Boys' Season Arrives / Mark's CWOSSA Top Teams & Recruits

The start of November here in the CWOSSA region can only mean one thing --- the "official" start date of boys basketball tryouts.

Of course, we're nowhere done with the fall season as volleyball and football playoffs are about to start up, while still others are involved in cross country's OFSAA this weekend.

Nonetheless, it's never too early to start looking ahead.  Here's a quick "mini preview" looking at the top 5 Senior Boys teams (in my opinion) around CWOSSA entering the 2011-12 season: 

Mark's Preseason Top 5 Sr. Boys Teams

#1  JF Ross CVI – Guelph

Advantage:  Experience --- the Royals have “been there before”, having won the past few D10 titles and also having qualified for OFSAA the past two seasons. 

Disadvantage:  Not having the edge of being “under the radar” anymore; everyone will be expecting them as one of CWOSSA’s OFSAA representatives this year.

Key Players:  Shamlo Saeed (5'10" PG), Evan Karl (6'4" F), Mike Friesen (6'3" SG)

#2 Resurrection CSS – Kitchener

Advantage:  Size (3 forward positions 6’4” through 6’7”) and Bench Depth (can go 10 deep with limited dropoff).

Disadvantage:  Having to battle (again) with St. Mary’s just for the right to go to CWOSSA; the Eagles will be itching for revenge after dropping last year’s OT heartbreaker.  

Key Players:  Mike Pereira (6'4" F), Tyler Schneider (6'2" PG/SG), Cory Kenning (6'7" PF)

#3 St. Mary’s HS – Kitchener

Advantage:  Good guard play and depth at the 1 and 2 --- especially with solid junior crew moving up.

Disadvantage:  Will be a bit undersized (especially compared to some senior teams out there) unless they decide to bring Mike Blumel up from junior.

Key Players:  Alex Thompson (6'1" G), Isaac Lance (6'1" G), Adam Voll (6'6" F)

#4 Forest Heights CI – Kitchener

Advantage:  Guard play.  Arguably the best backcourt in CWOSSA with Juwan Miller and Javon Masters, who will keep them competitive with anyone.  Added in more backcourt depth via Adrian Russell (transfer/Resurrection CSS).

Disadvantage:  Lack of size and playoff experience.  Most of the current senior crew (with the exception of last year’s CWOSSA junior championship players moving up) haven’t played at a CWOSSA championship.

Key Players:  Javon Masters (5'11" G), Juwan Miller (5'10" G).

#5 Waterloo CI – Waterloo

Advantage:  Size --- could potentially start three players that are 6’6”+ (Dani Elgadi, Jacob Ranton, Malcolm Piazza).

Disadvantage:  Lack of depth at the guard positions.

Key Players:  Jacob Ranton (6'7" F), Malcolm Piazza (6'6" F), Dani Elgadi (6'6" F).

And now, my "top 20 senior recruits" that college and university coaches will likely be looking at this upcoming season.  Note that players must be in 4th or 5th year to appear on this list:

Mark’s Top 20+ Recruits – Class of 2012/13 (Grade 12s or 12+)

1.  Alex Thompson, St. Mary's - Kitchener (6'1" SG) - 5th Year

Mark's Comment:  "Creative scorer with a variety of moves; great first step, quickness, and ability to pull up and pop."

2.  Javon Masters, Forest Heights (5'11" PG) - 4th Year

Mark's Comment:  "Top PG in CWOSSA class of 2013; good range on three-point shot and excellent ability to create for himself and teammates."

3.  Jason Quiring, Jacob Hespeler (6'6" F) - 4th Year

Mark's Comment:  "Back at JHSS after stint at REDA (unsure about eligibility); tremendous all around player who led JHSS to CWOSSA finals as a junior two years ago."

4.  Adam Voll, St. Mary's (6'6" F) - 4th Year
Mark's Comment:  "Super strong finisher and one of the quickest leapers in the region."

5.  Mike Pereira, Resurrection (6'4" F) - 5th Year

Mark's Comment:  "Great length on the defensive end and backboard; strong finsher/dunks on the interior."

6.  Cory Kenning, Resurrection (6'7" F/C) - 4th Year

Mark's Comment:  "Tough to handle on the offensive end; can post up down low with size but is equally comfortable hitting a 15+ foot jumper."

7.  Jacob Ranton, Waterloo (6'6" F) - 4th Year

Mark's Comment:  "Brings nice size to the SF position; great shooter from deep."

8.  Shamlo Saeed, John F. Ross (5'10" PG) - 5th Year

Mark's Comment:  "Quickest guard in CWOSSA with nice vision and rare mid-range game for a guard."

9.  Filip Cvrkalj, Grand River (6'3" SG) - 4th Year

Mark's Comment:  "Gaining CIS interest already; can fill things up in a hurry."

10.   Vedran Dmitrovic, CHCI (6’0” Combo G) – 4^th Year 

Mark’s Comment:  “Impressed scouts as a grade 11 at OFSAA; look for increased production despite the increased attention that he’ll have as CHCI’s star player.”

11.  Mike Friesen, John F. Ross (6'3" SG) - 4th Year

Mark's Comment:  "Lights out from three; excellent strength at the 2-guard position."

12.  Mike Finoro, Our Lady of Lourdes (6'0" PG/SG) - 5th Year

Mark's Comment:  "Will again be one of CWOSSA's top scorers; range from well beyond the three-point stripe."

13.  Sean Samuel, Huron Heights (6'1" Combo Guard) - 4th Year

Mark's Comment:  "The best pure scorer in CWOSSA."

14.  Isaac Lance, St. Mary's - Kitchener (6'1" PG) - 5th Year

Mark's Comment:  "Arguably the best 'pure PG' in CWOSSA; gets the Eagles off and running with his ability to push the ball and find teammates in transition."

15.  Tyler Schneider, Resurrection (6'2" SG) - 5th Year

Mark's Comment:  "Strong all-around player who is a great shooter but not afraid to finish in traffic either."

16.  Brodi Verbiski, Grand River (6'1" Combo Guard) - 5th Year

Mark's Comment:  "Outstanding shooter off the dribble and underrated defender."

17.  Malcolm Piazza, Waterloo (6'6" PF/C" - 4th Year

Mark's Comment:  "Scouts see a lot of potential; tough for defenders on the interior."

18.  Cam Gibbs, Resurrection (6'4" SF) - 5th Year

Mark's Comment:  "Athleticism + Vertical = Arguably one of the best dunkers in CWOSSA."

19.  Marco & Carlo Zanette, Centre Dufferin (6'3" Fs) - 4th Year

Mark's Comment:  "Two extremely physical and fundamentally sound players that should have the Royals int he hunt for the AAA crown."

20.  Ben Reyhani, Sir John A. Macdonald (6'0" SG) - 5th Year

Mark's Comment:  "In the gym range; will be called upon to produce even more with the graduation of Edem Ame."

21.  Josh Johnson, Holy Trinity (6'0" PG) - 4th Year

Mark's Comment:  "Despite being in Simcoe, you'll be hearing from this crafty guard before the year is up."

Preseason Top 4 Senior Teams - By League

WCSSAA

1.  Forest Heights

2.  WCI

3.  Grand River

4.  Cameron Heights

D8

1a.  Resurrection

1b.  St. Mary's

3.  St. Benedict

4.  St. David

D10 

1.  JF Ross

2.  Lourdes

3.  St. James

4.  Centennial

D5

1.  North Park

2.  St. John's

3.  Assumption

4.  Brantford

All Other Leagues

1.  Centre Dufferin

2.  Owen Sound

3.  Holy Trinity/Simcoe

4.  Simcoe CS