Standard tourney tips off today

16 teams begin quest for basketball gold

Sixteen teams hit the hardwood today for opening of the 57th Standard Boys High School Basketball Tournament.

Qualifying-round action in the four-day showcase take place with doubleheaders at two venues in St. Catharines, as well as Pelham and Thorold.

Of the top four seeds, only the second-ranked Governor Simcoe Redcoats tip off the tournament on their home court. Their 1 p.m. buyout game against the Laura Secord Patriots is followed by the defending consolation champion Greater Fort Erie Gryphons taking on the Ridley Tigers, beginning at 2:30 p.m.

In a 3 p.m. tipoff at Thorold Secondary School, the top-seeded Saint Francis Phoenix begin defence of their championship against the Niagara Christian Navigators. The 1 p.m. game has the Thorold Golden Eagles hosting the Sir Winston Churchill Bulldogs.

Games at E.L. Crossley in Pelham have the host Cyclone playing the Eden Flyers, 1 p.m.; and No. 3 seed Blessed Trinity Thunder versus the Lakeshore Catholic Gators at 2:30 p.m.

The fourth-seeded Denis Morris Reds play the host Raiders in a 1:15 p.m. buyout at Holy Cross. In the 2:45 p.m. tipoff, it’s the St. Catharines Collegiate Saints taking the floor against the Welland Centennial Cougars.

The tournament wraps up Friday with a championship doubleheader at St. Catharines Collegiate. Consolation final tips off at 5:30 p.m.; championship game, 7:45 p.m.

Student admission for all games is $2. Adult admission is $3 on the first two days, increasing to $5 for the semifinal round at Ridley College and the finals at St. Catharines Collegiate.