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Here is a recap of a recent tournament in Italy won by a group of Canadian high schoolers made up primarily of Eastern Commerce players augmented by a few others. Thanks to coach Roy Rana who sent in this recap.

“Ontario Mission/Eastern Commerce International Champions”.

The Ontario Mission/ Eastern Commerce Club team accomplished an incredible feat in Canadian Basketball this past week travelling to Milan, Italy and winning the prestigious Junior International Tournament. The tournament in it’s 15th year is widely known as one of the top U18 club tournaments in Europe. This years edition feature squads from Argentina, Lebanon, Bosnia, Croatia, Italy, Turkey, Spain, Czech Republic, Macedonia and the tournament Champions from Canada.

Tournament Recap
Games 1-2
Mission opened the tournament with a hard fought 4 point win over Akasvayu Girona from Spain. The Mission team was showing the effects of jet lag but won 82-78. In game two the Mission squad found there legs and demonstrating the unselfish style of play that defined the team, beat Italian side Forti e Liberi Monza 86-64.
Hi Scorers Game 1- Adrian Tomlinson, Alwayne Bigby, John House 13pts
Hi Scorers Game 2- John House 19pts, Keaton Cole 20pts,

Game 3
KK Bosnia Sarajevo’s superior size was overmatched by Ontario Mission’s aggressive trapping and speed in transition, which resulted in a convincing 106-68 victory in the pool crossover game.
Hi Scorers- John House 21pts, Jean Paul Kambola 15pts, Alex Hill 15pts

Quarter Final
Ontario Mission defeated Akasvayu Girona the second time 93-76 in the play-off pool play. This was a very tight game in the first half but Mission took over in the second half.
Hi Scorers- Keaton Cole 20pts, Alex Hill 17pts

Semi Final
In the semi-finals Mission played Italy’s top U-18 team and Andrea Bargnani’s (who played in this tournament in 2003) former Club Benetton Treviso. With a line-up that included a number of pro players and a great deal of size, Mission used its speed and defensive toughness to beat Benetton 69-65 in one of the most thrilling games of the tournament. Always Bigby was a true force in this game leading the team in both points and rebounds and almost single handedly defeating on of the top club programs in the world with his sheer will and determination.
Hi Scorers- Alwayne Bigby 18pts, John House 15pts

Championship Final
The championship game was played in an 8000 seat stadium in Monza. Ontario Mission defeated the storied club KK Zadar from Croatia soundly 95-66 in the finals. Surviving the early ejection of Pg Keaton Cole, Mission saved their best game of the tournament for the final going 15-31 from the 3pt line and having every member of the team get on the scoresheet.
Hi Scorers- John House 21pts, Keaton Cole 14pts

Award Winners
MVP: JONATHAN HOUSE #13 - ONTARIO MISSION
Allstar 1St Team – ALWAYNE BIGBY #9 – ONTARIO MISSION
Best Shooter by 3: JONATHAN HOUSE #13 - ONTARIO MISSION
Youngest Best Player: MAURICE WALKER #15 - ONTARIO MISSION
Winner Dunk Contest: ALWAYNE BIGBY #9 - ONTARIO MISSION

Ontario Mission/Eastern Commerce
4 Keaton Cole PG 5’9 Eastern Commerce
5 Adrian Tomlinson PG 5’8 Eastern Commerce
6 Marvin Binney PG 6’1 Eastern Commerce
7 Tyler Murray PG 6’4 Eastern Commerce
8 Alex Hill SG 6’4 Eastern Commerce
9 Alwayne Bigby W 6’5 Eastern Commerce
10 Wayne Bridge W 6’3 Eastern Commerce
11 Adam Jesperson F 6’8 London Beal
12 Arnold Mayorga F 6’7 London Beal
13 Jonathan House W 6’6 Guelph Centennial
14 Jean-Paul Kambola F/C 6’9 Eastern Commerce
15 Maurice Walker F/C 6’9 Mother Teresa

Roy Rana Head Coach
Trevor Bullen Asst. Coach
Paul Duncan Asst. Coach

Notable Tournament Alumni
Andrea Bargnani Stella Azzura Roma Toronto Raptors (NBA)
Gordon Giricek Cibona Zagreb Utah Jazz(NBA)
Vladomir Radmanovic Stella Rossa Belgrade Seattle Supersonics (NBA)
Chris Quinn Team 7Up Ohio Miami Heat (NBA)
Jermaine Anderson Eastern Commerce GHP Bamberg(Euroleague)
Martynyas Andriuskevicius Basket School Sabonis Cleveland
Cavaliers (NBA)
Danillio Galinarri Armani Jeans Milano2nd Ranked European in the 88 Class
Luigi Datome- MPS Sienna 4th Ranked European in the 87 Class