Heinbuch Tournament Preview (CWOSSA Teams)

There will be some exciting games this Thursday, and no, I'm not talking about Thanksgiving-day NFL football.

The annual Heinbuch Classic Tournament returns to Kitchener with first-round games on Thursday (and Friday). 

Here's a look at the six local teams participating:

St. Mary's Eagles - Kitchener (D8)

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).

Tournament Preview:  First Round Game against Sarnia St. Christopher (Friday - Noon).  St. Chris will be without Mike Rocca, but still have some solid offensive firepower including Mike's older brother Joe, and Eric McDonald who hit for 48 points in one tournament game this year.  That said, I'll take them to win their openener but lose to J. Clarke Richardson in round 2 (Prediction:  Silver Division).


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 (F), 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).

Tournament Preview:  Though the Phoenix may have a great shot at winning their opening game, they will be hampered by the fact that they haven't had a lot of time together --- thanks in part to yet another long season by the Phoenix football squad.  That said, the talent is there with this bunch and I'll take them to win at least one of their first two contests (Prediction:  Bronze or Silver division).

Bluevale Knights - Waterloo

Last Season:  WCSSAA Champions, CWOSSA "AAAA" Champions

Coaches:  Doros Theodosiou, Rob Serviss, Zelimir Stevanovic, Dan White

Returning Starters:  3 - Stefan Cvrkalj (6'4" G - 2010 WCSSAA MVP), Fraser Voll (6'1" G), Karsten Beney (6'2" G/F).

Projected Starters:  Cvrkalj, Voll, Beney, Perrin Smith (6'6" F), Ian Farquharson (6'4" F).

Other Key Players:  Jamie Balsillie, Adam Zack, Nikola Jovovic.

Key Newcomers:  Ian Farquharson (Transfer - Kentucky), Cassidy Pomeroy (Grade 11 Rookie).

Key Losses:  Andrew Beney (Graduation), Drew Ballak (Graduation).

Tournament Preview:  Cvrkalj, who reinjured his knee recently, will not be able to go for the tournament --- though the Knights were already in tough against first round opponent Mother Teresa.  Things won't be much easier against either St. Thomas More (Hamilton) or Ottawa Borden in the second round.  Projection:  Consolation division.

SJAM Highlanders - Waterloo

Last Season:  WCSSAA Finalists, CWOSSA Semi-finalists

Coaches:  Steve Maloney, Stephen Peng

Returning Starters:  4 - Ben Reyhani (G; 2010 WCSSAA All-Star), Edem Ame (G/F; 2010 WCSSAA All-Star), Kwame Botchway (G), Jordan James (G)

Projected Starters:  Reyhani, Ame, Botchway, James, Theshawn Barry (G/F)

Key Newcomers:  Theshawn Barry (Gr. 11 Rookie); Connor Bradley (Gr. 11 Rookie); Quinn Turner (Gr. 10 Rookie - Playing Up from Junior).

Key Losses:  Matthias Hamm (Graduation), Jake Robinet (Graduation)

Tournament Preview:  The 'Landers start out with a game against London's HB Beal ---- and then either North Park or Oakwood.  It says here that they'll win at least one of them.  Projection:  Bronze or Silver division.

John F. Ross Royals - Guelph

Last Season:  D10 Champions, CWOSSA AAAA Finalists

Coaches:  Bill Price, Shaun White

Returning Starters:  1 - Shamlo Saeed (5'11" G; 2010 D10 All-Star)

Other Key Players:  Owen Moynihan (5'11" G), Wil de Groot (6'1" G/F), Evan Karl (6'3" F), Jack Cornett (6'2" G).

Key Newcomers:  Mike Friesen (6'3" G/F - From Junior); Nick Maule (6'0" G - From Junior).

Key Losses:  All to Graduation - F Ryan Cook, G Brad Crnkovic, G/F Joel Mohr, F Blake Linthwaite.

Tournament Projection:  The Royals will be in tough against Oakville's Loyola SS in the first round.  They may be able to pull a win out against either RCSS or Northern in the second round if they play their typical strong defense.  Projection:  Consolation or Bronze Division.

North Park CVS Trojans - Brantford

Last Season:  Brant County Champions, CWOSSA "AAA" Champions

Coach:  Todd Andrew

Returning Starters:  1 - Cale McDonald.

Key Players:  Tyler Johnston, Nick Minutillo, Cale McDonald.

Key Losses:  Mike Dulmage (Graduation); Dave Eves (Graduation); Mark Dickens (Graduation).

Tournament Projection:  The Trojans have a tough first game against Toronto Oakwood, and then follow that up with a game against SJAM or London Beal.  After a long volleyball season, and a revamped roster, I think the Trojans are heading for an 0-2 start ---- though the talent is there to possibly win their 2nd game.  Prediction:  Consolation or Bronze division.