FEIA’s basketball teams fall short of nationals after strong season

Both Falcons basketball teams at Fort Erie International Academy (FEIA) ended their seasons with playoff losses last week, the boys eliminated in the National Preparatory Association (NPA) semi-finals and the girls defeated in the national final.

The results close a strong season for a small-border-town school that had won both its regular-season NPA championships and, in the boys’ case, pulled off an upset victory over a powerhouse just weeks earlier.

The boys fell 100-81 to Ridley College of St. Catharines in the semi-finals March 27 in Etobicoke. The loss came without Promis N’Landu, the Ontario MVP who was injured and unavailable. FEIA had beaten Ridley 64-62 in the Ontario championship in early March.

Anthony Ponga led the Falcons with 28 points. Ponga has committed to Cal State Fullerton on an athletic scholarship for next year. Junior Jean Marie added 14 points and Eli Jolin 11. For Ridley, C.J. Roberts finished with 19 points and Jaxen Baker 18.

The Falcon boys had advanced past the quarter-finals with an 85-75 win over Tri-City Prep of Kitchener, with Jolin scoring 34 points, Pierre Charles Yimga adding 12 and Ponga contributing 11. Stefan Illic had 24 for Tri-City.

The Lady Falcons lost the national final 76-58 March 26 to Royal Crown School of Toronto. League MVP Amelia Sow led Fort Erie with 25 points. Danyelle London and Lisa Sirgi each added six. Royal Crown’s Chance Berry scored 25 and Akelia Bailey 18.

The Lady Falcons had reached the final with an 83-63 semi-final win over King’s Christian Collegiate of Oakville. Sow scored 16 in that game, Kelly-anna Hyacinthe 14 and Sirgi 10. Cayenne Buchanan had 22 for King’s Christian.

Coach Handel Kipp’s Lady Falcons are expected back largely intact next season, with most of their top players returning. The boys’ program, coached by Kemy Osse, will lose roughly half its roster.

Stay Informed

Events, offers, contests, and breaking news, all delivered straight to your inbox.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Subscribe