E.L. Crossley’s Matthew Kleinsmith was up to his usual tricks Friday night at Notre Dame in the consolation semifinals of 67th Annual Welland Tribune Basketball Tournament.

The Grade 12 guard chalked up a game-high 33 points to lead his team to a berth in the consolation finals with a 69-55 triumph over the Greater Fort Erie Gryphons. He is averaging 26 points through three games at the tourney.

The 17-year-old knows he needs to score for his team but he also focuses on other things.

“I like to move the ball too because I was raised on moving the ball and ball movement,” he said. “I also like to be a leader out there and teach. We have a lot of Grade 11s on the team and it is nice to teach them something new and keep the Crossley basketball spirit alive. It’s playing good team basketball and not just scoring the ball.”

The dynamic scoring is something that has evolved over time.

“I have gotten a lot faster and better thanks to training with Niagara Apex. I have gotten a lot better at ball-handling, my ability to shoot and getting the ball up quicker. I used to be a little bit slow on my feet and now I can get by guys quicker.”

Kleinsmith has also had success as a distance runner winning an OFSAA (Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations)

bronze medal in cross country when he was in Grade 10. Basketball has taken over as his primary sport.

“I have been focusing more on basketball because it is more of a passion for me.”

He started playing since Grade 3. He started playing travel ball with the Pelham Panthers and bounced around Niagara a little bit before landing with the Burloak Prep in Burlington.

Keep reading this article on BP Sports Niagara.