CALEDONIA—It’s back-to-back championships for the U15 Haldimand Huskies boys following a thrilling final against the Oxford Attack that powered the team to their second straight Ontario Cup divisional title under Coach Latrel “Trelly” Hinzey and Assistant Coach Frederick Owens.
That final game came down to overtime following Huskies player Nerraud Thomas sinking a crucial shot with just 3.5 seconds left on the clock to tie the game. “It was an amazing feeling,” said Hinzey on seeing that game extending shot land.
From there, the action went back and forth, but ended with the Huskies on top once again.
“Everybody chipped in. Everybody punched forward,” said Hinzey, who noted how going into that fourth quarter, Oxford held a comfortable 11-point lead.
Huskies program co-ordinator Andre Gulabsingh gushed, “I’ve probably watched 400-500 youth basketball games over the last several years; that’s one of the best ones I’ve ever seen. Win or lose, that’s exactly how you want a championship game to be.”
He praised the coaching staff for giving the team the fundamentals needed to go 4-0 in the tournament.
“They were in better shape, they had better fundamentals than these other teams, and they listen to their coaches and that’s the biggest difference at this level of basketball,” said Gulabsingh.
Thomas’ stellar work throughout the tournament, scoring at least 20 points and 10 rebounds a game, earned him the coveted Divisional MVP award. In that final game, Thomas was flanked for the entire game by teammates Josiah Amponsah and Daniel Kenney.
On the award, Gulapsingh said, “It’s well earned. He was the leader in all four games. Whatever his coach needed him to do, he executed. It was an unbelievable tournament for Nerraud.”
While the season ended in victory, there were some bumps along the way, with Hinzey noting a bit of cockiness early in the season following last year’s dominating 14-game win streak ahead of that first championship.
“They believed they were unstoppable,” said Hinzey, who noted that a loss five games into the season changed that tune. “That was when they realized there are teams out there that can beat us. As the season went on, we had closer, and closer, and closer games.”
That tougher competition helped the team learn grit and better strategy, with the rise in difficulty due largely to moving from Division 13 to Division 6 this year.
“The kids have doubled in size,” said Hinzey. “I saw a 6’7″ 14-year-old there. I couldn’t believe my eyes.”
The team overcame those challenges through a rigorous practice regimen that Hinzey called “super intense. To be honest with you, not a lot of kids can take it. From practice, I already know they’re ready for the pressure.” Gulapsingh praised the “small town club with big league talent” for their successful season: “It shows kids that they don’t have to go to Hamilton or other communities. If they want to play, compete, and win, we’ve got those resources for them right here at home.”
As for next year?
“I hope we do it again!” said Hinzey.
