Tigers win Jack and Joyce Silvernail Tournament, 5-0 Overall

The Championship game of the Jack and Joyce Silvernail Memorial Classic basketball tournament was a battle as the Pembroke Dragons, who have won the tournament multiple times, had no intentions of surrendering the crown. The Dragons dictated the tempo and physicality for most of the game, but in the end, the defense and scoring of the Tigers was too much, as they earned a 36-16 lead into halftime.

An unfortunate injury to the big man, Derren Brooks, the Tigers called on other players to continue to score. Leading the way was junior Benjamin Gerstung with 19 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals. Not to be outdone, Syras Jonathan (14) put in a second great game and earned himself All-Tournament Team honors.

Additionally, senior point guard Brayden Lamont contributed 14 points while demonstrating overall control of the game and phenomenal defense to allow the other Tigers to do their thing, too. Those efforts earned Brayden MVP of the tournament. 2024 was Akron’s first tournament championship since the 2019-2020 season.

In addition to playing great basketball for their many fans, the team was also able to raise $2000 for the Jimmy V Foundation and Hearts & Hands-Akron, while collecting boxes of toys for patients at Oishei Children’s Hospital. “Great job, Tigers, and thank you to those who donated,” a school spokesperson noted.

First round

At the Jack and Joyce Silvernail Memorial Classic, game four of the season tested the Tigers for the first time as they worked themselves toward the finals. The Tigers played a scrappy group from Buffalo Academy of Science Charter School and needed extra time to get the win. Trailing by three with 20 seconds left, senior Syras Jonathan nailed an open 3 to tie the game. After a defensive stand, the Tigers went on to win in overtime, 73-71.

The game produced the season’s fourth lead scorer for the Tigers. Slightly undermanned and with BASCS taking away the outside shooting of the Tigers, the big sophomore in the middle, Derren Brooks, went to work. Finishing with 28 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks, Brooks had the best game of his young career to advance the Tigers to the championship game of the tourney. Syras Jonathan (14), Benjamin Gerstung (9), Coy Patterson (9), Brayden Lamont (8), and Brodie Hill (5), rounded out the scoring for the Tigers.

Great shooting kept the Wolverines in the game, but the Tigers got the stops they needed in the clutch and the ball continued to find the open player as the Tigers registered 17 assists on 28 makes.  It was an emotional win for the Tigers as they were challenged early and often, but responded with composure… (Dare we say, just like Coach Jack Silvernail would have loved.)