Without further ado, here we go:
2010-11 CWOSSABasketball.com "First Team" All-CWOSSA
Stefan Cvrkalj, 6'4" G, Bluevale/Waterloo - 5th Year
Amjed Osman, 5'8" G, Cameron Heights/Kit. - 4th Year
Ryan Higgins, 6'4" F, St. James/Guelph - 5th Year
Alex Thompson, 6'1" G, St. Mary's/Kitchener - 4th Year
Shamlo Saeed, 5'10" G, JF Ross/Guelph - 4th Year
Stefan Cvrkalj, Bluevale Collegiate (Waterloo)
Particulars: 6'4" PG/SG, 5th Year
Next Year: NCAA D-1, Lehigh University
The 2010 Mike Moser (WCSSAA MVP) award winner saw his 2010-11 season get off to a "slow start" (from his perspective; he was still putting up 20+ with regularity) as he made his way back to full-strength from some (minor) nagging injuries. In fact, the Knights held him out of several early-season tournaments to aid in the recovery.
He poured in 27 points in a Silver Fox upset win over (eventual OFSAA AAAA 4th place finishers) Father Henry Carr from Toronto. During a two-week stretch in February, he was getting close to being back to 100% and posted three 30+ efforts, against pretty solid competition (32 - North Park, 30 - ECI, 30 - Grand River). Unfortunately for him, his career ended with an upset loss at the hands of Grand River in the WCSSAA quarterfinals.
Along with his usual slew of tournament all-star awards, he's received some recognition from all kinds of sources. He was ranked as the #4 overall SG among all Canadians (here or in prep schools) by flagrantfouls.com, and was recently annointed as a "first-team" all-Ontario performer and a "second-team" all-Canadian performer by thehoop-la.com. Pretty impressive stuff.
He leaves CWOSSA-area hoops as one of the top handful of players that the region has seen in the past decade.
Alex Thompson, St. Mary's HS (Kitchener)
Particulars: 6'1" SG, 4th Year
Next Year: Returning to SMHS for 5th Year
The athletic Eagle shooting guard starting getting some major (scouting) attention after his early-season Heinbuch performance against one of the top-ranked schools in the province, JC Richardson (Ajax). Though he hit for 20+ in that one, he also "successfully harassed one of the best shooters in the province, Aaron Redpath" (Flagrant Fouls).
That may not have even been his best game of the year, as he pumped in 28 points against Anderson CVI, one of the top teams in the province (AAA Gold medalists) with the Eagles leading most of the way only to fall by 1 point in that one.
Thompson excels in the up-tempo Eagle offense and would be well suited in such a program at the next level. Though he's only 6'1", he has an excellent step-back jumper and ability to create space to get his shot off against taller defenders.
Shamlo Saeed, John F. Ross CVI (Guelph)
Particulars: 5'10" PG, 4th Year
Next Year: Returning to JFR for 5th Year
Quickness --- that's the one thing most people think about when they think about Shamlo Saeed. He's an absolute gym rat (when he was a junior, I'd see him constantly shooting hoops after school as I helped a teacher-friend of mine coach the Ross junior girls team) and has consistently improved his game over the past several seasons.
He's not going to put up huge numbers as he's more of a "pass first" PG (no 20+ efforts in league play) but he has the rare ability to make those that he plays with better. With tremendous leadership abilites, a solid shot from outside (he's great shooting off the dribble as well) and outstanding quickness, we can expect to see him being recruited by a number of CIS schools next season ---- as he and his Royals seek a third consecutive OFSAA appearance.
Amjed Osman, Cameron Heights Collegiate (Kitchener)
Particulars: 5'8" PG, 4th Year
Next Year: "Likely" university but hasn't ruled out returning
Talk about somebody that blew up over the course of this season.
Osman came in to the year as a solid talent, and left this year as one of the best players in CWOSSA. He also provided arguably the most memorable CWOSSA moment, with a killer crossover in the WCSSAA finals that has garnered nearly 3000 total views (if you include the multiple versions) on YouTube.
Much like Saeed, he's not going to light up 20+ efforts every night (of course, with an offensively stacked team like Cameron he doesn't have to) but is a consistent double-double threat and for a 5'8" guy, has a knack for grabbing some boards too (9 assists & 4 rebounds in the WCSSAA championship game, for instance).
He garnered some increased attention at the OFSAA championships where he was referred to as a "hidden gem" by some of those in attendance. Despite his size, he's all heart and has the ability to make a difference for a squad at the college or university level.
Ryan Higgins, St. James CHS (Guelph)
Particulars: 6'4" SF, 5th Year
Next Year: CIS, University of Victoria (BC)
Ryan Higgins graduates from St. James this year as one of the more versatile players in Ontario.
Though you think of him as a scorer (six 20+ efforts in D10 play), he consistently impressed this year by showcasing the other assets of his game (like tremendous passing, for instance) at every occasion. These things weren't lost on the coaching staff of his soon-to-be school, the University of Victoria Vikes.
"Obviously Ryan has a big upside. He is in position to be a very good CIS player with great flexibility - he's a 6-foot-4, six-foot-five guard who can play positions one to three or maybe even a four depending on what we are playing," Victoria head coach Craig Beaucamp noted.
I'll agree. He's a smooth, heady player and was a pleasure to watch during his time at St. James.
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