Written By Paul Garwood

Gillion Academy controlled the tone from the outset, opening the contest with a decisive 24–13 first-quarter lead and extending it to 41–25 by halftime. Their execution was sharp: purposeful ball movement, controlled pace, and consistent touches into the paint. Ft. Erie International struggled to match the physicality early, often settling for contested looks while Gillion dictated the terms of engagement.

The second half, however, belonged to Ft. Erie’s resolve. They tightened their defensive rotations, swarmed the rim, and won nearly every 50–50 ball. The surge was fueled by the glass—Ft. Erie out-rebounded Gillion 35–25 and turned those extra possessions into momentum. By the final minutes, the deficit had shrunk to six, and the building carried the tension of a potential late collapse.

That was the moment Gillion’s center, Marcis Ponder, steadied the game. Although he didn’t replicate his headline-grabbing performance from Boca Raton, his production was meaningful: 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 blocks, many coming in situations where Ft. Erie threatened to tip the game. It was the kind of performance that doesn’t dominate highlight reels but wins basketball games.

Gillion’s scoring core backed him with a balanced attack:

• Aaron McGee — 20 points

• Willie Burnett III — 18 points

• Aaron “Muse” Bryant — 10 points

Ft. Erie countered with multiple contributors, though no single player caught fire:

• Junior Jean-Marie — 12 points

• Promis N’landu — 11 points

Ultimately, the difference was established early. Gillion built a cushion, Ft. Erie clawed back, and Ponder ensured it never fully disappeared. It was a game defined by momentum swings—but ultimately decided by composure in the paint.