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| Former WCI teammates - Dani Elgadi (L) and Ranton (R). |
The tournament tips off today, but there is one important change from years' previous.
This year, the tournament has a new name: The Jacob Ranton Memorial Senior Boys' Basketball Tournament.
Jacob was an outstanding basketball player, and student leader at WCI, graduating in 2013. After graduation, he attended Memorial University in Newfoundland where he was a key member of the basketball team.
Last December, Jacob took his own life. His family is committed to using his life and death as a platform to discuss the importance of mental health issues -- and this tournament will help to play a role in that.
Proceeds from this tournament will be used to support the Waterloo Region Suicide Prevention Council (WRSPC), which will provide every athlete with information about mental health.
Mental health is certainly something that affects us all. If you, or someone you know is struggling, the WRSPC website provides excellent resources including ways to help yourself, or someone you love.
Here's a link to the website and information - certainly worth checking out.
As for those playing in the tournament, let's use this weekend to continue to combat the stigma surrounding mental health issues, and honour Jacob's memory with some strong play on the court.
The Tournament
13 CWOSSA teams will be participating -- including top-ten ranked clubs Kitchener St. Mary's, WCI, Grand River, SJAM, Resurrection, and KCI.
The other CWOSSA teams are no slouch either, with Eastwood & Forest Heights both being undefeated in league play, St. David (who defeated St. Mary's), last year's AAA CWOSSA champion St. James, and Huron Heights rounding out the CWOSSA contingent.
Out of town entries include Kingston Holy Cross, Welland Centennial, and Stratford Central.
First-round games tip off at both sites (WCI & Bluevale) today at noon, with championship second-round games going this evening (6:30pm & 8pm at each school). Semifinals are noon starts on Saturday, again played at both sites with the championship round set for WCI --- consolation final at 6pm and the championship final at 7:30pm Saturday evening.
Here is the first round draw for today's games:
WCI Bracket
Noon: WCI #1 vs. St. David
1:30pm: Holy Cross vs. Eastwood
3pm: St. Mary's vs. WCI #2
4:30pm: Forest Heights vs. Stratford Central
Bluevale Bracket
Noon: Bluevale vs. St. James
1:30pm: SJAM vs. Welland Centennial
3pm: Resurrection vs. Grand River
4:30pm: Huron Hts. vs. KCI
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