Those games include: Monsignor Doyle at St. David, St. Benedict at St. Mary's, and PRDG at Rockway.
Yes, I said PRDG. Les Chevaliers will be making a return to the D8 senior circuit, though it was initially reported that they would be joining the junior circuit.
Here's a review of last season, and projections for this year......
2009-10 Standings
1st - St. Mary's
2nd - Resurrection
3rd - St. David
4th - Monsingor Doyle
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5th - St. Benedict
6th - Rockway
Last Year's Semifinal Results: Resurrection over St. David; St. Mary's over MDCSS.
Last Year's D8 Final: Resurrection over St. Mary's
2010 Projections
With all due respect to the other teams in the league, the D8 appears to be a two-team race this year between St. Mary's and Resurrection.
Both clubs have strong cores returning from last year's teams (not necessarily in terms of # of returning starters, but in terms of returning % of offense, which is key). Furthermore, they have added some key players by way of transfer and from their junior programs.
I think it's too close to call at this point, but expect to see these teams in the final.
Mark's D8 Preseason All-Star Team
PG - Isaac Lance, St. Mary's - Grade 12
SG - Alex Thompson, St. Mary's - Grade 12
G - Tyler Schneider, Resurrection - Grade 12
G/F - Ben Bankazo, St. Mary's - 5th Year
F - Andrew Mwangi, Resurrection - Grade 12
F - Mike Pereira, Resurrection - Grade 12
Top Rookie: Cory Kenning, Resurrection (6'5" F - Grade 11)
Top Newcomers: Santo Dak, St. Benedict (5'9" G - Grade 12) -- transfer from Pleasure Ridge Park HS (Louisville, Kentucky); Stephen Cordle, Resurrection (6'4" F - Grade 12) -- transfer from Toronto.
Team-By-Team Previews
St. Mary's Eagles - Kitchener
Last Season: D8 Finalists
Coaches: Jason Hergott, Raf Januszek
Returning Starters: 4 - Alex Thompson (SG; 2010 D8 All-Star), Isaac Lance (PG; 2010 D8 All-Star), Ben Bankazo (F; 2010 D8 All-Star), Mike Kasunic (F)
Projected Starters: Thompson, Lance, Ben Bankazo, Kasunic, and either Zak Hannah/Tony Huynh
Key Newcomers: Grade Elevens: Adam Voll, Henry Bankazo, Chris Walser, Khalil Stevenson. Grade Twelves: Godfrey Paul, Delondo Hibbert. Transfers: Sam Hernandez (From Huron Heights - Eligible 2nd semester).
Key Losses: Kueth Geng (Transfer to Cambridge St. Benedict), Demar Thompson (Graduation), James Gibson (Graduation).
Mark's Outlook: Solid squad of players, who will be without Lance for the opening weeks of the season as he is in the Dominican Republic on a service exchange. The Eagles are loaded at guard, and can light up the scoreboard in a hurry with Thompson and Ben Bankazo. Top junior rookie is PG Chris Walser, while another grade 11, 6'4"-6'5" F Adam Voll, should see some rotational minutes in the frontcourt. The backcourt could become even more crowded when PG Sam Hernandez (transfer-Huron Heights) becomes eligible in second semester. During early season games for the Huskies last season, he hit for 20+ on several occasions.
Resurrection Phoenix - Kitchener
Last Season: D8 Champions, 1-1 at CWOSSA AAAA (eliminated at pool stage)
Coach: Tom Schneider
Returning Starters: 2 - Andrew Mwangi (6'4" G/F; 2010 D8 MVP), Tyler Schneider (6'1" G; 2010 D8 All-Star).
Projected Starters: Mwangi, Schneider, Jeff Rodrigues (5'10" G), Mike Pereira (6'4" F), Cory Kenning (6'5" F).
Other Key Players: Stephen Cordle (6'4" F), John Moi (5'9" G), Cam Gibbs (6'3" F).
Key Newcomers: Grade Elevens: Cory Kenning, Tyler Bartley (6'1" G/F), Mark Radcliffe (5'10" G). Transfer: Stephen Cordle (Transfer - Toronto).
Key Losses: Matt Stocco (Graduation), Mike Tyler (Graduation), Ryan Herron (Moved to Illinois).
Mark's Outlook: The scary thing with this squad is that they're virtually all in grade 12 --- and eligible to return next season. In fact, the Phoenix have just one 5th year player on the roster (G Jason Chris). Look for immediate impact from top junior propsect Cory Kenning, who is now 6'5"-6'6" and still growing --- he could be a nice CIS prospect in two years' time. Though the Phoenix lose 3 starters total, they are returning 80-85% of their scoring offense.
St. Benedict Saints - Cambridge
Last Season: Missed Playoffs
Coaches: John Malnerich, Pat Ronzio, Kevin Crosby
Returning Starters: 2 - Tyrone Tyndale, Courtney Heath
Projected Starters: TBD
Key Newcomers: Tevin Heath (From Junior); Santo Dak (Transfer from Kentucky); Kueth Geng (Transfer from Kitchener St. Mary's).
Key Losses: (All to Graduation) Derrick Strickland, Jorden Westney, Reggie Headley, Kyle Moniz
Mark's Outlook: Look for the Saints to be improved this season and find themselves in a D8 playoff spot at season's end. The Saints have two key transfers in Geng (who hit a buzzer-beater three for SMHS against Rez last year to win a regular season game) and Dak who should provide stability at the PG spot. In addition, he's a pretty solid all-around athlete, having finished 5th last year at the Kentucky State High School Track & Field meet in the 1600m (mile) run.
Monsignor Doyle Mustangs
Last Season: 4th in D8; lost semifinal game
Coach: Stan Kamzol
Returning Starters: 0
Projected Starters: G Tyler Saris (Grade 10), F Manny Singh (Grade 10), G Roberto Artwell (Grade 11), G Dan Cerny (Grade 11), F Dan Smith (Grade 12).
Other Key Players: Sixth-man Vincent Morgado (Grade 9).
Key Newcomers: A lot. Doyle is not fielding a junior team this season, and instead will be having a senior "varsity" team comprised primarily of grade 9s and 10s. Their roster has just one grade 12, three grade 11s, and the rest are in grade 9 and 10.
Key Losses: All 5 starters from last year's team including D8 all-stars Shayne Teet-Corriveau and Josh Loehle.
Mark's Outlook: Doyle head coach Stan Kamzol says that "we look forward to this year as a stepping stone for years to come." Many were expecting Doyle to possibly be competitive at the AAA level, as 4 of their 5 starters were eligible for a 5th year --- but chose not to return. The many junior-aged players on the squad are going to get thrown right into the fire in an early-season schedule that includes SMHS & RCSS in the first two weeks.
Rockway Flames
Last Season: Did Not Make Playoffs
Coaches: Bernie Burnett, Greg Hallman
Returning Starters: 4 - Josh Klassen, Godwin Luk, Michael Hewson, Anner Gonzalia
Projected Starters: As Above + Jordan Fayez
Key Newcomers: Jordan Fayez & Steve Veltri (From Junior); Valentin Szalay (International Student)
Key Losses: Dan Steckley (Graduation)
Mark's Outlook: Coach Bernie Burnett is looking for this squad to be competitive in the D8 league and make a trip back to the OFSAA "A" playoffs. Though I don't think they have quite enough to make the playoffs, they should post a few wins along the way. Guard Josh Klassen is the key player to keep an eye on.
St. David Celtics
Last Year: 3rd; Lost Semifinal Game
Coach: Rob McKenna
(Team Info Not Submitted)
Mark's Outlook: The Celtics again graduate some talent, but they should still have enough talent around to earn a D8 playoff spot and make a return trip to CWOSSA "AAA". Dan Hummel and Tyson Lavigne are their key returnees, while they should see increased contributions from grade 12s Joe Baretto-Burns and Nick Batten who now have a year of senior under their belt.
PRDG Chevalier
Last Year: Did Not Compete
[No Team Info Available]
Mark's Outlook: From what I've heard, PRDG will bring a "couple club players" into the mix --- but as with other "A" schools, they don't have the depth to be able to be a serious competitor in the D8 league. At any rate, it should be a good opportunity for them to gain experience going forward. They tip off their season tonight at Kitchener Rockway in an "all-A" school battle.
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