Quick flash back to 1972......well, at least courtesy of an internet search because I wasn't born yet:
-Paul Henderon's goal for Canada vs. the Soviet Union in the Hockey "Summit Series"
-Prime Minister of Canada: Pierre Trudeau
-The NBA Finals featured Wilt Chamberlain and the LA Lakers against Dave DeBusschere and the New York Knicks.
Also, it was the year that Bluevale Collegiate in Waterloo first opened to students.
Since that time, the Knights have amassed a grand total of ZERO senior boys basketball titles (WCSSAA or otherwise).
"We talk about all the great teams Bluevale has had and it's crazy (to think) they haven't won a senior title," said Knights current head coach Doros Theodosiou.
The Knights have won a handful of junior boys' titles along the way, the last being the 1997 WCSSAA championship over Grand River (a team that I was on, so I can confirm that one!). They even have a CWOSSA junior title (1989) to their credit, but no hardware at the senior ranks.
A quick look back down memory lane:
2009 - In the semifinals, a heavily favoured Knights squad featuring the "Serb Five" is upset by Arben Kalaba, John Mitchell, Gavin Berry and the upstart KCI Raiders.
2006 - Bluevale's closest call. They get to the finals (I believe as a #8 seed) but drop the final to the Southwood Sabres by 2 points (?). That was the year that Southwood went on to win gold at the AAA OFSAA championships.
1999 - A Bluevale squad led by future NCAA Division 1 player, 6'9" Thomas Hope (current HHHS Senior Coach), finishes 1st during the regular season. The Knights are eliminated from the WCSSAA playdowns on semifinal Saturday at Cameron Heights.
1996 - A solid Bluevale squad led by future UW player Josh Holden, 6'9" forward Kai Tukums, WCSSAA football MVP Jason Cave and others finished a solid year (that included a tournament championship in Winnipeg) as the #2 overall seed in WCSSAA. They were upset at home by the #7 KCI Raiders in the first round of the playoffs.
Late 1980s/Early 1990s - In the late 1980s, Bluevale had a guy by the name of, um, Sean Van Koughnett playing for them. As mentioned, they had the aforementioned junior team that took the 1989 CWOSSA title. Still, despite many great seasons, there were no county titles.
At any rate, the Knights have a chance to get the 38-year old "monkey" off their backs tomorrow during the WCSSAA finals at Cameron Heights. Standing in their way? Their new rivals, the SJAM Highlanders. The Highlanders are looking to not only spoil Bluevale's bid for a title, but win their second title in as many years.
The game goes with a start time of 8:30pm at Cameron Heights (though with the Junior Game at 7pm and the junior awards ceremony after that, I'd anticipate a tip-off time between 8:45-9:00pm). Admission is $5 for adults, and $4 for students with a valid student card.
-Paul Henderon's goal for Canada vs. the Soviet Union in the Hockey "Summit Series"
-Prime Minister of Canada: Pierre Trudeau
-The NBA Finals featured Wilt Chamberlain and the LA Lakers against Dave DeBusschere and the New York Knicks.
Also, it was the year that Bluevale Collegiate in Waterloo first opened to students.
Since that time, the Knights have amassed a grand total of ZERO senior boys basketball titles (WCSSAA or otherwise).
"We talk about all the great teams Bluevale has had and it's crazy (to think) they haven't won a senior title," said Knights current head coach Doros Theodosiou.
The Knights have won a handful of junior boys' titles along the way, the last being the 1997 WCSSAA championship over Grand River (a team that I was on, so I can confirm that one!). They even have a CWOSSA junior title (1989) to their credit, but no hardware at the senior ranks.
A quick look back down memory lane:
2009 - In the semifinals, a heavily favoured Knights squad featuring the "Serb Five" is upset by Arben Kalaba, John Mitchell, Gavin Berry and the upstart KCI Raiders.
2006 - Bluevale's closest call. They get to the finals (I believe as a #8 seed) but drop the final to the Southwood Sabres by 2 points (?). That was the year that Southwood went on to win gold at the AAA OFSAA championships.
1999 - A Bluevale squad led by future NCAA Division 1 player, 6'9" Thomas Hope (current HHHS Senior Coach), finishes 1st during the regular season. The Knights are eliminated from the WCSSAA playdowns on semifinal Saturday at Cameron Heights.
1996 - A solid Bluevale squad led by future UW player Josh Holden, 6'9" forward Kai Tukums, WCSSAA football MVP Jason Cave and others finished a solid year (that included a tournament championship in Winnipeg) as the #2 overall seed in WCSSAA. They were upset at home by the #7 KCI Raiders in the first round of the playoffs.
Late 1980s/Early 1990s - In the late 1980s, Bluevale had a guy by the name of, um, Sean Van Koughnett playing for them. As mentioned, they had the aforementioned junior team that took the 1989 CWOSSA title. Still, despite many great seasons, there were no county titles.
At any rate, the Knights have a chance to get the 38-year old "monkey" off their backs tomorrow during the WCSSAA finals at Cameron Heights. Standing in their way? Their new rivals, the SJAM Highlanders. The Highlanders are looking to not only spoil Bluevale's bid for a title, but win their second title in as many years.
The game goes with a start time of 8:30pm at Cameron Heights (though with the Junior Game at 7pm and the junior awards ceremony after that, I'd anticipate a tip-off time between 8:45-9:00pm). Admission is $5 for adults, and $4 for students with a valid student card.
38 years, that's all? Grand River has waited 44 years for a senior title. And to think of all the losses in the finals including four in a row...
ReplyDeletei bet stefan gets hurt in the first half
ReplyDeleteVery interesting JR - I had thought that GR would have at least one....
ReplyDeleteMakes me wonder some of the other championship droughts in senior WCSSAA basketball!
Bluevale will CHOKE just like Grand always does. It will be interesting to see who gets the Moser then. No matter what happens tonight Stefan deserves it. But can you remember a Moser winner from a non WCSSAA championship team?
ReplyDeletemoser winner from non wcssaa championship team - matt macintyre in 02-03 season. year glenview won took the crown as well as AAA cwossa.
ReplyDeleteI believe McIntyre graduated in 02 so I think you're referring to the 01-02 season.
ReplyDeleteThere's been a few Moser winners from non championship teams, including one from BCI (Sean Van Koughnett).
Looks like we won't have to worry about that now....
PS I believe that year (2002) was the first year of AAAA CWOSSA. KCI finished 2nd to Assumption and made their first of 5 consecutive OFSAA appearances.
ReplyDelete