CWOSSA Midseason Review: WCSSAA Senior

We'll begin our "official" mid-season reviews with the WCSSAA senior boys' circuit.

Sure, the teams at the very top of the standings (Forest Heights, Grand River) are the squads that many of us thought might be there at the start of the year; however, that's not to say that things haven't been interesting at times --- the Rens fought off an Eastwood squad by 5 (after being tied at half), while FHCI needed overtime to get past a valiant Waterloo-Oxford effort the other week.

In other words, the name of the game may be parity.

After all, when most of these players were juniors a couple of years back, we saw a #8 seed (Huron Heights) upset a #1 seed (Forest Heights) in the playoffs, while the championship final was contested between a #4 seed (Waterloo CI) and a #6 seed (Grand River).

If the playoffs started today ---- there would be some dangerous low seeds.  How about Huron Heights, SJAM, Bluevale, WODSS and Cameron Heights at numbers 7 through 11?  Of course, a ton of time yet to go in the season but things could get very interesting come playoff time.

Here are five things that I look for in the second half of the WCSSAA season:

1.  The Forest Heights Trojans to take the #1 seed heading into the WCSSAA playoffs

That's not to say that they will go undefeated, but even if they do drop one of their remaining five games (SJAM & Bluevale might be the possibilities), the Trojans already have a head-to-head tiebreak over the current second-place team, Grand River.

2.  Two "upsets" (seed wise) in the postseason

After last year's playoffs, where things essentially went to form (with the exception of GRCI's win over Bluevale in the 4-5 game), I think things might be a bit more interesting this year.  With the calibre of the teams that may finish in the "double digit" seeds, I think we may see a first-round upset in the qualifiers, and maybe one in the quarterfinals as well.

3.  SJAM & HHHS to continue their hot streaks

These teams actually meet in the first game after the break, which should prove to be a good game.  After dropping their first four contests, SJAM has caught fire, winning their last 3.  HHHS, meanwhile, dropped their first couple (albeit without Sean Samuel) but have rebounded since and are sitting above .500 (4-3) at the break.  Though both squads have some challenges in the second half, they do avoid the teams at the very top of the standings --- I project top 8 finishes for both.

4.  A breakthrough in Cambridge

We haven't seen a Cambridge school playing on "semifinal Saturday" since Southwood did a few years ago.  Is this the year?  Jacob Hespeler and Preston seem like the logical choices that could "break through", based upon their current spots in the standings; however, don't discount the upstart Galt Ghosts, who could pull off an upset in a one-game playoff situation.

5.  "AAA" Intrigue

To continue from #4 (as all the Cambridge squads are AAA), we should see a great battle for the three CWOSSA berths ---- and don't forget about Huron Heights and Waterloo-Oxford, who also fall into this category.  Although North Park (Brantford) and Centre Dufferin (Shelburne) seem like the early AAA favourites, a WCSSAA team could definitely make some noise at the tournament.

Mark's Midseason Award Winners

WCSSAA MVP:  Javon Masters, Forest Heights

First Team All-Stars

Javon Masters, FHCI

Juwan Miller, FHCI

Filip Cvrkalj, GRCI

Ben Reyhani, SJAM

Jason Quiring, JHSS

Second Team All-Stars

Vedran Dmitrovic, CHCI

Jacob Ranton, WCI

Dani Elgadi, WCI

Sean Samuel, HHHS

Jack Simmons, GCI
Perrin Smith, BCI

Honourable Mentions (Note: Min. 1 per team if no 1st or 2nd Team AS)

Paul Anderson, FHCI

Chuder Teny, GRCI

Javon Bryce, JHSS

Wes Meertens, PHS

Adam Anagnostopoulos, WCI

Owais Khairi, GCI

Jesse Dodgson, WODSS

Jason Thompson, CHCI

Julian Greer, KCI

Chris Thompson, GPSS

Zack Sauer, SSS
Mirza Zahic, ECI

Walker Stewart, EDSS