Junior: Rez Hosts Annual Luke Santi Memorial 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 a field of teams from around Southern Ontario. 

Five CWOSSA teams are represented, including the host Phoenix, Guelph Bishop Macdonell, Walkerton DCS, and Kitchener Huron Heights.  Sarnia St. Patrick's, Stratford St. Michael, St. Francis (St. Catharines) and St. Mike's (Niagara Falls) round out the field.

Stratford St. Mike's, despite a 2-14 record at this tournament in their history, are likely the favourites this time around.  They have some nice size including 6'4" Jack Reilly, who scored 20+ PPG at this tournament last year as a grade 9.  Currently in the Stratford and area league, St. Mike's are 7-0, winning games by an average of 50+ points.  They put up 100+ in a game (103 to be exact) earlier this week.

First round action features:  
Resurrection vs. Bishop Macdonell
St. Mike's (Stratford) vs. Walkerton  
St. Patrick's (Sarnia) vs. St. Francis (St. Cath)  
St. Mike's (Niagara) vs. Huron Hts.

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)  
2014:  Jean Vanier (RH) 64, Resurrection 61
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  
T8.  Sharieff Peru, Lourdes (2009) - 22.5
T8.  Kascius Small-Martin, Jean Vanier RH (2014) - 22.5  
10.  Michael Ganson, Bishop Mac (2012) - 21.3  
11.  Justin Manning, Bishop Reding (2009) - 21.0  
T12.  Eric Varasso, Cardinal Newman (2008) - 20.3
T12.  Jack Reilly, Stratford St. Mike's (2014) - 20.3  
14.  Chyro Blackwood, Resurrection (2003) - 20.0  
15.  Josh Elsley, St. Christopher (2012) - 19.8  
16.  Adam Schneider, Resurrection (2011) - 19.3
17.  Ali Rashid, Resurrection (2014) - 19.0  
T18.  Mitchell Wood, Bishop Mac (2010) - 18.5  
T18.  Connor Wood, Bishop Mac (2009) - 18.5
Bold = CWOSSA Players