Fighting Irish top Raiders

By Bill Potrecz: BP Sports Niagara - January 8, 2025

Will Benko has a new job description with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish this season.

The 17-year-old, Grade 12 student is now being called up to be a leader after a number of players from last season graduated and the speedy guard is more than happy to take on the added responsibility.

“I know I’ve got to step up and be a leader because we lost a lot of Grade 12 guys so there’s only a few of us left,” Benko said after netting 12 points as the Irish defeated the Holy Cross Raiders 65-37 in one of eight opening round games Wednesday at the 68th Annual Welland Tribune Basketball Tournament. “I think it’s just a big part of being a leader, just lead the Grade 11 guys.”

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Policella Homes new title sponsor of Tribune tourney

By Bernie Puchalski: BP Sports Niagara - January 7, 2025

The newest title sponsor of the Welland Tribune Basketball Tournament is a basketball lifer.

Forty-seven-year-old Welland native Vince Policella Jr. of Policella Homes, a residential builder in Welland and Fonthill, played basketball in Grade 7 and 8 under Tony Rao before embarking on a five-year career at Notre Dame. He suited up for two years on the junior team coached by Mike Rao and Dave Fucile and three years on the senior squad coached by Ralph Nero and Mike Beccaria.

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Hemauer and Pearcey named Niagara Catholic MVPs

By Bernie Puchalski: BP Sports Niagara - January 2, 2025

The Niagara Catholic Athletic Association senior football champions from Notre Dame swept the offensive and defensive awards as selected in year-end polling by the league’s coaches.

Everett Hemauer was named the league’s offensive player of the year while linebacker Breton Pearcey was selected as the best in the league on offence.

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Month in Review: December

Cole commits to Guelph

By Bernie Puchalski: BP Sports Niagara - December 19, 2024

Cole Stewart can thank some chipped front teeth for his football career.

His dentist was a mom of a kid trying out for the Niagara minor football’s Welland Tiger-Cats and she told him to go watch the tryouts while the numbing in his mouth wore off.

“My dad told me to go out there and I just hopped on the field. It was fun and I loved it,” the 18-year-old Welland resident said.

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