The Record: Eagles, Phoenix Ready to Renew Basketball Rivalry

Article By:  Mark Bryson

The District 8 schedule maker has absolutely no flair for the dramatic.

Instead of waiting until the last possible moment to pit the St. Mary’s Eagles against the Resurrection Phoenix – and building up to the inevitable battle of the undefeated — the league’s marquee matchup will take place right off the bat.

No buildup. No hype. No anticipation. Nada.

The Eagles will have two games under their belts and the Phoenix just one when the D8 giants clash Wednesday at Rez in a 3:30 p.m. tipoff. It’s a rematch of last year’s title game and very likely a preview of the Feb. 22 championship game. In between, they’ll have a regular-season rematch on Jan. 12.

“We’re excited. We learned a lot last year, losing to Rez in the final,” said Eagles head coach Jason Hergott. “We’re maybe a little stronger because of our juniors coming up, but I know Rez has picked up that slack as well.

"The rivalry is everything for us. We want to beat Rez and that’s what it comes down to.”

Some are suggesting the District 8 champion will be the favourite to win the Central Western Ontario crown as well.

“That could be the case,” said Resurrection head coach Tom Schneider. “I would agree that St. Mary’s and my team are two very strong teams in the region but I’m not going to say we’re the best.

“I’m not going to say anything that can be put up on a bulletin board to be used against me later, but I would agree that we are two of the strongest teams in the area.”

Schneider and Hergott say all the right things about the District 8 league’s other teams. They say the St. David Celtics will be a formidable opponent and that the St. Benedict Saints have a coach in John Malnerich who will bring out the best in his players.

Truth is, it will be major, major surprise if it’s not Rez and St. Mary’s fighting for the one available CWOSSA berth.

The Rockway Flames have nowhere to go but up after finishing with a 0-10 record last year, while the Pere Rene de Galinee Chevaliers are newcomers to the league.

The Monsignor Doyle Mustangs, meanwhile, have insufficient numbers to field a senior team. That school will field a varsity team and play an exhibition schedule.

Here’s a quick look at the District 8 league.


MONSIGNOR DOYLE MUSTANGS
Last year: Lost in semifinals
Coach: Stan Kamzol
Starting five: Tyler Saris G, Manny Singh F, Roberto Artwell G, Dan Cerny G, Dan Smith F
Six-man: Vincent Morgado
Key losses: All five starters


PERE RENE DE GALINEE CHEVALIERS
Coaches: Lisa Allain, Lysanne Cantin, Nick Kayambe
Starting five: David Nolet G, Adrian Rehm F, Malcolm Duncan G, Stephen Poole F, Dylan Floyd G
Six-man Mathieu Lacroix F, GJ Koon G
Key rookie: Dylan Floyd

RESURRECTION PHOENIX
Last year: District 8 champions
Coach: Tom Schneider
Starting five: Tyler Schneider G, Jeff Rodrigues G, Andrew Mwangi F, Mike Pereira F, Cam Gibbs F
Six-man: John Moi G
Key losses: Matt Stocco, Mike Tyler, Brandon Lee
Key rookie: Cory Kenning C


ROCKWAY FLAMES
Last year: Failed to make playoffs
Coaches: Bernie Burnett, Greg Hallman
Starting five: Jordan Fayez C, Josh Klassen G, Godwin Luk G, Michael Hewson F, Anner Gonzalia F
Six-man: Steve Veltri
Key loss: Dan Steckley
Key rookie: Jordan Fayez


ST. BENEDICT SAINTS
Last year: Missed playoffs
Coach: John Malnerich
Starting five: Santo Dak G, Tyrone Tyndale G, Kueth Geng F, David DiAngelo F, Kieran Senior C
Six-man: Tevin Heath G
Key loss: Derrick Strickland
Key rookie: Santo Dak


ST. DAVID CELTICS
Last year: Lost in semifinals
Coach: Rob McKenna
Starting five: Kurt Mohaupt C, Tyson Lavigne F, Dan Hummel F, Jeff Scanlon G, Joe Baretto-Burns F
Six-man: Jake Winter
Key loss: Mike Schummer
Key rookie: Jake Winter

ST. MARY’S EAGLES
Last year: Finalists
Coach: Jason Hergott
Starting five: Isaac Lance G, Mike Kasunic F, Alex Thompson G/F, Ben Bankazo G/F, Zak Hannah G/F
Six-man: Adam Voll C
Key loss: Demar Thompson
Key rookie: Henry Bankazo

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