Note: The First Team selections are in the post directly below this one.2010-11 CWOSSABasketball.com "Second Team" All-CWOSSA
Mike Pereira, 6'4" F, Resurrection/Kitchener - 4th Year
Ben Bankazo, 6'1" G, St. Mary's/Kitchener - 5th Year
Edem Ame, 6'0" G/F, SJAM/Waterloo - 4th Year
Cale McDonald, 6'1" G, North Park/Brantford - 5th Year
Mike Finoro, 6'0" G, Lourdes/Guelph - 4th Year
Mike Pereira, Resurrection CSS (Kitchener)
Particulars: 6'4" SF/PF, 4th Year
Next Year: Returning to RCSS for 5th Year
Continues to make huge strides in his development --- not bad for a kid who didn't start a game at the junior level. When he steps out on the court, he's generally good for double-digit points and rebounds. He's 6'4" but has a wingspan that's probably the equivalent of someone 6'6" - 6'7". Although no official stats are kept, I'd assume that he's among the CWOSSA leaders in blocked shots and offensive rebounds. With regards to the latter, he always seems to be able to find a way to "vacuum" in the ball on the offensive glass, and has great soft hands around the rim. Of course, he can also finish with authority, having put home several "and one" dunks during the season.
His overall skill was on display in the D8 championship game this past year, where he put home 20 points and 10 rebounds (including a key offensive rebound/putback in OT) to help RCSS to the victory. Not to be outdone is his ability to get things done in the clutch. His last second layup against St. Mary's in the aforementioned D8 finals forced OT, while a three-pointer in the waning seconds of a QF game in the SBCSS tournament against (eventual OFSAA AA #2) St. Basil from SSM forced OT.
I expect him to be a big recruiting target among CWOSSA players next season.
Ben Bankazo, St. Mary's HS (Kitchener)
Particulars: 6'1" SG, 5th Year
Next Year: Graduating (interest from Fanshawe, Guelph and Toronto)
Through the roof athleticism --- that's one way to describe his game. He had (arguably) the block of the year in the D8 finals on Resurrection high-riser Cam Gibbs when he met him ABOVE THE BACKBOARD for an (at the time) game-saving block.
Like so many on this list, he's continued to improve his game throughout his career. He's got great range out past the three-point line, but you can't get up on him too much thanks to his quick first-step. He particuarly excels in a fast-paced, up and down game, and came through with some great performances against "upper tier" competition --- 28 against JC Richardson in the Heinbuch, 20+ against Anderson CVI, Bluevale and ACMT among others.
Some of those key performances have put him on the recruiting map for several schools. He's received some post-secondary interest from Fanshawe, Toronto, and Guelph so we definitely haven't seen the last of his talent on the hardwood.
Edem Ame, SJAM (Waterloo)
Particulars: 6'0" G/F, 4th Year
Next Year: TBD (will attend university)
There have been a bunch of great Edem Ame moments in his senior career at SJAM over the past couple of years, but I think the one that will resonate the most with many CWOSSA fans (myself included) will be his "beast mode" performance in this year's WCSSAA semifinals where he poured in 27 points and hauled in 13 rebounds to help his #3 Highlanders upset the #2 FHCI Trojans by a 61-56 final in OT.
One of the best "inch for inch" rebounders & shot blockers that I've seen, a testament to his athletic ability. On the offensive end, that athleticism is on display with his ability to make some tough twisting & turning shots in the lane (again, allowing him to succeed against taller opposition) but he's just as comfortable spotting up from mid-range or the three-point line.
Ame finished the season by being named as a first-team WCSSAA all-star selection.
Cale McDonald, North Park CVS (Brantford)
Particulars: 6'1" G, 5th Year
Next Year: Toronto, York, and Laurier have shown interest
This heady 5th-year guard helped guide the Trojans to their second consecutive OFSAA "AAA" appearance this season.
He has great shooting ability (and I'm talking "parking-lot" range) and is able to combine that with his game sense to essentially take games over. In the CWOSSA semifinals against St. David, he drew a foul on a three-point attempt with the game tied at the end of the third quarter. He would go on to knock in four threes in the final 8:00 stanza to help the Trojans advance.
It's an obvious statement that he'll be missed by the Trojans next year. That being said, this Brant County all-star selection/MVP has a bright future ahead; he's received CIS interest from a handful of schools mentioned above.
Mike Finoro, Our Lady of Lourdes HS (Guelph)
Particulars: 6'0" G, 4th Year
Next Year: TBD; may return to OLOL for 5th year
Excellent shooter who can get things going in a hurry. Named as the D10's MVP this past season, and helped guide Lourdes to their first OFSAA appearance in over five years and their first OFSAA win in school history.
As I mentioned in my previous article about his MVP honours, he's a prolific scorer but doesn't just rack up the points against the weaklings --- he scored at least 22 points against all of the other top squads (St. James, Ross and Centennial).
He's a solid ball-handler and will be a solid PG at the CIS level. Though he has received some interest from several schools thus far, he remains undecided about his plans for next year ---- if he returns, Lourdes would appear to be the "on paper" favourites to retake the AA CWOSSA crown.
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