Canadian foe tops Albion in opener

Boasting plenty of height and game experience, Ridley College Prep of St. Catharines, Ontario bested Albion 74-41 this evening in the Purple Eagles season opener at the Can-Am Shootout held at Niagara Catholic High in Niagara Falls.

Playing its 12th game of the season undefeated Ridley, which has a front line of 6-7, 6-7, 6-6, jumped out to commanding leads over Albion of 24-5 after one quarter and 43-11 at the half.

“It’s just tough,” said Albion Coach Brennan Meakin. “It took us a half just to get our feet under us. It was our first game and we were playing a team that had already played 11 games and they were huge. They are just on a different level. It’s like playing a state championship game but it’s good experience.”

Tyler Rotoli led Albion in scoring with 10 points. Manwell Taylor and Scott Daniels both tallied 6, Tommy Mattison 5, Kory Reynolds, Chase Hall and Lamar Chambers 4 each and Evan Pappalardo 2.

Albion next faces another similar challenge against St. Paul’s High of Niagara Falls Ontario in the second round of the Can-Am Shootout at 5 p.m. Saturday at Niagara Catholic.