Breaking Down the OFSAA "AAAA" Participants

Update:  It has come to my attention from an e-mail that Pickering HS, who defeated J Clarke Richardson in the LOSSA championship game, are currently under investigation for using an ineligible player this season.  So, put an "asterisk" beside that qualifier for now.

The Cameron Heights' Golden Gaels and the John F. Ross Royals will be heading to OFSAA next week with, to be frank, nothing to lose.

Both teams will be aiming at the fact that no CWOSSA team has advanced past the tournament's second round since 2007, when the Waterloo SJAM Highlanders went on a miracle run as a double-digit seed to capture "antique bronze" and fourth place at OFSAA.

Of course, at this point, even a win would be nice.

CWOSSA also has a six-game "losing streak" at OFSAA, dating back not only last year (0-4) but also to the 2009 second round, starting with SJAM's 106-83 loss to Windsor Catholic Central.  SJAM, who were seeded #10 that year, defeated #9 Ajax Notre Dame 56-43 in the opening round of that tournament.

Here's a look at the teams that will comprise the OFSAA field.  In terms of to be played qualifiers, I've listed the favourites.

Note:  J. Clarke Richardson was upset by Pickering in the LOSSA finals over the weekend, so even though they have been ranked as one of the top 3 teams in the province all season, they will not be making the trip to London.

Here goes:

St. Mike's (Toronto) - CISAA

Cameron Heights (Kitchener) - CWOSSA

JF Ross (Guelph) - CWOSSA

Collingwood CVI - GBSSAA

Loyola (Oakville) - GHAC (probable qualifier)

St. Thomas More (H) - GHAC (probable qualifier)

Pickering HS - LOSSA
Sacred Heart (Ottawa) - NCSSAA
D'Youville (Brampton) - ROPSSAA
Fletcher's Meadow (Brampton) - ROPSSAA
TBD - SOSSA
Holy Names (Windsor) - SWOSSA (Probable Qualifier)
Henry Carr (Toronto) - TDCAA
Oakwood CI (Toronto) - TDSSAA
Eastern Commerce (Toronto) - TDSSAA
HB Beal (London) - WOSSAA
St. Thomas Aquinas (London) - WOSSAA
Vaughan HS - YRAA

So, there you have it.  If I had to slot in where I think the CWOSSA teams would fit in, I would go as follows:

#15 - Cameron Heights

#16 - St. Thomas Aquinas (London) --- could potentially be flipped with CHCI depending on their quality wins.  CWOSSA comparison:  defeated CWOSSA "AAA" champion North Park 49-30 in the first round of the UWO tournament.

#17 - JF Ross

#18 - Collingwood CVI

Mark's Note:  Depending on who the SOSSA qualifier is, that school could also come into the mix with the above teams.  However, if it is a team like Notre Dame (Welland) I do expect them to get a little respect for their 4th place finish at last year's tournament, even though they were a #13 seed.

Interestingly enough, the Southwood tournament in Cambridge played host to two of those teams --- Cameron Heights and Collingwood.  Surprisingly, both teams made relatively quick exits, losing in the second round.  Cameron Heights lost to Barrie St. Joseph's, while Collingwood was upset by CWOSSA's Centre Wellington DHS (a team that JF Ross has defeated twice this season by double digits). 

Update:  Collingwood did defeat Cameron Heights in a "friendship game" at that tournament.  Also, the Owls do have a win over Welland Notre Dame to their credit, which may come into play should ND qualify for OFSAA. 

At any rate, being in the "bottom four teams" is not necessarily a bad thing should Cameron Heights and JF Ross end up there.  In fact, it actually gives you a better opportunity to leave OFSAA with a win under your belt.

You see, OFSAA is an 18-team tournament.  In order to get things to 16 teams for the second round, there are two "second round qualifier" games:

(Loser of #6 vs. #16) vs. (Loser of #3 vs. #18)
(Loser of #4 vs. #15) vs. (Loser of #5 vs. #17)

Of course, if a team can get hot at the right time and possibly take advantage of some favourable matchups that result due to upsets, then it's not out of the question for a double-digit seed to take home an OFSAA medal.

Last year, two teams ranked behind a CWOSSA representative (#11 Waterloo Bluevale) walked away with OFSAA medals.  The #12 St. Thomas More Knights took silver, while #14 Welland Notre Dame shocked everyone by ending up in the bronze medal game, which they lost to Vaughan. 

Sometimes, it really is all about the matchups.