New CASS kids on the block 4-0 in TVRASoutheast junior hoops

Knights Dylan Hircsu (left) battles for a loose ball. (Jeff Tribe Photo)

Jeff Tribe, Echo Correspondent

The new kids on the Thames Valley Regional Athletics Southeast junior boys’ basketball block have announced their intentions with an undefeated 4-0 run through the pre-Christmas portion of the season.

Last year, Woodstock College Avenue Knights junior wins of any kind were celebrated, let alone four in a row. What makes this year’s start impressive beyond the team’s undefeated status is the fact three of their victories came against perennial division contenders, including a 16-point victory over Woodstock St. Mary’s, an even dozen over St. Thomas St. Joe’s, and a narrow 69-66 decision over the Woodstock CI Red Devils.

“This year it’s totally different,” said 6’8” forward Lukas Mickevicius, an intimidating force under the basket, combining that presence with the ability to handle the ball and a shooting touch reaching out past the three-point line.

“We’re bigger and stronger than we were last year,” added coach Scott Awde, Mickevicius’ evolution from a tall, scrawny kid to a dominant player a case in point. The coach is pleased to see the kids compete hard as a team on defence, while admitting offence is still a work in progress.

“We’re having fun, having a good time. You work hard, you’re rewarded.”

This year’s roster is Grade 10 heavy said Awde, featuring a number of returnees. The Knights’ 4-0 start may have come as a surprise to some he agreed, although an early strong showing in an exhibition game against Brantford North Park gave him an indication they were much improved over the previous season.

“That sort of set a tone early. We’re good too.”

While the Knights have stepped up their game, Awde sees league-wide improvement, highlighted at an early-season tournament featuring the teams mentioned above, as well as St. Thomas Parkside, which currently stands at 5-0 in league play.

“I was blown away by the level of basketball.”

Tuesday, Dec. 16 the Knights closed out their pre-holiday run with an 89-49 win over the visiting St. Thomas Central Elgin Titans, paced offensively by Mickevicius’ game-high 27 points. Tyler VanMarrum added 17 for College Avenue, point guard Kameron Roos had 14, Greyson Padfield an even dozen, Easton Freeman five, Faiad Alezzi four and Dylan Hircsu, Declan Greig and Brody Martin two apiece. E. Marr had 11 for the Titans and J. VanderMaare added ten.

The game was a high-tempo affair, the Knights able to distribute minutes against a solid opponent which played hard and scored for the duration.

“I enjoy that,” said Mickevicius, pleased to see his team sharing both the floor and the rock. “I trust everyone on this team to shoot the ball.”

He, Roos and Padfield, a 6’4” forward with a smooth shooting stroke, play with the Oxford Attack program, adding experience outside of school ball to a group featuring a bunch of kids who play.

The team has built community said Roos, listens to coach Awde, tries to execute during games and continues to work hard in practice.

“No one is perfect,” he said. “There are things we have to work really hard on.”

Looking ahead to the Christmas break, Mickevicius was encouraging his teammates to stay active, working on their game where possible. The obvious goal says Martin is to continue to play well, finish first and have a good playoff run.

“Make it as far as we can,” said Roos.

And while the Knights are looking for continued improvement, they’re aware every other team is working toward the same goal, meaning they can’t relax.

“We have to keep improving every time, better every game so when it comes to playoffs, we play our best basketball,” Padfield concluded.