We're about a month away from CWOSSA, but it's never too early to start thinking about the teams that may be in attendance at this year's championship.Here's a "rough idea" of who might be at the AA, AAA, and AAAA championships:
AA
Like the girls' championship was this past fall, boys' "AA" CWOSSA will be a 6-team, two pool event.
Pool "A" - D 1&7 #1, D4 #1, and D9
Pool "B" - D10 (or WCSSAA), D1&7 #2, and D5
Starting on the junior side, St. Mary's of Owen Sound is leading the way in D1&7 (BAA), while there's certainly a couple teams that appear to be in the running for the "#2" spot in Pool B: Saugeen, John Diefenbaker and Sacred Heart are currently all boasting 5-1 BAA records.
Simcoe (5-1) looks to be the clear favourite in D9, over the other "AA" school, Delhi (0-5).
Bishop Mac (or Lourdes) would be favoured over WCSSAA's Southwood in their play-in game, though the Sabres have been improving as of late. Paris or Pauline Johnson would represent the D5.
Westside (7-0) currently leads the junior D4 league, but they're "AAA", so Centre Dufferin (6-2) is currently D4 #1.
Things are similar in senior, except OSCVI (8-0) and St. Mary's (6-2) are currently leading the charge in the BAA, while Wellington Heights sits 1st at 7-1 in the D4 circuit.
All others look the same; I'd certainly be shocked if, as usual, the winning school isn't from D10 (the Bishop Mac Celtics have held down a spot in my top 10 ranking all season).
AAA: Junior
Pool A: WCSSAA #1, D10 #1, D4 vs. D1&7
With the top five teams in the WCSSAA junior league being AAA schools, I'm sure that the playoffs will have a lot to say about the two WCSSAA schools that qualify. Currently, Preston looks like they should be able to get one of the berths and are my favourite to be the top AAA qualifier. D10 #1 (St. James) and either Westside or West Hill will take the other berth.
Pool B: D5 #1, WCSSAA #2, D9 vs. D8
North Park (undefeated in league) has the inside track from D5, while the KCI Raiders are currently in line for a CWOSSA berth from WCSSAA; I see them as likely the #2 WCSSAA qualifier when it's said and done. St. David will (likely) take on Holy Trinity in the qualifier.
AAA: Senior
Pool A: WCSSAA #1, D10 #1, D4 vs. D1&7
The KCI Raiders seem to have the inside track to the WCSSAA #1 spot, by virtue of a couple key regular season wins (such as WCI). D10 #1 will be a very strong St. James team, while D4 #1 (Westside) will play BAA's West Hill for the other berth.
Pool B: D5 #1, WCSSAA #2, D9 vs. D8
St. John's and North Park went to overtime the last time they met, and should battle for the D5 title and the league's lone "AAA" berth. Galt, despite losing to Glenview Park, appears to be in position to snag the #2 spot, while the other berth (play-in game) will likely be between Monsignor Doyle and Holy Trinity (Simcoe).
AAAA: Junior
Only four teams at "AAAA" CWOSSA this year, with 2 from WCSSAA, 1 from D8 and the other from either D5 or D10.
Right now, WCI & SJAM look like the class of the WCSSAA league, with Cameron Heights and Grand River within striking distance with a playoff "upset".
JF Ross is currently #1 in D10, but don't discount either Orangeville (6-6) or Centennial (6-5) in what's been a wild year over in Guelph. The D10 qualifier should be able to get past D5 school Assumption in the play-in game.
The favourite to take the AAAA title will come from the D8 league, where the top three teams in the league are also my top three ranked teams in CWOSSA. St. Mary's, St. Benedict and Resurrection will be vying to carry the D8 banner.
AAAA: Senior
In senior, the three WCSSAA teams at the top of the standings (CHCI/GRCI/SJAM) will need the playoffs to determine which two of them will qualify through to CWOSSA. Expect a very intense "semifinal Saturday" game between the #2 and #3 teams, most likely SJAM and Grand River.
St. Mary's appears to be a virtual lock to get in from D8, having not had a league game within single digits to this point in the season.
As for D5 (Assumption) vs. D10 (likely JF Ross)? The Royals would certainly be favoured there, but the senior Lions are no pushover so it should be competitive.
