Although I'll try and get something more "in-depth" up in the next few days, the WCSSAA season is upon us.For the first time in a long time, parity may be the name of the game in the 2013 WCSSAA league.
The league's perennial powerhouse, the WCI Vikings, have won 9 of the last 10 league titles, with their lone loss being a year that they were still favoured to win (2009 against KCI, when the Raiders won on a last-second shot).
However, WCI probably isn't considered the favourites this year. In fact, an estimated 80% of the team's scoring offense from a season ago has now moved on, including three players to post-secondary basketball (Alex Klein/NCAA D1 Bryant U; Lindsay Taylor/CIS Memorial U; Julia Pavlik/CIS Waterloo - Redshirt).
The Vikes do return Kaylee Anagnostpoulos, a WCSSAA All-Star honourable mention from a season ago, while 6th woman Courtney Banham also returns. WCI also some strong talent coming up from the junior ranks, keyed by Isabella Kellerman and Danielle Sauve.
Hoping to take advantage of WCI's youthful roster are two veteran teams that appear poised to make a run for the title --- the Bluevale Knights and the Waterloo-Oxford Crusaders.
The Knights have four starters back from a WCSSAA semifinalist squad in 2012, keyed by 2nd-team WCSSAA all-star Natalie Bishop, Sarah Hamm, Kailee Sawyer, and Julia Curran.
Waterloo-Oxford, meanwhile, returns virtually their entire roster from a season ago, including the only returning first-team WCSSAA all-star from 2012 (Maddy Horst). Forward Alisha Glendinning and guard Becca Payne are the other major contributors back in Baden.
Last year's finalist, the Jacob Hespeler Hawks, are dealing with a couple of key losses (Brooklyn Wright & Taylor Dennis) but can take solace in the fact that they are returning Courtney and Candice Wright, both of whom played up in the senior ranks in 2012. The Hawks look like a strong favourite to secure one of the two "AAA" CWOSSA berths, while guard play will be a key determinant in their final WCSSAA placing.
Grand River, KCI, Southwood and Cameron Heights appear to be "contenders" for top-8 positions in the league, with potential to upend one of the four teams listed above if their youthful rosters can gel quickly.
Preseason All-Stars (1st Team)
Maddy Horst, Waterloo-Oxford (G) - 1st team 2012
Natalie Bishop, Bluevale (G) - 2nd team 2012
Kaylee Anagnostopoulos, WCI (G) - HM 2012
Courtney Wright, Jacob Hespeler (F)
Candice Wright, Jacob Hespeler (F) - HM 2012
Hunter Johns, Cameron Heights (F) - HM 2012
Top Newcomer/Rookie: Tara DeBoer, Grand River (Gr. 10 / F)
Projected Order of Finish
1. Bluevale / Waterloo
2. Waterloo-Oxford / Baden
3. Waterloo Collegiate
4. Jacob Hespeler / Cambridge
5. Grand River CI / Kitchener
6. Cameron Heights CI / Kitchener
7. Kitchener Collegiate
8. Southwood SS / Cambridge
9. Huron Heights SS/ Kitchener
10. SJAM / Waterloo
11. Eastwood CI / Kitchener
12. Forest Heights / Kitchener
13. Galt Collegiate / Cambridge
14. Elmira DSS / Elmira
15. Preston HS / Cambridge
Tuesday's Picks
Preston at Forest Heights
Pick: FHCI
Interesting game off the bat for these clubs, who have both graduated a key player from last year's roster (Ashley White, PHS & Blair McNaughton, FHCI). I'll go with the home Trojans by single digits.
Galt at WCI
Pick: WCI
Even with many youthful faces in their lineup, the WCI Vikings should handle the Galt Ghosts with ease at home.
Jacob Hespeler at SJAM
Pick: JHSS
Look for the Hespeler Hawks to start their season 1-0 at the expense of the SJAM Highlanders.
Waterloo-Oxford at Eastwood
Pick: WODSS
The rebuilding Rebels should be no match for the powerful offense of the Crusaders in this one.
Elmira at Bluevale
Pick: BCI
With only 8 players, depth may be an issue at times for the Lancers. At any rate, the Knights are far too talented in this one.
Co-Games of the Day
The final two games involve the teams that I have pegged in the 5-8 spots above. As such, I'll be curious to see how these pan out:
Southwood at Grand River (note: 3:30pm)
Pick: GRCI
I'll go with the homecourt Renegades in this one, provided they aren't looking ahead to Thursday's showdown with the Waterloo-Oxford Crusaders.
KCI at Cameron Heights
Pick: KCI
Coin-flip here, and although I have the Gaels ranked higher above, I'll go with a flyer on the KCI Raiders in what should be the most competitive game of the day.
