Junior basketball Raiders grow as a unit through Friendly City Classic consolation title

Delhi Raiders guard James Hamilton (right) brings the ball upcourt against defensive pressure from College Avenue’s Faud Alezzi.

Jeff Tribe

Advocate Contributor

The Delhi Raiders junior boys basketball team grew as a unit during a consolation championship run through the 2026 Friendly City Classic basketball tournament.

“Our defensive play improved, we competed hard against stronger opponents and players stepped up in key moments,” said coach Bryan Sweazey. “We represented the school well with effort and sportsmanship, kept together and played unselfish.”

The Raiders downed Stratford St. Mike’s 47-32 in the consolation final Saturday, Jan. 17 at Woodstock Huron Park, paced offensively by Evan Weber’s 25 points. Jayden Collens added 12, Maks Poirier four, Akin Eccleston and Deklan Ruitenbeek a three-point field goal apiece and Darrin McCauley two free throws.

Delhi had opened against the Woodstock College Avenue Knights the previous afternoon, suffering a competitive 61-42 loss to the Thames Valley Regional Athletics Southeast-leading team. The Knights’ offence was led by Kameron Roos with 16 points, Greyson Padfield added 14 and Lukas Mickevicius had 13. Weber had 13 for the Raiders, Eccleston and Collens nine each, Poirier five and Josh Sanders, Ruitenbeek and Jaxon Ford two apiece.

Delhi advanced to the consolation final with a solid 70-56 win over the host Huskies, breaking open a tight 34-30 halftime lead with a 17-12 run through the third quarter. Eccelston had a two-point field goal for the Raiders, Sanders and James Hamilton each a trey in four and five-point performances, respectively. Poirer added six, Collens 16 and Weber a team-high 37, including a pair of three-pointers.

Coach Sweazey hopes to use the positive experience to build toward the Athletic Association of Brant, Haldimand and Norfolk post-season. In particular he cited tightening up team defence while switching from different zone approaches to man-to-man, and valuing offensive possessions to allow the Raiders to control the game at their pace. Playoffs represent a whole new season and challenge, he concluded.

“But if we can prepare the right way and continue to play as a team, we’ll be at our best.”