WCSSAA Senior Boys Preview

It's shaping up to be an interesting year in WCSSAA senior boys' basketball.

Last year's league finalists-slash-CWOSSA "AAAA" reps are expected to be back near the top of the standings as both Bluevale and SJAM return several starters from last year, and have added key talent via junior and/or transfer.

However, there's about another three or four teams that should be quite competitive and considered contenders for the WCSSAA crown.

Here's a quick rundown of the teams, in no particular order.

Bluevale Knights
Last Year:  WCSSAA Champions
It's definitely an advantage when you can return the player who captured the league MVP last season ---- and the Knights have that in guard Stefan Cvrkalj (6'4"), who recented committed to NCAA D-1 Lehigh University.  Though Cvrkalj has missed recent action with a nagging injury, expect him to be back in the lineup soon.  Other returning starters include guards Karsten Beney (6'2") and Fraser Voll (6'1").

In addition, they get a key transfer from the States in 6'4" G/F Ian Farquharson, who has already posted a couple of 20+ performances.  Perrin Smith (6'6" C) likes to play the perimeter game but will be increasingly called upon to pick up the "crash the boards" role that now-graduated seniors Andrew Beney and Drew Ballak played so well last year.   

Mark's Thoughts:  Obviously still one of the top teams, and definitely in the running for the title.  Expect them to be competing at "semifinal Saturday" at minimum.

SJAM Highlanders
Last Year:  WCSSAA Finalists
The 'Landers return 3 starters in total from last year's squad, including guards Edem Ame and Ben Reyhani (both 6'0").  Reyhani is their key offensive weapon, and can light things up from just about anywhere on the court.  Other key returnees include PG Jordan James (5'7") and 6'1" G Kwame Botchway.  The Highlanders also bring up several guys from their junior team, including grade 10 forward Quinn Turner (6'5"), Connor Bradley (6'1" F) and Theshawn Barry (6'1" G).  Turner will be expected to fill the "big man void" left by graduating 6'7" forward Jake Robinet.

Mark's Thoughts:  Once this team gels, they should find themselves at or near the top of the standings.

Forest Heights Trojans
Last Year:  Lost in Quarterfinals
Though they lose guard Taylor McNaughton (graduation), there is still a lot of reason for optimism over in West Kitchener.  That's because the Trojans have five key returnees  --- guards Kieran McAndrew & Gage Paquette, forwards Srdjan Stanivuk and Paul Anderson, and centre Ben Nikkel.

Forest Heights also brings up one of the top WCSSAA junior players from a season ago, guard Javon Masters.

Mark's Thoughts:  There's some height and experience on this roster.  It should have them fighting for a first-round playoff bye (top four spot).

Waterloo Vikings
Last Year:  Lost in Quarterfinals
The Vikes were a veteran-laden squad a year ago, with three 5th year starters.  As such, gone are F Scott Coghlin, G/F Jasper Wesson and G Josh Forler.  However, the Vikes do return two members of their starting backcourt in (now) 5th year players Alex Copp (6'2") and Alex Despotovic (6'0').  Expected to join them in the starting lineup are another Alex, fourth year forward Alex Heap (6'0") and grade eleven rookies Malcolm Piazza (6'6" F/C) and guard Zach Totzke (5'11"). 

Other significant contributions are expected from a bunch more rookies from last year's WCSSAA championship and CWOSSA finalist squad:  Jacob Ranton (6'5" F), Adam Anagostopoulos (Grade 10/6'0" G), John McGowan (6'0" G/F), as well as G Jeyan Thangaraj and F Dani Elgadi.

Mark's Thoughts:  The Vikes will be a lot younger than last year, but that doesn't necessarily make them any less talented.  I would expect the Vikes to be a top-eight team at minimum, and be in the running for a top-four spot this season.

Cameron Heights Golden Gaels
Last Year:  Lost in Semifinals
Though he was eligible to return, Stefan Arezina has headed off to university.  That said, the Gaels do have four key "rotational" players back from last year's squad including F Stefan Cucak, F Nebojsa Djeric, G Amjed Osman, and G/F Adnan Shah.  Furthermore, they have 2 key junior guards coming up including Vedran Dmitrovic and Nem Simic.  Simic dropped 47 points on the weekend in a 95-38 victory over St. Thomas Aquinas.  However, during that game, an on-court brawl (involving Cucak) occurred wherein Djeric left the bench to participate.  As a result, I'm hearing that both may be suspended for CHCI's first two games --- which could be huge since they're games against quality opposition - i.e. Preston and Southwood.

Mark's Thoughts:  Not having Djeric and Cucak for the first couple of games will definitely hurt.  Also, the Gaels have one of the tougher schedules before the Christmas break --- aside from the above 2 games it includes ECI, BCI and SJAM.  If they can pick up 3 wins out of those 5 games, they'll be in great shape heading into the second half of the season.

Huron Heights Huskies
Last Year:  Did Not Make Playoffs
Though the Huskies didn't crack the top-twelve last season, there's a feeling at Huron that they can make the jump this year, thanks to a mix of key veterans and solid newcomers from a CWOSSA participant junior team.

The Huskies return their leading scorer from a year ago (Shayan Butt) and bring up the top scorer from WCSSAA junior last season in G Sean Samuel.  Alongside F Ben Yorga, a couple of other juniors are expected to round out the starting 5 --- Eric Spinache (F) and C Hunter Jones.

Mark's Thoughts:  Playoffs are definitely possible, but the Huskies must not get discouraged after facing some tough squads to open their schedule --- Bluevale, WCI, and Forest Heights.  Key games will be the ones right before the Christmas break (JHSS & WODSS).

Eastwood Rebels
Last Year:  Did Not Make Playoffs
Though the Rebels posted just 2 wins a season ago, coaches Mike Reinhart and Steve Martin are focused on returning ECI to the playoff picture in 2011.

They will have some pieces to work with, including three returning starters:  5'7" PG Steffon Heyliger, 5'10" SF Zaman Sindy, and 6'3" PF Gondor Teny.  In addition, several juniors are moving up from a 5th place squad in WCSSAA, and grade elevens Jerelle Vaughan (6'0" F) and Djordje Goverica (5'10" G) will join the aforementioned trio in the starting lineup.  Another grade eleven, Terel Christian, should see some significant minutes as well.

Mark's Thoughts:  The Rebels are a bit undersized, with only one starter who goes above 6'0".  That said, I like them to improve upon last year's finish.  How much they improve will depend on how well they can handle the defensive glass.

Grand River Renegades
Last Year:  Lost in Qualifying Round
With tons of returning players, this could be the year that the Grand River Renegades start to climb back up the WCSSAA ladder.

Of course, the returning players are also talented, with most having been members of the GRCI junior squads in 2008 & 2009 that won back-to-back CWOSSA silver medals at the junior level.  That group includes G Brodi Verbiski, G Osama Qahwash, C Trevor McLaughlin, F Stefan Milanovic and G/F Mike Peters.  In addition, grade 11 rookie Filip Cvrkalj should bolster their play.

Mark's Thoughts:  The pieces (and experience) are now in place for a serious run at at CWOSSA berth.  Hampering their early-season progress will be the fact that OFSAA volleyball just wrapped up this weekend.

Waterloo-Oxford Crusaders
Last Year:  Lost in Qualifying Round
Twelve of fourteen members of last year's WODSS squad were in grade 10 or eleven, which makes for a ton of returnees.

Leading the way are returning starters Andy Trimmel, Jesse Dodgson and Kyle Weber, who are seeking to continue the basketball turnaround at W-O (the Crusaders were winless just two years ago).

Mark's Thoughts:  Like Grand River above, a long volleyball season may have early-season effects.  That said, the Crusaders do get a scheduling benefit (bye) on the first day of the season with EDSS out of the senior loop.  Look for W-O to make the playoffs and possibly host a first-round playoff game if all goes well.

Southwood Sabres
Last Year: Lost in Quarterfinal Round
Though the Sabres do lose a couple of key players, including Mark Stotesbury and Andrew Sauer, the Sabres do have a veteran roster set to return.  Among the key pieces from last year's squad coming back are Brian Doran, Griffin Sharpe and Mackenzie Collins.  Andrew's younger brother, Zac Sauer, is the key rookie from the junior squad.

Mark's Thoughts:  A definite "darkhorse pick" when it comes to the WCSSAA championship.  Should have no trouble qualifying against for AAA CWOSSA, however.

Preston Panthers
Last Year:  Lost in Quarterfinal Round
The Panthers lose some integral pieces of last year's team, including one of the top big men in WCSSAA (Jeff Robinson - now at Fanshawe College).  In addition, starting forward Abe Upshaw has also moved on, but the Panthers do have a key returnee in Chris Ackie, who put up some big numbers last year.  Furthermore, Preston also adds Wes Meertens from junior, who posted some terrific numbers last year. 

Mark's Thoughts:  Despite a couple of key losses, the drop-off won't be as bad as people think.  I expect a middle of the pack season, and a possible AAA CWOSSA berth.

KCI Raiders
Last Year:  Lost in Semifinal
The fairy-tale run at KCI over the past couple of years is set to wind down.  Gone are several key components of the squad that made the '09 WCSSAA final and the '10 WCSSAA semifinals, including WCSSAA all-stars Arben Kalaba and Darnell Simpson.

For KCI to make a run at a CWOSSA berth, they'll need some key contributions from their returning role players and key rookie Amanj Aras-Saber.

Mark's Thoughts:  The Raiders will tumble a bit in the standings, but should still make the playoffs.  Coach Nick White always seems to get the most out of his players --- I can see them still pulling a couple key wins if teams underestimate them.

Glenview Park Panthers
Last Year:  Did Not Make Playoffs
Though the Panthers didn't make the playoffs last year, they are continuing their rebuilding process after not having a team during the 2008-09 season.

The Panthers will bring up a few key guys from a junior team that made the WCSSAA and CWOSSA playoffs.  They have, however, lost leading scorer Cory Prince.

Mark's Thoughts:  I expect the Panthers to be improved, though from a sheer numbers perspective, it's difficult for them to compete against the "big schools".  Look for them to compete for a lower-end playoff seeding.

Galt Ghosts
Last Year:  Lost In Qualifying Round
The Ghosts snuck into the playoffs last year as a 12-seed, and do have some returnees from last year's squad including Tyler Audet, Leon Vilaysaeng and Sherodan Burke, among others.

Mark's Thoughts:  The Ghosts have posted a couple early season exhibition/tournament wins, so I would again expect them to be in the running for a lower-end playoff berth in the WCSSAA league.

Jacob Hespeler Hawks
Last Year:  Did Not Make Playoffs
The Hawks lose a couple of key starters, including Connor Paddock and Jeremy Perkins, but do have a key returnee in Brendan Vandyken.

The Hawks will be expecting big things from those coming up from their junior team that finished 3rd overall in the WCSSAA regular season standings.  Unfortunately, key guard Jason Quiring has flown the Hawks' nest to attend the REDA program in Hamilton.

Mark's Thoughts:  Losing Quiring is huge, as he could have made an immediate impact.  They should still have enough pieces to compete for a lower-end playoff berth, however.

Elmira DSS
Last Year:  Lost in Qualifying Round
Elmira will not be fielding a senior team in this year's WCSSAA league.