The Redeemer Royals Men's Basketball team opened the season with a exclamation, toppling the CCAA Championship Host, Humber Hawks. After a tight match throughout, a handful of key defensive plays for the Royals proved to be the difference as Redeemer defeated the visitors 91-86.
23 lead changes and 16 ties was the story on opening night. The largest lead for either team all night was 5 points as both heavyweight teams battled it out for 40 straight minutes. Both teams entered the season with high expectations and Friday night's match proved to be the case, each team determined to start the season off right. In the end, a pair of key defensive plays down the stretch for the Royals and a number of clutch free-throws was the only thing that separated both teams.
With the game so evenly matched, the difference may have been the home crowd for the Royals. While the Royals are known for their fans and great atmosphere, Friday night seemed to be on a different level. A sold out night, with not even standing room, provided the energy the Royals needed to keep pushing right till the end. A defining noise every time the Royals scored a bucket, home team advantage was on display Friday night.
Spencer Kerssies led the way for the Royals with his first double-double of the season. Kerssies had 21 points and 15 rebounds. Newcomer
William Lara-Caston had 16 points in his debut for Redeemer while Jacob Vanderpol added 13 points.
Fowzi Mohamoud had a game-high 24 points for the Hawks.
After defeating the Hawks for the first time in program history in the Fall of 2017, the Royals have gone on to win 4 of 6 against Humber since, including Friday night's win.
The Royals will now have a week off before a busy stretch. Redeemer travels down the road next Friday for a tilt against the Mohawk Mountaineers. Mohawk dropped their opener Friday night to the St. Clair Saints, 93-85. Redeemer will then have a quick turnaround, hosting the Conestoga Condors on Tuesday October 28th and then the Lambton Lions November 1st.
Men's Basketball - Redeemer vs Humber 10.19.2019
