Wildcats Claw Out Gold
The Chatham-Kent Wildcats Novice boys basketball team won gold over the weekend – Contributed Photo
It all started Saturday morning playing the Pelham Panthers. The game was a back and forth contest until the last 4 minutes of the game. With Chatham up 34-31 entering the final 4 they flexed there muscle and finished the game on 14-0 run to win the game 48-31. Top performers were Caleb Roberts 16pts 7 rebounds, CJ Roberts 11pts 5 steals, Braeden Byrne 10pts, 4 rebounds, Jaxson Baker 6pts and Jack Grochmal 4pts 4 blocks.
The second game in pool play the boys were up against York South Silver Knights. This was another hard fought battle as the boys struggled to put there opponent away all game but managed to win 31-23. Top performers were Caleb Roberts 21pts 5 steals, 4 players with 2 points each and Jack Grochmal playing great on the boards with 6 rebounds.
The final game in pool play was against South Simcoe Sonics. With this being there third game on Saturday the boys didn’t show much fatigue as once again they found there scoring touch, played great defensively and came away with a 46-24 win. Top performers Caleb Roberts 22pts 4 rebounds, Braeden Byrne 10pts 2 blocks, Jack Grochmal 6pts 8 rebounds, CJ Roberts 8 rebounds.
Going 3-0 in pool play the Wildcats finished first in pool play and would face East York Eagles in the semi final. This was another game that saw each team come up big when plays needed to be made. The battle went right down to the wire and the Wildcats executed twice on offensive inbound plays to secure the win 38-35 and a birth in the gold medal game. Top performers Caleb Roberts 17pts 4 rebounds, CJ Roberts 9pts 4 rebounds, Jack Grochmal 6pts 4 rebounds.
In the final the Wildcats would once again meet up with the Pelham Panthers. The first game they met was a great game and no doubt the final didn’t disappoint. The gym was packed with parents and it was loud as this game was back and forth the entire contest. With Pelham up 5 going into the last 4 minutes the boys had to mount a comeback. They picked away at the lead until the final 8 seconds. With the Wildcats down 2 coach Tom calls a timeout draws up a play to perform. The play drawn up doesn’t run to perfection but we get the shot up it misses but a great offensive rebound and put back goes in game tied heading to overtime. In overtime neither team gave up an inch from the field it was going to the free throw line to win this game. In an extremely pressure packed situation the Wildcats go 6-8 from the charity stripe and win gold 44-40. Top performers Caleb Roberts 18pts 6 rebounds, Braeden Byrne 12pts 4 rebounds, Jack Grochmal 4pts 4 rebounds 5 blocks.
Pictured Above: Back Row L-R – Head coach Tom Grochmal, Temmi Adefarasin, Adam Vsetula middle row left to right Gibson Dunlop, Cortez Rush, Caleb Roberts, Braeden Byrne, Jack Grochmal, Assistant coach Jeff Byrne, bottom row left to right Jaxson Baker, Christian Suffi(kneeling) and CJ Roberts.