One of the strongest District 8 junior leagues in recent memory is set to tip off with two games this afternoon.How strong is it? The top three teams in the league could very well be the top three teams in the initial CWOSSA junior ranking to be released on Friday.
All three teams return at least 4 of their top 6 scorers from a season ago, and each returns at least two all-star selections as well.
Last year's D8 playoff champions, the St. Mary's Eagles, got off to a strong start this past weekend by taking their talents to the GTA, and pulling out a hard-fought win over a strong St. Mike's team.
The Eagles are keyed offensively by last year's D8 MVP, Adham Eleeda, alongside three-point sniper David Nguyen. Barnaba Neil is an athletic big-man that patrols the paint for the Eagles, while Gordon Lam rounds out the four returning St. Mary's starters.
Minas Abara, last year's 6th man, who had a couple of key baskets in the D8 championship game, is back as well --- meaning that 5 of St. Mary's top 6 players are back from a year ago.
The team St. Mary's defeated in last year's D8 final, the St. Benedict Saints, have also looked impressive in preseason action, most recently in a big win over WCI on Friday.
PG Zubair Seyed and SG Justin Malnerich form one of the better guard tandems in CWOSSA, but you can't focus too much on them otherwise SF Alex Douglas will make you pay.
The Saints only return two of their starters (Seyed & Douglas) but they bring back probably 80+% of their scoring offense from a season ago.
Not to be outdone in the D8 junior league, the Resurrection Phoenix got off to a strong start with a tournament win this past weekend, and actually return all 5 starters from last year's D8 semifinalist roster.
Therefore, 2013 D8 all-stars Ali Rashid and Jake Rush return for Rez, alongside athletic wing-forward Muyang Iluya and pesky defender Prince Dang. PG/SG Joe Hunter anchors the guard-oriented Rez lineup.
Projected Order of Finish
1a. St. Mary's CHS / Kitchener
1b. St. Benedict CSS / Cambridge
1c. Resurrection CSS / Kitchener
4. St. David CSS / Waterloo
5. Monsignor Doyle CSS / Cambridge
6. Woodland CHS / Breslau
7. Rockway MC / Kitchener
Today's Picks:
Resurrection over Rockway
St. David over Woodland
