Junior: Resurrection Hosts Annual Luke Santi Tournament

The Resurrection Phoenix are hosting their annual "Luke Santi Memorial Tournament" this weekend, named in honour of their former junior star who passed away from cancer at the age of 16 following the 2006-07 season.

To quote from the tournament's program, "Luke was a top student in the classroom, great citizen in the community, and a strong athlete---particularly on the basketball court for the Phoenix where he was named to the District 8 all-star team in the 2006-2007 season. An outstanding shooter, he also received accolades in various tournaments, including this same tournament where he averaged 11 points a game. He was also Resurrection's player of the game during the 2007 District 8 championship game in which he netted 19 points (including five three-pointers)."

This year's tournament has its usual strong field of Catholic teams from around Southern Ontario.  The tournament favourites are the Jean Vanier (Richmond Hill) Jaguars, who are currently the #2 ranked team in the GTA --- the Jaguars won the Ontario All-Catholic last weekend by defeating Toronto St. Michael's College.

Four CWOSSA teams are represented, including the host Phoenix and three Guelph schools --- Bishop Macdonell, St. James, and Our Lady of Lourdes.  Sarnia St. Patrick's, Stratford St. Michael and London St. Thomas Aquinas round out the field.

First round action features:
Resurrection vs. St. Michael (Stratford)
St. James vs. London St. Thomas Aquinas
Jean Vanier (Richmond Hill) vs. Lourdes
Bishop Mac vs. Sarnia St. Patrick

The tournament's "OFSAA style" format will pit first round winners against losers, followed by semifinal and final action tomorrow.

Past Tournament Finals (Since Renamed in 2008)
2013:  Bishop Mac 64, Lourdes 57 (OT)
2012:  Oakville Holy Trinity 49, Jean Vanier (RH) 48
2011:  Bishop Macdonell 55, Resurrection 49
2010:  Oakville Holy Trinity 69, Sarnia St. Christopher 61
2009:  Resurrection 57, Bishop Mac 56
2008:  Resurrection 57, Sarnia St. Christopher 46

All-Time Tournament Top Scorers (PPG)
1.  Mike Rocca, St. Christopher (2010) - 31.3
2.  Matt Cinjau, St. Christopher (2007) - 26.0
3.  Joe Rocca, St. Christopher (2008) - 24.8
4.  Craig Valeriote, Lourdes (2013) - 24.7
T5.  Chris Rocca, St. Christopher (2005) - 23.3
T5.  Solumun Gabriel, Pope John Paul II (2003) - 23.3
7.  Seve Sanfilipo, Pope John Paul II (2004) - 22.8
8.  Sharieff Peru, Lourdes (2009) - 22.5
9.  Michael Ganson, Bishop Mac (2012) - 21.3
10.  Justin Manning, Bishop Reding (2009) - 21.0
11.  Eric Varasso, Cardinal Newman (2008) - 20.3
12.  Chyro Blackwood, Resurrection (2003) - 20.0
13.  Josh Elsley, St. Christopher (2012) - 19.8
14.  Adam Schneider, Resurrection (2011) - 19.3
T15.  Mitchell Wood, Bishop Mac (2010) - 18.5
T15.  Connor Wood, Bishop Mac (2009) - 18.5

Bold = CWOSSA Players