Senior Gemini building ‘chemistry and confidence’ as season develops

Tillsonburg Gemini forward Logan Almeida (centre) cuts up-ice during a shutout victory over Woodstock College Avenue Knights, Tuesday, December 17th on the Memorial Arena ice surface. (Jeff Tribe Photo)

Jeff Tribe, Echo Correspondent

The Tillsonburg Gemini senior boys’ basketball team’s 62-54 overtime loss to the Woodstock College Avenue (CASS) Knights aligns with with its pre-Christmas Thames Valley Regional Athletics South East season.

The 2-3 Gemini faced a tough battle, the game could have gone either way, and despite the loss, it demonstrated both growth and development.

“It’s a learning process,” said coach Benjamin Rickwood. “As long as you are taking lessons from the game, you can’t be too mad.”

The Knights led 15-12 after a quarter and 26-23 at halftime, before Glendale won the third quarter 14-10, setting up a frantic scramble in the dying seconds of a game closing out regulation tied at 53.

CASS drew first blood in an equally-intense overtime on an aggressive Craig Sutherland drive to the basket. He made the hoop, adding a free throw for a three-point lead with 2:52 to play in the extra period. Tillsonburg’s Lucas Sandham, who had 13 for the Gemini in regulation, saw what would have been a game-tying three-point attempt go in and out of the basket. Rebounding and pushing the ball, the Knights’ Jake Hawkeswood upped the lead to five with a pair of free throws, fouled as he also drove strongly to the basket. A subsequent Devonte Bennett drive and pair of free throws extended the deficit to seven before Tillsonburg’s Jacob Mogg broke off the run with a free throw after being fouled on an offensive rebound with 1:10 remaining. It would be the lone Gemini point, CASS rounding the final with a late offensive putback.

“Momentum builds and it’s hard to stop,” said Mogg, who apart from the outcome, was pleased with how the Gemini performed. “They’re a well-rounded team, so are we.”

“Just shots going in, shots not going in,” Sandham summed up, also citing the Knights’ ability to get to the basket. “Then we fouled and they got the bonus shots.”

Not a fan of OT, Mogg agreed with a proposed solution.

“Take care of it in regulation, don’t let it get to overtime.”

Sandham added eight rebounds to his points total, Peyton Hawel had 12 points and six boards, Mogg 10 points and four rebounds, Reid Cameron two three-point field goals as part of his eight points, Nolan Prefontaine six points and two boards, and Cohen Schott five and one, respectively. Sutherland finished with 24 for the Knights, Hawkeswood adding 12 and David Kennedy 11.

With the Gemini down early, Rickwood had been proud of their resilience and mental strength, staying confident in themselves through a tough and scrappy finish. Tillsonburg’s defensive work stood out as they mounted a comeback, along with ‘awesome communication’ and ball distribution in the second half.

“I was happy they were able to share the ball and get everyone involved.”

The Gemini were coming off a 53-39 road win over the St. Thomas Central Elgin Titans the previous day, Sandham’s leadership in evidence through what was a tight contest.

“Before we pushed it out in the fourth quarter,” said Rickwood.

A first-year coach, he admits to learning along with his players, focusing on building chemistry and confidence as the season progresses.

“And solidifying things we are already good at.”