Despite being a four-team tournament this year, it looks as though CWOSSA "AAAA" on the senior side should be a dandy.Potentially, you could have top four teams in my preseason ranking fighting it out for the two OFSAA berths.
Earlier this week, I had St. Mary's as my #1 CWOSSA team, but I've dropped them to #3 after a preseason slip-up against Grand River. Realistically, I look at Cameron Heights, Grand River and St. Mary's as "#1 a, b, and c" right now.
The Heinbuch Tournament this weekend should also help to sort some things out.
Here's a look at my top 5 CWOSSA teams right now:
1. Cameron Heights CI / Kitchener
The Gaels are in mid-season form offensively, as evidenced by an 80-point outburst against KCI last night. Solid early season results, including a semifinal berth at the Pinky Lewis, have them as my #1 team right now.
2. Grand River CI / Kitchener
Despite losing Jamal Murray to Prep School, the Renegades still have a ton of talent including returning starters Chuder Teny and Murtada Khamis. They looked good in their preseason opener, so I'll slot them at #2 for the time being.
3. St. Mary's CHS / Kitchener
Last year's CWOSSA 'champions' should again be among the favourites to take the crown this year. The Eagles may very well be able to jump back to the top of the CWOSSA rankings depending on how things shake down at the Heinbuch this weekend.
4. JF Ross CVI / Guelph
The Royals are 2-0 in D10 play, and have a well-balanced roster keyed by 6'6" F Kristian Vande Kemp. Arguably one of the deepest teams in CWOSSA, the two league wins were against arguably two of the top 4 D10 teams as well (Lourdes & St. James).
5. Resurrection CSS / Kitchener
A preseason win over SJAM and a tournament win over Bishop Mac have the Phoenix sliding into the top 5 at this point --- and it shouldn't be discounted that they've done it while generally missing two starters. Definitely a "darkhorse" team, they have the advantage of some senior leadership with three 5th year starters (Adam Schneider, Patric McGlynn, Jacob Gilbert).
