Collingwood Cavs Get Early Morning Win Against Island's Belmont Bulldogs

Belmont Bulldogs  v. Collingwood Cavaliers

December 10, 2022

Written by Andrew Blackmore, Brentwood College ‘06

The atmosphere in here is electric. Okay, first of all, the Cav’s pregame war chant is intimidating. Akin to an All Black’s hakka this leaves the crowd with goosebumps. “ WE FIGHT. WE FIGHT. CAVS!” Do the Bulldogs tremble in fear? No, they appear to not be phased by these intimidation games.

Bingo Bango bongo, we have lift off. Collingwood’s number 6, Logan Albiani, gets the first basket of the match with an easy layup. There appears to be a slight height advantage in favour of the Cav’s but again the Bulldogs seem to care not. After a quick exchange of baskets in the first quarter the score is 10-5 Cav’s when, out of nowhere, the Bulldog’s #22, Thatcher Wigg, scores a silky 3 pointer to bring us to 10-8 Cav’s. Not long after, Cav’s #6, Logan Albiani, defies the laws of gravity when he stalls in mid air to not only draw a foul but also sink a jump shot and then converts the And-1. Three minutes left in the 1st quarter and the crowd are certain of two things; the Cav’s can move the ball and the Bulldogs can hit field goals.

With 2 minutes left in the first quarter Collingwood Coach Wong calls a timeout. The young men leave their respected huddles with the flame of strategy and tactics in their eyes. Not long after, the Bulldogs make a full court press only to be met by an impenetrable wall of a golden jerseys - the Cav’s defensive line. But defense is a two-way street here. As the Bulldogs #2, Trajan Chahal, absolutely stuffs a re-buttled jump shot. As we end Q1 the Bulldogs #5, Michael Adarkwah-Nti, drains a basket. Nothing but net to finish at 22-18 for the Cavs.

In Q2 now. A pass missed by the Bulldog’s forces them to leap over the half court line when #2, Trajan Chahal, in a desperate attempt to keep the ball from going over, gives it straight to the Cav’s who score a laboured lay up. Not long after the Bulldogs call a timeout. The huddle is all smoke and mirrors. Through the whispers and white board pointing I can only barely make out talks of defensive strategies. The rest is left up to the imagination.

The Cav’s really turn it on now. Cav’s #12, Avi Barha, shrugs off the defense with a sky hook basket where the ball may have skimmed the asthenosphere.  The Bulldogs pay no mind as they continue to grind on the offense. Bulldogs’ # 7 Lance Cabal scores a gritty basket in the key. Okay boom, he scores again. I can’t type this fast. As I live and breathe the score is tied at 32-32. We have a game here. Back-to-back 3 pointers are scored by each team, again tied at 38-38. The Cav’s then break the stalemate with a contested 2 points after 3 rebound shot attempts by Cav’s #23, Andersen Stewart. This guy is as determined as he is tall.

The Cav’s are starting to pull away as the first half concludes and the Bulldog’s coach’s frustration is starting to show. At the end of the first half the Cav’s are again in the lead at 45-38.

Q3: As we start the second half “Ice Ice Baby” is playing by Vanilla Ice. The energy and atmosphere in the gymnasium is bumpin’. After an exchange of converted foul shots on both sides Belmont’s #9, Jayce Tenove, drains a 3 pointer to bring the score to 57-45 for the Cavs. The coaching staff from Belmont remain enthused and energized as the Cav’s extend their lead. In an outstanding example of sportsmanship and spirit, Belmont’s #2, Trajan Chahal, is fouled to the ground but then helped up by the Cav’s. You love to see it. This is the kind of spirit this tournament is about. Belmont’s #10, Aman Parmar, gets fouled converting one point. One thing is abundantly clear, his delicious looking pink sneakers are something out of a cotton candy dream. The Bulldog’s trying defense is coming at a cost. Bulldogs #5, Michael Adarkwah-Nti, now has 4 fouls. Speculatively, in an attempt to keep him in the game, he is promptly subbed out. The 3rd quarter finishes with the Cavs in the lead 75-60.

Q4: It is the Final quarter and surprise, surprise Bulldog’s #5, Michael Adarkwah-Nti,  is back on after a little cool down. He looks ready to play. As this game is in its twilight the bleachers begin to fill with the incoming teams for the next game. More people, more energy. The Bulldogs refuse to go down without a fight with #10, Aman Parmar, sinking yet another 3 pointer bringing it to 83-66 Cavs. In an unfortunate event the Bulldogs #22, Thatcher Wigg, is slammed to the ground by Cavs #10, Finnegan Murphy. A hit that measured 4.2 on the Richter scale. After collecting himself on the ground, and showing tremendous resilience, he shakes it off and hits the bench.

With 3:34 left in the 4th quarter and the score in the Cavs favour 88-70, the Bulldogs call a TO. The sounds of defense strategy are rich in the air. Whatever was discussed in the Bulldogs huddle seems to be working. The lads in black are fired up and make an offensive attack. Bulldogs #5, Michael Adarkwah-Nti, makes a move towards the hoop and fires off a howitzer of a pass to #10, Aman Parmar, who sinks a 3 pointer. With 1:56 left in the 4th quarter another timeout is called.  Not sure who called it – multi- tasking and typing was never my strong suit.

The Cav’s lead is narrowing at 92—79 in the last minute. Nobody is quitting here. A diminishing timer means nothing to these competitors. With 12 seconds left the score is 94-81 and the Bulldogs call their final time-out, but it appears to be too little too late. In chatting with the Collinwood associate coach, Ms. Teresa Ross, post game she attributed her team’s success with “both posts working well together” and the Cavs “performing well as a team”. I have to say I am in total agreement.

Final score: Collingwood Cavaliers 92, Belmont Bulldogs 81

Big thanks for both teams coming out and to the referees and staff volunteers as well. Peace.