The U-16 Boys opened up the Star Opener Tip-off Tournament with a rematch against the Westside A team, a team that consisting of grade 12’s
and a sprinkle of 11’s and 10’s. The teams played each other last week in a exhibition game with Westside prevailing 84-40. The Jr. Dinos answered with hard play as they competed and outworked the opposition creating a very entertaining game. The final score was a 66-55 win for Westside. The Jr. Dino’s have shown that they can compete with older club teams and their hard work ethic is second to no one. Top scorers for the Dinos were Chris Loubardeas with 11 points and 9 rebounds, 6 steals, while Tyson Kwasney added 10 points, 4 rebounds, Connor Curran with 8 points and 7 rebounds, and Adam Zywotkiewicz had 8 rebounds.

Saturday the U-16 Boys began with a very early morning game against the Foothills Falcons B Team. Right from the opening tip-off the Dino’s were off and running and had their most productive game of the year. Their hard work over the last few weeks has began to show on the court with the Dino’s winning their first game of the year 86-44. The top scorers included 2 players posting double/double’s: Jesse Denscombe with 11 points and 20 rebounds and Connor Curran with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Other top scorers for the team were Fraser Wayne with 12 points, and Ben Bertolami with 11 points.

The team then played in the afternoon against a very strong and quick team out of Cochrane. The opposition ran very well throughout the opening
half, and with continuous fast breaks were able to hold onto the lead throughout the 1st half. Finally the Dino’s were able to match the speed
of their opposition and their overall conditioning seemed to be the difference in the 2nd half as the Cochrane team began to run out of energy. The Final score was in favour of the Jr. Dino’s 73-58. Top performers for the Dino’s were Ben Bertolami with 22 points 12 rebounds, Fraser Wayne with 13 points 7 rebounds and Chris Loubardeas with 11 points. Adam Zywotkiewicz had 8 points and 16 rebounds.

The U-16 boys had 1 more match up for the consolation side final that matched them up with the Falcons A team which consisted of grade 12’s
and 11’s with a couple of 10’s. The Dino’s with their high tempo and hard work ethic through the first 3 games showed that they are human and
the energy level throughout the team was very low and their recovery was not enough as a result the Falcons won the contest 71-51. Top performers for the Dino’s were Tyson Kwasney with 9 points and 6 rebounds, Alex Daum with 8 points and 8 rebounds, Fraser Wayne and Ben
Bertolami each with 8 points.

A very good tournament for the team as their hard work is beginning to show on the court with their next test the Selects Basketball Tournament
which will be run May 19-20.

By Coach Randy Peron