The annual SJAM "Highlander Hoopla" tournament --- in my view, the best early-season measuring stick for CWOSSA junior boys basketball --- is set to go this coming weekend in Kitchener-Waterloo.
This year, instead of the usual 8-team format, the tournament had expanded to 16-teams, and will be co-hosted by Forest Heights CI.
The tournament generally provides players, fans, and casual observers with a solid idea of who might be the "teams to beat" in CWOSSA. In fact, 2 of the last three champions of the tournament have made their respective CWOSSA final, while the 2007 final (North Park / JF Ross) actually featured both the eventual "AAA" and "AAAA" CWOSSA champions!
With regards to the format, the tournament is an "OFSAA-style" modified double-elimination. That is, first round winners play first round losers in the second round ---- and any losses after the opening round would eliminate a team from championship contention.
Here's a look at the draw:
SJAM Bracket
9:00am - SJAM vs. Centre Wellington
10:30am - St. David vs. North Park
Noon - Resurrection vs. Assumption
1:30pm - Grand River vs. St. James
(Second round games at 3, 4:30, 6, and 7:30).
Forest Heights Bracket
9:00am - Forest Heights vs. Centennial
10:30am - Huron Heights vs. St. John's
Noon - St. Mary's (Kit) vs. Brantford CI
1:30pm - Bluevale vs. JF Ross
Early favourites? The JF Ross Royals and St. Mary's Eagles look like the teams to beat in the bottom (FHCI) bracket, while the Grand River Renegades would have to be considered among the contenders in the top (SJAM) bracket. Of course, teams will have to win 5 games (technically could be 4 if they lose in the first round....) in 2 days to capture the tournament title, so we'll see how that plays into things!
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