OKOTOKS - The Holy Trinity Academy Knights have reached uncharted territory.
The Knights cracked the top 10 for the first time since moving up to 4A – the top level in the province — when they were ranked no. 5 in mid January.
“I was really happy to be part of a team that finally got a ranking in 4A,” said Knights guard Elias Ralph.
This edition of the Knights have come up together, many have played for coach Sam Aiello since their junior high days when playing club ball in the spring, including the Grade 11 Ralph.
“It’s certainly cool to have a good chemistry because we have been playing since we have been in Grade 8 and 9,” Elias said. “We know each other really well and it helps us on the court.”
Aiello said the ranking is a testament of the work his boys have put in.
“It shows how well our guys are playing together,” Aiello said. “And the depth that we have.”
He said to have the core group of players for club ball has paid dividends.
“It was my son’s (David Aiello) group of friends so I took a couple of years and coached in the spring,” Aiello said. “So they have been with our system for the past five years now and they just get it and work well together.”
That core group includes Riley Thorn, David Aiello, Noah Gutek, Easton Bishop, Mason Black, Ewan Fuhr, Miguel Yu and Ralph.
That cohesiveness helped as the Knights won the Winston Churchill Bulldog tournament in Lethbridge on Feb 1. However, they got a wake-up call in the final courtesy of the pesky Stirling Lakers, who happen to be no. 1 team in 3A.
The Lakers had a 37-31 lead at the half.
“They just came out with more energy and were hungrier than us,” Ralph said. “At half-time, we got mentally locked in and came out stronger… We told ourselves to be more defensive minded, know where the shooters are and always get a hand up.
“They were getting a lot of wide-open threes.”
Aiello said his squad wasn’t panicked at half – paving the way for the Kansas City Chiefs like comeback.
“We said, it’s a six-point game let’s not let it get away from us,” Aiello said. “I had a feeling they (the Lakers) were getting tired and we came out a little bit fresher.”
Ralph came out on fire. The shooter had a game high 30 points to lead the Knights to a 75-61 victory. That was despite getting in early foul trouble and missing much of the second quarter.
“In the second half, I played more aggressive on offence,” Ralph said. “I was almost less aggressive on defence, so I wouldn’t pick up any fouls.”
Aiello gave full credit to the Lakers.
“I think they are a really good team,” he said. “I just think it is our depth that allowed us to take control in the second half.”
The Knights went 2-0 in the round robin, downing the Chinook Coyotes 69-52.
HTA never looked back after building a 13-2 lead in the first quarter.
The Coyotes were able to “limit” Ralph to 23 points and 16 rebounds, so HTA started looking inside against Chinook.
“Chinook was pressing on our guards at the top around the three-point line, not letting us shoot or drive,” Ralph said. “We just threw it in to Tobias (Krueger) and he did a really nice job.
“He made a quick move and made all of his post shots.”
The 6-foot-6 Krueger finished with 23, making 11 of 13 field goals.
The Knights opened the tournament by downing Kainai 103-60.
Ben Leggett led the squad in scoring with 15 points.
The Knights played the Holy Cross Hawks in Strathmore on Feb. 3 but results were too late for the Western Wheel's deadline. HTA plays in the Father Michael Troy tournament in Edmonton this weekend.
"I love what that tournament is about for our kids and what it represents," Aiello said of the Michael Troy tourney. "I think it is important for our kids to experience -- the value of faith, hope and love this tournament is about celebrating Catholic education."
The Knights have won the tournament three times, the last time being in 2018.
