Play tips off this evening in the D8 junior and senior leagues, with 3 games (junior) and 2 in the senior circuit.
I'll make my senior picks here, to start that off:
Resurrection over Rockway
St. Benedict over St. David
A couple of teams will make their return to the junior league, as Woodland Christian is back in the D8 for the first time in about six years (having played in the D4 most recently) while Monsignor Doyle is back after a one-year hiatus.
D8 Senior
Predicted Order of Finish:
1. St. Mary's / Kitchener
2. Resurrection / Kitchener
3. St. Benedict / Cambridge
4. St. David / Waterloo
5. Rockway / Kitchener
6. Monsignor Doyle / Cambridge
Projected First Team All-Stars
Alex Thompson, SMHS (5th Year - SG, 6'1")
Isaac Lance, SMHS (5th Year - PG, 5'11")
Adam Voll, SMHS (4th Year - PF, 6'6")
Mike Pereira, RCSS (5th Year - SF/PF, 6'5")
Tyler Schneider, RCSS (5th Year - SG, 6'2")
The St. Mary's Eagles and the Resurrection Phoenix should, yet again, be the two teams competing for the D8 championship final in February.
Both teams will have to overcome a couple of key losses from last year's teams, most notably former D8 all-stars Ben Bankazo (St. Mary's) and Andrew Mwangi (Resurrection).
The Eagles are the slight favourite, and are backed by arguably the best backcourt in CWOSSA, with SG Alex Thompson (6'1") and PG Isaac Lance (5'11"). Other key players for the Eagles include PF Adam Voll (6'6"), and Henry Bankazo (6'1" G). They are an athletic bunch, and their depth will be aided by a strong contingent of players from last year's AAAA junior CWOSSA silver medalist squad, such as guards Chris Cloutier and Tyler Hergott.
The strength of Resurrection, meanwhile, is on the interior. Grade 12 forward Cory Kenning (6'7") and 5th year SF/PF Mike Pereira (6'5") were Rez's top scorers in this past weekend's Heinbuch tournament. Sharpshooting guard Tyler Schneider (5th Year/6'2") and athletic swingman Cam Gibbs (6'4") can stretch the defense.
Rez's PG spot will be handling by grade eleven rookie Adam Schneider (5'11") and 5th year veteran John Moi (5'9"). Schneider is a steady "pass first" PG, while Moi is more of an energy guy and scoring threat.
St. Benedict has had a ton of transfers come into their program over the past few years, and they will likely be the 3rd place team this coming season. Kueth Geng (5th year) and fourth year Andrew Squires (ex-Glenview Park) are likely to lead the way this year, while guard Santo Dak returns for his second season with the Saints. Bolstering the starting lineup is another 5th year player, Josh Edwards, who started at Monsingor Doyle two years ago before transferring over to SBCSS.
The St. David Celtics, meanwhile, are in rebuilding mode with only a couple of returning players this year. Jake Winter (SF) and Matt Scanlon (PG) are the two players of note for the Celtics.
Monsignor Doyle and Rockway will round out the 6-team league. The Mustangs were essentially a junior team playing in senior last year, with the bulk of their team being in either grade 9 or 10. Roberto Atwell and Manny Singh are the key returnees for the 'Stangs.
D8 Junior
Predicted Order of Finish:
1. St. Mary's / Kitchener
2. Resurrection / Kitchener
3. St. David / Waterloo
4. St. Benedict / Cambridge
5. Monsignor Doyle / Cambridge
6. Rockway / Kitchener
7. Woodland CHS / Breslau
Yes, it will be a 7-team D8 junior league this year for the first time in at least five years.
The early favourites are last year's D8 champs, the St. Mary's Eagles. The Eagles return one of the top players in CWOSSA, Mike Blumel (6'3" F) and should again find themselves at the top of the D8 standings ---- although they won't be as dominant as they were a season ago.
The Resurrection Phoenix and St. David Celtics will battle for 2nd spot in the D8 standings, and the accompanying home playoff game. Both squads are relatively inexperienced but have decent depth; they actually played this past weekend at Resurrection with the game ending in a 55-55 tie (no OT to keep the round-robin tournament on schedule).
Rez will be led by SG Mark Wylie, PG Thomas Hunter and 6'5" C Andrew Pickett, who is a beast on the boards. The Celtics, who have a ton of grade 9 talent, will be led by one of them --- guard/forward Deshaun Lalor. 6'5" Kwame Adam, who has exceptional length, will be a force on the defensive end, while George Dumitro and Wesley Naus are also players to keep an eye on.
The St. Benedict Saints, who advanced to last year's D8 championship final, will have a bunch of holes to fill but don't be surprised to see them pull out an upset or two and slide into 3rd ---- or even 2nd place.
Monsignor Doyle, Rockway, and Woodland Christian will likely find themselves on the outside looking in come playoff time, but the Cavaliers and Flames will get some valuable experience as they look to make some noise in "A" CWOSSA.
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