Article By: Jacob RobinsonFans attending this year's NSSAA senior boys basketball games may want to bring a radar gun, because it's going to be fast.
This year's crop of players is expected to be one of the quickest groups in recent memory. Expect high energy, up-tempo contests to be the norm in Norfolk, which could very well equal higher than average scores as well.
A longstanding championship contender, the Holy Trinity Titans finally got over the hump last year. Now the boys from HT will be tasked with doing it all again, which won't be easy with Waterford, Delhi, Valley Heights and Simcoe nipping at their heels.
Enjoy the 2014-15 season, just don't turn away, because this year, things can change in the blink of an eye.
Holy Trinity Titans
Last year's result: Won NSSAA title
Coaches: Paul MacCormack, Mike Leonard
Who's out: Jordan Hill, Mark Gubbles, Derek Slaght, Jason Altunes
Captain(s): Braden Ongena G, Tevaun Gardner F, Mark Peters G
Strengths: As a group, the defending champs don't lack in both the size and speed department. Having lost a few of their bigger stars from 2013's championship run, the Titans reloaded. This team won't be intimated in the paint, and should feel right at home in games that resemble a track meet.
Outlook: It's an interesting mix that makes up the Titans roster. They're not too old or too young – the group even has some athletes making a return to the hard court. Paul MacCormack has coached HT to some big moments in the past, he and Leonard will look to do so this winter.
Waterford Wolves
Last year's finish: Lost to Holy Trinity in the NSSAA Final
Coach: Derek Rowntree
Who's out: Corey MacLean, Matt Couperus, Justin Nadrofsky
Captain(s): Logan Donaldson PG, Zak Muise SF, Colen Walsh PF, Zach Heipel SG
Strengths: What the Wolves lack in experience, they make up for with speed. A strong group of athletes, WDHS will push the pace and hope to wear other teams out by running the floor.
Outlook: WDHS has had success at the junior level in recent years, including a Norfolk title in 2013. That bodes well for the current group, especially given they've lost all but one starter from last season. With a new core, don't judge the Wolves by how they start, but how they finish, especially given Donaldson – the team's starting point guard – is out the first half of the year due to injury.
Simcoe Sabres
Last year's result: Lost in the NSSAA semi-final
Coach: Greg Pajor
Who's out: Austin Gulley, Denton Oliver, Steven Dorish, Evan Dorish, Mitchell MacDonald,
Captain(s): Jordan Peever PG
Strengths: While the Sabres lost a number of players from their 2013 roster, the team will still be one of the oldest in the league with four 5th year starters. A sizable group that has plenty of speed and depth, Simcoe will should prove to be a tough out.
Outlook: It's no secret, not making the finals last season didn't sit well with SCS. The blue and white are out to prove last year's semi-final exit was merely a blip on the radar. A group ripe with experience, these Sabres are shooting to return to the big game.
Delhi Raiders
Last year's result: Lost in NSSAA semi-final
Coach: Shawn Spence
Who's out: Jake Leger
Captain(s): Rodney Boodram C
Strengths: Last year's edition of the blue and gold weren't exactly daunting from a size perspective. This year the roster includes more length, which should help in the paint at both ends of the floor. DDSS is looking good to build off a strong defensive performance in 2013.
Outlook: This is a year of transition for the Raiders. While the team does have some veteran leadership like Boodram – a fifth year centre – much of the roster is young and inexperienced at the senior level. It's best to reserve judgement until their young core has chunk of the year under its belt.
Valley Heights Bears
Last year's finish: Missed the playoffs
Coach: Jamie Adams
Who's out: Sam Armstrong, Perry Wall
Captain(s): Nick Rempel SG, Chris Bevan PG, Adam Simon C
Strengths: Chemistry won't be a problem for the Bears, they've each taken plenty of reps in practice and are already working as a cohesive unit. Not the biggest group, speed is a weapon VHSS will look to deploy early and often.
Outlook: With a winless 2013/14 behind them, the Bears are concentrating on notching a 'W', then they can set their sights on the playoff race. Defence has been a focus during training camp, something that should serve them well when the rubber hits the road.
Retrieved From: http://www.simcoereformer.ca/2014/12/03/time-for-tip-off
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