WCSSAA Junior: Tuesday Results

From close games to blowouts, the first day of the WCSSAA junior regular season had it all.

For close games, the Bluevale Knights eked out a 49-48 win over the KCI Raiders, despite KCI's David Lomotey pouring in 29 points (a WCSSAA high on the day).  Brandon Toushan had 15 and Cody Hamley 13 for Bluevale, while Sam McLean added 10 more for the Raiders.

On the other end of the spectrum, the Grand River Renegades got 14 points from Aleks Cvrkalj and a nice dunk by Vatrik Odouk in a 71-40 rout over Preston.  Lucas Moffit led the way for the Panthers with a game-high 16 points.

Here's a look at the rest of the Tuesday action:

Eastwood 33, Jacob Hespeler 27
ECI's Cham Vjullu (11) was the lone player in double-figures in this low-scoring affair; Romy Simpson added 9 for the Rebs while Chad Dempster and Matt Quiring had 8 each for the Hawks.

Forest Hts. 62, Elmira 19
Romeo Johnson had 13 and Tim Gajdos 12 as the Trojans start out their season with a win.  Tyler Moser (7) and Jacob Fulton (4) were the Lancer top scorers.

Galt 53, WODSS 29
Andrew Allison (12) and Haseeb Malik (10) led the way for the Ghosts in this win, while Justin Wagler had a game-high 15 for the Crusaders.

Cameron Hts. 68, Southwood 35
The #1-ranked team in CWOSSA scored a big win on opening day backed by an 11-point outing from Ivan Cucak.  Moiz Masud scored 11 in response for the Sabres.

SJAM 47, Glenview Park 22
The 'Lander starters didn't see much court time in this one, as evidenced by Simon Petrov only netting 6.  Greg Zapp led the way with 9 for SJAM, while Tyrell Wolf had a game-high 11 for GPSS and Peter Hastings-Clarke adding 6.

WCI 65, Huron Heights 33
The Vikes scored 30 points in the opening quarter and didn't look back in this one.  Twin towers Ivan Bilandzic (14) and Shamar Bailey (13) led the way for WCI while Alex Pantea had a game-high 16 points for Huron with Bojan Oroz adding 9.

D10: Tuesday Results

Senior
No real surprises on Tuesday in the D10 basketball league as all four "favourites" posted double-digit wins.

Bishop Mac (4-0) stayed atop the current standings with a 64-41 win over "AA" rival Lourdes.  Jesse Kendall had 20 and Mitchell Wood 18 in the win, while Max Raab had 13 and Kevin Roche 10 for Lourdes.

Centennial (3-0) isn't far behind after a 65-42 win over Orangeville.  Erik Sterne netted 20 for the winners in that one.

Meanwhile, CWDHS (0-3) and Guelph CVI (0-4) are still searching for their first wins of the year.

CWDHS dropped a 59-46 decision at home to St. James, with the Lions' Mitch Marquis leading the way with 23 points and Zack McClenaghan adding 16.  Rookie Josh McEachern had 17 for CW, with James Scott netting 11.

JF Ross beat GCVI by a 79-39 score, with Mike Friesen scoring 23 and Kristian Vande Kemp adding 14.  Spencer Swan led the Gaels with 16.

Junior

Bishop Mac 61, Lourdes 52
BMAC:  Jake Chaput 18, Lukas Wood 14
OLOL:  Craig Valeriote 20, Alex Hudecki 10

JF Ross 64, Guelph CVI 25
JFR:  Daniel Street 16, Julian Renzetti/Mengis Hiyabu 10
GCVI:  E. Bersche 15

Centennial 69, Orangeville 48
CCVI:  C. Poloniato 20
ODSS:  Eric Kornack 19

St. James 57, CWDHS 36
STJ:  Izaih Farrell 12, Jack Tersigni 11
CW:  Nick McKellar 10, McKenzie Mathers 9 

WCSSAA & D10: Tuesday Picks

D10 YTD:  7-1
WCSSAA YTD:  0-0

D10
One game of note yesterday that saw Bishop Mac dominate Guelph CVI to the tune of 92-45.  Mitchell Wood (21) and Jesse Kendall (17) were the game's high scorers there.

Today, we have a full schedule including:

Lourdes (1-1) at Bishop Mac (3-0)
My Pick:  BMAC by 17
The Celtics have gotten off to a great start, and I don't expect them to fall at home today -- though they mustn't take the Crusaders lightly.

Centennial (2-0) at Orangeville (0-2)
My Pick:  CCVI by 22
The Spartans will move to 3-0 at the expense of the ODSS Bears.

St. James (1-1) at Centre Wellington (0-2)
My Pick:  STJ by 11
Look for the Lions to keep the Falcons winless today in Fergus.

Guelph CVI (0-3) at JF Ross (1-1)
My Pick:  JFR by 27
The Royals should get back on the winning track with a home win against the Gaels today.

WCSSAA
Eastwood over Jacob Hespeler (by 7)
WCI over Huron Heights (by 9)
Bluevale over KCI (by 15)
Forest Heights over Elmira (by 5)
SJAM over Glenview Park (by 16)
Grand River over Preston (by 32)
Cameron Heights over Southwood (by 26)
 

WCSSAA: Season Preview (Part I)

Today, I break down the top 8 teams in the WCSSAA league (with the other 7 --- WODSS doesn't have a team this year --- to follow tomorrow).

I'll also announce my projected order of finish and "first team" preseason all-stars today.  The second-teamers and "all-rookies" will come tomorrow.

We'll start with my WCSSAA Projected Order of Finish:
1.  Waterloo CI
2.  Cameron Heights CI
3.  Grand River CI
4.  Huron Heights SS
5.  Galt CI
6.  Bluevale CI
7.  SJAM
8.  Eastwood CI
9.  Jacob Hespeler SS
10.  Kitchener CI
11.  Glenview Park SS
12.  Forest Heights CI
13.  Southwood SS
14.  Elmira DSS
15.  Preston HS

WCSSAA First-Team Preseason All-Stars
Juwan Miller, G, Huron Heights (5'10"/4th Year)
Jack Simmons, F, Galt CI (6'8"/5th Year)
Jacob Ranton, F, WCI (6'7"/5th Year)
Vedran Dmitrovic, G, Cameron Hts. (6'0"/5th Year)
Jamal Murray, G, Grand River (6'4"/2nd Year)

Team Capsules

1.  Waterloo Collegiate Vikings 
The Vikes enter the season as my "pre-season favourite".  Sure, they went 1-2 at the Heinbuch, but you have to consider that they're a little late out of the starting blocks due to an extended volleyball season that ended with a silver medal at OFSAA.

WCI returns all 5 starters from a season ago, including a massive frontline featuring Jacob Ranton (6'7"), Dani Elgadi (6'6") and Malcolm Piazza (6'8").  Adam Anagnostopoulos and shooting guard Zach Totzke patrol the backcourt.  John McGowan is another veteran guard presence off the bench, while rookie Nick Johnny can provide some instant offense.

2.  Cameron Heights Collegiate Golden Gaels
Like WCI, Cameron Heights also returns virtually all of its scoring offense from a season ago.  

The Gaels will be led by preseason first-team selection Vedran Dmitrovic (6'0"/PG), while Nem Simic (6'1"/SG) will join him in the backcourt.  Up front, 6'6" Vlad Matovic is a threat on offense and defensively with his shot blocking ability, while Jason Thompson (6'2"/F) is an athletic swing forward.

Top junior grads include Nikola Trninic and Gord Erkic.

3.  Grand River Collegiate Renegades
Despite losing WCSSAA all-star Filip Cvrkalj to graduation, the Rens get a huge boost with two of the top junior players from a season ago moving up to join returning G/F Chuder Teny.

In fact, Jamal Murray, a 6'4" grade 10 guard, pumped home 31 points the other day against Guelph JF Ross, so it appears that he will be able to transition with relative ease to the senior ranks.  Murtada Khamis (PG, Grade 11) will help to solidify the backcourt.

Forwards Chris Coates and Nikola Bovan will be required to do their part on the defensive end and on the backboards.

4.  Huron Heights SS Huskies
The Huskies are set to climb the ranks of the WCSSAA standings thanks in part to a couple of key transfers that have made their way over to Huron this year.

5'10" PG (4th Year) Juwan Miller is the most decorated of the bunch, owing two WCSSAA championship plaques, a first-team WCSSAA all-star senior plaque, and a CWOSSA junior championship medal to this point in his high school career.  The addition of Miller instantly makes the Huskies a contender for one of WCSSAA's CWOSSA berths.

That's not all, though.  Junior Bradford (ex-CHCI junior) is a 6'0" SF who held his own in the Heinbuch, contributing 7 points and 6 rebounds against Toronto Oakwood.  Tyrelle Rafferty has also transferred over from Eastwood CI, although I understand that his eligibility is still under review.

Returning sharp-shooter Darcy Jacobs will bolster the backcourt, while Paul Gubek is another G/F who can stretch the defense.  Top junior grads from a Huron team that advanced to CWOSSA last season include Arshid Babury, Ahmed Radi and Tristan Kozub. 

5.  Galt Collegiate Ghosts
A couple of key returnees along with strong junior grads have optimism at a high level in Cambridge.  The Ghosts should be quite competitive in WCSSAA, and also at "AAA" CWOSSA where they are expected to compete with Brantford North Park for the CWOSSA crown.

6'8" SF Jack Simmons has the ability to go inside or out, as one of WCSSAA's top dual-threat forwards.  The addition of 6'5" SG TJ Lall from the junior ranks should ease some of the scoring burden off of Simmons; Lall had a 27-point outing against Mother Teresa this past weekend at the Heinbuch.

Guard Scott Holton and Forward Darren Saunders were unavailable this weekend at the Heinbuch, but will be key to Galt's success.  Lazar Stevanovic and Travis Simpson are other junior grads that should make an impact.

6.  Bluevale Collegiate Knights
The Knights have several veterans (and a couple new faces) that will try to mix together to form a WCSSAA contender.

Among the returnees, Lukas Seibert, John Efechaobor and Jeevan Sidhu will be key to Bluevale's success as will grade 10 Savo Krajisnik and Garret Large.

Centre Wellington transfer Jameson Drimmie Merkus should see plenty of court time and be able to contribute immediately.

7.  SJAM Highlanders
The 'Landers have a few players back from last year's WCSSAA runner-up and CWOSSA semifinalist squad, including 6'6" forward Quinn Turner and 6'3" SF Nathaniel Ellis (a 2nd team WCSSAA all-star) along with guard Theshawn Barry.  Replacing the offense generated by now-graduated guard Ben Reyhani, last year's scoring leader, will be the big question for SJAM to answer this year.

6'6" F Brett Parrott is the top player coming up from the junior squad.

8.  Eastwood Collegiate Rebels
The Rebels will be youthful, but athletic, and should be vastly improved from a season ago when they did not make the WCSSAA playoffs.

Key members of last year's WCSSAA junior finalist squad move up, including G Ousmane Kromah, F Tre Nicholson, PG Izzy Nemeth and SG Sydney Stewart.  They will certainly be undersized, but do have the athleticism to make up for some of that deficiency.

Overall, the Rebels are likely still a year away from making some serious noise, but they mustn't be overlooked this season either.

Tomorrow:  "All-Rookie" Team, Second Team All-Star Selections and a rundown of Teams 9-15 in the WCSSAA league.

D8 Monday: Senior Phoenix Come Back Against Saints

Despite trailing by as many as 13 points, the Resurrection Phoenix rallied from behind to defeat the St. Benedict Saints 59-49 on Monday afternoon at Resurrection CSS.

The Phoenix had a tough first half, but started to close the deficit in the third quarter and eventually took their first lead with under seven minutes to go.  A Patric McGlynn "and one" pushed the lead to 54-49 with under 1:30 to go and Rez would add the final 5 points of the game for the final margin.

McGlynn led the way with a game-high 18 points while Thomas Hunter (12) and Tyler Bartley (10) were also in double figures for Rez.  Aaron Zammit had 17 for St. Benedict with Tyler Moulton contributing 6.

In other senior D8 games:

Rockway 47, Woodland 20
Big win for Rockway as they get the "inside track" towards the "A" CWOSSA berth.  Tyler Schwartzentruber (12) and Jacob Ruesser (8) led the Flames while Ben Hoekstra and Steve Wang had 4 each for WCHS.

St. David 63, Mons. Doyle 47
The Celtics picked up their first win of the year and handed Monsignor Doyle their first loss on Monday.  Jake Winter (12), Matt Scanlon (11) and Francis Samson (11) were all in double-figures for St. David; Uzair Khan had a game-high 15 for Monsignor Doyle and Demitri Talidis added 6.

D8 Senior Standings
T1.  St. Mary's 2-0
T1.  Resurrection 2-0
3.  Mons. Doyle 2-1
4.  St. Benedict 1-1
5.  St. David 1-2
6.  Rockway 1-2
7.  Woodland 0-3

Junior

St. David 75, Mons. Doyle 69 (2OT)
Double OT thriller in Waterloo but the Celtics survive against the vastly improved Mustangs.  James McBride (19) and George Dumitru (18) led the Celtics while Ryan Stafford poured in a game-high 32 points for Doyle with Sohrob Sultani adding 22.

St. Benedict 54, Resurrection 48
Speaking of comebacks, the Saints turned a 6-point halftime deficit into a 6-point win.  Zubair Seyed led the way for St. Benedict with 13 points; Jake Rush had 16 for Rez with Ali Rashid (8) and Sean Begy (7) contributing as well.

Woodland 43, Rockway 36
The Cavs get an important early-season win thanks in part to 17 points from Shane Clarke, while Drew Carrick added 8 more.  Liam Robinson led the way for Rockway with 12, while Connor Huxman and Lukas Winter had 7 each.

D8 Junior Standings
T1.  St. Mary's 2-0
T2.  Mons. Doyle 2-1
T2.  St. David 2-1
T4.  Resurrection 1-1
T4.  St. Benedict 1-1
6.  Woodland 1-2
7.  Rockway 0-3

TheRecord: High School Teachers to Withdraw From Extracurricular Activities Dec. 10

TORONTO — Public high school teachers and support staff in Ontario will not take part in one-day rotating strikes planned by their colleagues in elementary schools, but they will withdraw from extracurricular activities starting next week.

The Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation said Monday that its 60,000 members will step up their protest against legislation that freezes most of their wages by showing up for work 15 minutes before classes and leaving immediately after their scheduled duties at the end of the day.

“OSSTF at this point is not prepared to take any full withdrawal of services, so we will not be participating in any of these rotating strikes,” union president Ken Coran said after meeting with 300 members of local bargaining units from across Ontario.

“They will be in the classrooms every day fulfilling their duties ... and making sure that the students are safe.”

But sports and clubs could be in jeopardy. In Waterloo Region, school board officials are planning to meet with local OSSTF representatives Tuesday morning to learn more about the union’s intentions.

The board’s working group then plans to meet to discuss what happens next for extracurricular activities such as winter sports teams.

“We don’t want to make any rash judgments,” said Mark Schinkel, the board’s executive superintendent of human resource services.

But he said the board relies on teachers to make sure those activities run smoothly.

“Running a full winter sports program depends on teachers,” he said. “It’s hard to conceive how sports would continue if teachers do a complete withdrawal from extracurricular activities.”

Earlier Monday, Education Minister Laurel Broten lashed out at teachers’ union leaders, saying they seemed set on strike action and are determined not to allow local contract agreements with a real wage freeze.

“It’s the union leaders — not our teachers — who refuse to accept our fiscal realities,” said Broten.

“We would like to see our union leaders climb down from the precipice on which they are now standing and re-engage in local conversations. I am asking the union leadership to choose improvements for the kids over improvements for themselves.”

The union has always said it would accept a wage freeze, but says Bill 115 erodes the teachers’ democratic rights for collective bargaining, said Coran.

In Waterloo Region, OSSTF local president Rob Gascho said Broten’s continued insistence that the wage freeze remains the stumbling block “is deliberate misrepresentation.

“Bill 115 must be repealed so that we and all Ontario workers can bargain their conditions of work freely,” he wrote in an email. “We understand the need for fiscal restraint and we have agreed to the wage freeze. What more does she want?”

Under Bill 115, the unions and school boards have until Dec. 31 to reach locally negotiated contracts, which must be approved by Broten, but the government can simply impose its own contracts on teachers starting in the new year.

The OSSTF cut off talks last week after teachers rejected local agreements with two school boards, and cancelled future ratification votes.

The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario is promising to give 72-hours notice before it takes strike action, but Broten said they walked out of contract talks with the province nine months ago.

The unions have gone to court to challenge Bill 115, which freezes the wages for most teachers while allowing inexperienced ones to still move up the salary grid.

The bill is modelled on an agreement the province reached with unions representing Catholic teachers, which was also accepted by Francophone teachers.

The government wants teachers, nurses, civil servants and all workers in the broader public sector to accept a two-year wage freeze to help trim a deficit of nearly $15 billion, but so far has only passed legislation affecting teachers.

The legislation also gives Broten the power to impose a contract and stop strikes, something she guaranteed parents will happen if necessary.

“We will do that if and when the circumstance presents itself where that is a reality,” she said. “At this point it is a threat.”

The Progressive Conservatives said the teachers were clearly ignoring the almost daily threats from Broten because the minister won’t use the powers she has now to prevent strikes and put parents’ minds at ease.

“Why should parents have to wait 72 hours,” asked PC education critic Lisa MacLeod.

“The minister of education can stop this in its tracks today, start fining union leaders and unions who violate the act immediately, and we could have all this behind us.”

The New Democrats have called Bill 115 “wrong-headed” and warned it would lead to expensive court challenges that will cost taxpayers even more in the long run if the government loses.

“The McGuinty Liberals promised parents that Bill 115 would bring stability to our schools,” said NDP education critic Peter Tabuns.

“Instead, it’s created turmoil in classrooms across Ontario and an expensive court battle that will cost Ontario millions.”

Retrieved From:  http://www.therecord.com/news/canada/article/847334--high-school-teachers-to-withdraw-from-extracurricular-activities-dec-10

D8: Monday Picks

YTD:  6-0 (1.000)

A couple tricky ones to pick on today's schedule, as I wouldn't be surprised to see all 3 go either way.

Rockway (0-2) at Woodland (0-2)
My Pick:  RMC by 5
I'll go with the Flames in a close one over the Woodland Cavs in this battle between D8's two "A" teams.

Mons. Doyle (2-0) at St. David (0-2)
My Pick:  MDCSS by 3
Toss-up here, as the Celtics have faced SMHS & SBCSS while the 'Stangs have picked up wins over Rockway and Woodland --- so throw the records out the window.  I'll go with MDCSS in a tight contest over in Waterloo.

St. Benedict (1-0) at Resurrection (1-0)
My Pick:  RCSS by 8
Rez's injury situation leaves this one in doubt, but I'll still go with the Phoenix at home here today.

Junior CWOSSA "Top 10" Power Ranking: Week One

I always say that the SJAM Highlander Hoopla is a tremendous "measuring stick" for CWOSSA's junior basketball teams.

This tournament certainly helped me gauge a few teams that I hadn't seen before, to come up with my new ranking for this week.  

Here goes:

1.  Cameron Heights CI / Kitchener (#1)

2.  Sir John A. MacDonald SS / Waterloo (#6)

3.  St. John's College / Brantford (#2)

4.  Waterloo Collegiate / Waterloo (#7)

5.  John F. Ross / Guelph (#3)

6.  Grand River Collegiate / Kitchener (#5)

7.  St. Mary's CHS / Kitchener (HM)

8.  Resurrection CSS / Kitchener (#8)

9.  St. David CSS / Waterloo (#4) - AAA

T10.  Eastwood Collegiate / Kitchener (HM)

T10.  Centennial CVI / Guelph (HM)

Honourable Mentions
St. Benedict / Cambridge
Bishop Macdonell / Guelph
Our Lady of Lourdes / Guelph
North Park / Brantford
St. James / Guelph
Forest Hts. / Kitchener

Senior CWOSSA "Top 10" Power Ranking: Week One

If we learned anything from this weekend, it's that it's going to be an interesting year in CWOSSA Senior Boys Basketball.

There were five "intra-CWOSSA" games in the Heinbuch alone that were determined by three points or less:

Centre Dufferin (by 1) over WCI; St. Mary's (by 1) over North Park; North Park (by 2) over Galt; St. Mary's (by 3) over WCI; and Cameron Heights (by 3) over North Park.

Safe to say I wouldn't be surprised to see any of these "top 10" teams beat each other depending on the day.

Here's a look at my new "top 10", with my preseason rank in brackets:

CWOSSA Senior "Top 10"

1.  Centre Dufferin / Shelburne (#5) - AA

2.  Cameron Heights / Kitchener (#2) 

3.  St. Mary's / Kitchener (#9)

4.  Waterloo CI / Waterloo (#1)

5.  Bishop Macdonell / Guelph (#3) - AA

6.  Grand River / Kitchener (#7)

7.  Huron Heights / Kitchener (#4)

8.  North Park / Brantford (HM) - AAA

9.  Centennial CVI / Guelph (#10)

10.  Galt Collegiate / Cambridge (#6) - AAA

Honourable Mentions
John F. Ross / Guelph
Bluevale / Waterloo
Our Lady of Lourdes / Guelph
Resurrection / Kitchener
St. James / Guelph
Assumption / Brantford
St. John's / Brantford 

Heinbuch Boxscore: Trojans Win Low-Scoring Affair

I'm curious to know if the North Park Trojans established a Heinbuch "record" with this win.

34 points - lowest score by a winning team in Heinbuch history?  The program notes the lowest scoring "game" ever was 55 combined points in 2005 between Oakwood (35) and WCI (20).  

At any rate, the Trojans prevailed in this second-round match-up against Galt Collegiate in a defensive struggle between these two "AAA" CWOSSA teams.  The game was tied 26-26 after three quarters, and then the teams went almost the first 4:00 of the fourth quarter without a point until a Nick Minutillo putback gave NPC a lead that they were able to hold on to down the stretch thanks to some key free throw shooting.

Galt actually had the ball after an NPC turnover (3.4 seconds left, inbounding from midcourt) but turned it over on the inbounds pass and did not get a final attempt off.

GCI   03-12-11-06 = 32
NPC  09-09-08-08 = 34

Galt
C. McInnis    1-3 FG, 0-0 FT, 7 Reb, 0 Ast - 2 Pts.
J. Simmons  3-17 FG, 4-4 FT, 7 Reb, 0 Ast - 10 Pts.
T. Simpson    1-2 FG, 0-0 FT, 2 Reb, 1 Ast - 2 Pts.
T. Lall          4-13 FG, 3-6 FT, 7 Reb, 2 Ast - 12 Pts.
F. Fayyaz      0-2 FG, 0-0 FT, 7 Reb, 1 Ast - 0 Pts.
----------
Stevanovic    2-6 FG, 1-4 FT, 2 Reb, 1 Ast - 6 Pts.
M. Motala    0-0 FG, 0-0 FT, 0 Reb, 0 Ast - 0 Pts.
D. Willaims   0-1 FG, 0-0 FT, 0 Reb, 0 Ast - 0 Pts.
T. Fancy       0-0 FG, 0-0 FT, 1 Reb, 0 Ast - 0 Pts.

Field Goals:  11-44 (.250).  Free-Throws:  8-14 (.571).  Three-Point Goals:  2-13, .154 (L. Stevanovic 1-3, T. Lall 1-6, J. Simmons 0-4).

North Park
M. Minutillo   2-8 FG, 0-0 FT, 7 Reb, 1 Ast - 5 Pts.
N. Minutillo  4-15 FG, 2-5 FT, 4 Reb, 1 Ast - 12 Pts.
E. Hamilton    2-3 FG, 1-2 FT, 7 Reb, 0 Ast - 5 Pts.
J. Dulmage     2-6 FG, 1-3 FT, 10 Reb, 1 Ast - 5 Pts.
V. Brar         2-13 FG, 3-4 FT, 8 Reb, 0 Ast - 7 Pts.
---------
B. McIvor      0-3 FG, 0-0 FT, 0 Reb, 1 Ast - 0 Pts.
C. Som          0-0 FG, 0-0 FT, 1 Reb, 0 Ast - 0 Pts.
A. Silla           0-1 FG, 0-0 FT, 1 Reb, 0 Ast - 0 Pts.

Field Goals:  12-49 (.245).  Free-Throws:  7-14 (.500).  Three-Point Goals:  3-13, .231 (N. Minutillo 2-6, M. Minutillo 1-4, B. McIvor 0-1, V. Brar 0-2).

Heinbuch Boxscore: Centre Dufferin 59, WCI 58

I've detailed this one in a previous post, but can now add the boxscore.  This was a well-played game by both teams, and what a first day of action at this year's Heinbuch (all games decided by 6 points or less on Thursday!).

After this game, the Royals went on to defeat Hamilton Westmount 73-62 (Marco Zanette, 17) to advance to the gold bracket (tournament semifinals) where they dropped a 68-44 decision to the eventual tournament champions from Toronto Oakwood.  

WCI       19-11-13-15 = 58
CDDHS 11-24-14-10 = 59

WCI (58)
Z. Totzke    1-7 FG, 0-0 FT, 4 Reb, 3 Ast - 2 Pts.
Anagnstpls  2-9 FG, 4-6 FT, 7 Reb, 3 Ast - 9 Pts.
J. Ranton   8-22 FG, 8-14 FT, 5 Reb, 0 Ast - 23 Pts.
D. Elgadi    6-13 FG, 0-0 FT, 13 Reb, 1 Ast - 15 Pts.
M. Piazza   1-5 FG, 0-1 FT, 7 Reb, 1 Ast - 2 Pts.
-----------
McGowan  0-1 FG, 0-0 FT, 0 Reb, 0 Ast - 0 Pts.
B. Vincic    0-2 FG, 0-0 FT, 3 Reb, 0 Ast - 0 Pts.
N. Johnny  2-4 FG, 0-0 FT, 0 Reb, 2 Ast - 5 Pts.
Thangaraj   0-0 FG, 0-0 FT, 0 Reb, 0 Ast - 0 Pts.

Field Goals:  20-63 (.317).  Free-Throws:  12-21 (.571).  Three-Point Goals:  6-16, .375 (D. Elgadi 3-4, N. Johnny 1-2, A. Anagnostopoulos 1-3, J. Ranton 1-5, Z. Totzke 0-2).

CDDHS (59)
D. Craig         3-6 FG, 3-3 FT, 4 Reb, 1 Ast - 9 Pts.
D. Costanzo  7-10 FG, 0-1 FT, 11 Reb, 2 Ast - 15 Pts.
M. Zanette    7-11 FG, 5-9 FT, 4 Reb, 5 Ast - 21 Pts.
M. Pflance     3-4 FG, 0-1 FT, 3 Reb, 3 Ast - 9 Pts.
C. Zanette    2-14 FG, 1-2 FT, 4 Reb, 2 Ast - 5 Pts.
-----------
D. Patel         0-1 FG, 0-0 FT, 1 Reb, 0 Ast - 0 Pts.

Field Goals:  22-46 (.478).  Free-Throws:  9-16 (.563).  Three-Point Goals:  6-18, .333 (M. Pflance 3-4, M. Zanette 2-4, D. Costanzo 1-3, D. Craig 0-1, D. Patel 0-1, C. Zanette 0-5).

Heinbuch: Thompson's Buzzer Beater Lifts Eagles to Bronze Title

After just one weekend, it's safe to say that the Eagles are well experienced in winning close games.

The Eagles went 3-1 over the weekend at the Heinbuch Tournament, defeating Waterloo CI 62-59 in the bronze final on a three-pointer just before the final buzzer by grade eleven guard Tyrick Thompson.  Thompson finished with 18 in the game for the Eagles, while WCI's Dani Elgadi also chipped in 18 points.

Looks like the youthful Eagles will be a solid team this season, even without a couple of notable players that transferred away (Mike Blumel & Adam Voll).

St. Mary's also defeated Ajax's J. Clarke Richardson 57-52 (Nathan Riley, 17) and nipped Brantford North Park 52-51 (Telloy Simon, 13) in the bronze semifinal.

The Eagles dropped a 54-41 decision to Stoney Creek Cardinal Newman in their opener, despite an impressive 21-point performance by Jermaine Lyle.

Nathan Riley was selected as a second-team all-star for the Eagles.

Junior Highlander Hoopla: Gaels Live Up To #1 Ranking

Alex Cvrkalj (L) and James McBride

This year's version of the Junior Highlander Hoopla was more difficult to win that normal.

With Friday games not being able to start until after the school day, several teams had to play 4 games on Saturday to try and take home a championship.

The end result?  The Cameron Heights Golden Gaels, my preseason #1 CWOSSA junior team, took out the SJAM Highlanders in the championship final.

Scores weren't immediately available from sources; however, here's a rundown of the winners and losers in this tournament, which was entirely made up of CWOSSA teams:

First Round
SJAM #1 over St. Mary's
Cameron Hts. over Huron Hts.
Brantford CI over SJAM #2
St. James over North Park
Forest Hts. over Assumption
Grand River over St. David
Resurrection over Bluevale
St. John's over Centre Wellington

Second Round
SJAM #1 over Huron Hts.
Cameron Hts. over St. Mary's
St. James over SJAM #2
North Park over Brantford CI
Grand River over Assumption
Forest Hts. over St. David
Resurrection over Centre Wellington
St. John's over Bluevale

Quarterfinals
SJAM #1 over North Park
Cameron Hts. over St. James
Grand River over Resurrection
St. John's over Forest Hts.

Semifinals
Cameron Hts. over Grand River
SJAM #1 over St. John's

Final
Cameron Hts. over SJAM #1

Freed's Invitational: Rez Seniors Reach Flight II Final

Despite being relatively shorthanded, the Resurrection CSS Senior Boys went 3-1 this past weekend in Windsor at the Freed's Invitational.

The Phoenix were missing starting forward Jake Gilbert and also lost another forward, Tyler Bartley, to injury in the first game of the tournament.

However, Rez reeled off wins over Windsor Brennan (48-41), Lasalle Villanova (54-51) and Georgetown Christ the King (50-47) to reach the championship final of Flight II, where they were defeated 48-32 by St. Basil from Sault Ste. Marie.

Onique Findlay led the Phoenix with 13.3 PPG (including 19 in the semi-final) as was named as a tournament all-star.

Toronto St. Mike's Won the "Flight I" championship over Windsor Catholic Central 52-49.  

D10 Catch-Up: Thursday's Results

An interesting Thursday on the D10 senior circuit, with an unexpected (at least by me, anyways) Orangeville win over Centre Wellington.

Here's a look at Thursday's D10 scores:

Senior

Bishop Mac 72, JF Ross 59
BMAC:  Michael Ganson 26, Jesse Kendall 17
JFR:  Michael Friesen 29, Kristian Vande Kemp 10

Lourdes 55, Guelph CVI 44
OLOL:  Max Raab 12, Kevin Roche 12
GCVI:  David Wesley-James 9

Centennial 58, St. James 48
CCVI:  Tarang Sharma 26, Erik Sterne 21
STJ:  Ryan Morales 15, Zack McClenaghan 13

Orangeville 56, Centre Wellington 48
ODSS:  Kyle Holmes 17, Deysean Thompson 16
CWDHS:  Ian Newman 9, Braewyn Bird & Josh McEachern 8

Junior

Centennial 51, St. James 45
CCVI:  Jasmer Brar 18, Mark Shinouda 13
STJ:  Keegan Feeney 11, Nick Marquis 10

JF Ross 56, Bishop Mac 42
JFR:  Harris Cornett 18, Jake Grant 18
BMAC:  Lukas Wood 16, Jack Morris 10

Centre Wellington 47, Orangeville 40
CW:  MacKenzie Mathers 21, Nick McKellar 10
ODSS:  Dave Anderson 11

Lourdes 65, Guelph CVI 30
OLOL:  Craig Valeriote 21, Alex Hudecki 11
GCVI:  K. Duong 16