CWOSSAbasketball.com's top 15 of the Last Decade (*) - #15 Bobby Colorado/Ian Harriette

Decided to make this a co-"nod" for the 15th spot on my list.

Both had tremendous performances at least 4 years ago that are still discussed today. In my opinion, it's enough to earn these guys a mention.

T-15: Bobby Colorado, Grand River CI

Colorado, a GRCI grad (older brother of Jose & Adam) had a stellar career during his five years at Grand River. He was a good defender, consistent scorer, and flew a bit under the radar as a result of being teammates with Imad Qahwash. Still, he was a WCSSAA all-star calibre player in his own right.

Colorado and his Rens finished 2nd (to KCI) at the 2006 CWOSSA championship---advancing them to AAAA OFSAA. At that OFSAA tournament here locally in Waterloo, Colorado and his 15th ranked (of 16) Grand River Renegades had a very tough task in the opening round against the 5th ranked Toronto West Hill Warriors.

Colorado played what might be one of the more memorable games in CWOSSA history by pumping in 37 points and keeping his Renegades either ahead or slightly behind throughout the game ---- I don't think the lead for either team reached double digits at any time. As former Record HS reporter Josh Brown said, "Colorado was unconscious" that game.

Down the stretch, and with the local pro-Renegade crowd in a frenzy, the more athletic Warriors outplayed the tired Renegades and ended up avoiding the shocking upset and escaping by a 61-55 final.

To this day, it seems to be something that gets brought up locally every time OFSAA rolls around.

Colorado ended up attending the University of Waterloo, but elected not to go out for the basketball team.

T-15: Ian Harriette, St. Benedict CSS/Cambridge

Speaking of legendary performances, Ian Harriette's 2003 CWOSSA run has to go down as one of the greatest CWOSSA performances in history.

In those days, the tournament was an "8 team" tournament with teams being ranked and playing accordingly (1 vs 8, 2 vs 7, etc.).

Harriette's Saints were ranked #6 at the AAAA tourney, and as such earned a first-round date with #3 WCI (featuring a talented roster that included a couple of grade eleven rookies by the names of Jaan Montgomery, Gavin Horne, etc.).

Long story short (and I don't have the individual stats), the Saints pulled off that upset thanks in part to a tremendous individual effort by Harriette. And he wasn't done there. In the semifinal, against #2 Centennial (?) Harriette was lights out again en route to a Saints victory ---- and, in the process, earning them the first ever D8 AAAA OFSAA basketball berth.

The Saints would lose the CWOSSA final to a very talented KCI squad that year, though Harriette did keep it interesting until the Raiders pulled away late for an eleven point victory. Harriette's place in history, however, was solidified.

The upstart St. Benedict squad ended up heading to OFSAA at the bottom of the totem pole as a #18 seed. Although their OFSAA experience was unremarkable (they lost their second game by about 50 to #3 Cathedral), making it to that stage was quite an accomplishment and something that shows the guys playing today that if you get hot at the right time, anything can happen!

FYI - Harriette went on to play several years with Niagara College in Welland.


Updated List:
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#15 - Ian Harriette (St. Benedict) & Bobby Colorado (Grand River)