Our practices are as competitive as our games.”
Stand-outs this year include the team’s leading scorer and best defensive player, Dax Mazzuchin.
Mazzuchin’s quiet but intense leadership set the tone from day one. Every game the team goes into, they know we have the best player on the floor.
Senior forward Ethan Scott returned from injury after the Christmas break and has been a rebounding machine. Last weekend in Dufferin, his shooting touch came back and he was unstoppable, earning tournament MVP honours.
Not to be outdone by his older brother, Gr. 11 Adam Scott has emerged as the team’s second leading scorer. The younger Scott “has been a revelation, lighting teams up with his shooting and athleticism,” said Beers. Scott had to sit out the CND game with an ankle injury, but is looking forward to getting back to action after exams.
All that praise aside, both coaches believe the team still needs to get better to realize their goals. “We have a month until playoffs and we have a lot of work to do. We are all committed to putting in the work and seeing how far we can go,” said Beers.
Mac Bertrand coaches basketball at Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School.
