Thanks to the Silver Fox website, which has a great historical compilation for their tournament as well as OFSAA, I've been able to pull out a historical listing of CWOSSA teams that have appeared at OFSAA.
All-Time AAA/AAA CWOSSA Medal Winners
*-Denotes AAA Medal during period where AAAA also existed
Gold
1973 - Kitchener Eastwood
1983 - Kitchener Cameron Heights
1987 - Kitchener St. Jerome's
1999 - Guelph St. James
2007* - Cambridge Southwood
Silver
1978 - Brantford St. John's
1993 - Brantford St. John's
2017 - Cambridge St. Benedict
Bronze
1990 - Kitchener Forest Heights
1998 - Guelph St. James
2005* - Brantford Assumption
Antique Bronze
2007 (AAAA) - Waterloo SJAM
2016 - Waterloo SJAM
AAA
1973 - Eastwood CI (Kitchener) - GOLD Medal over Toronto George Harvey, 56-38
1974 - Brantford CI (Quarterfinals) and Waterloo Collegiate
1975 - Guelph Centennial
Starting in 1976, "AAA" was reduced from 16 team to an 8-team field, so there are a couple of years with no CWOSSA entrants.
1976 - No CWOSSA participant
1977 - Guelph Centennial
1978 - St. John's (Brantford) - SILVER Medal - Championship Final loss 77-60 to St. Catharines Governor Simcoe & Guelph JF Ross (Quarterfinals)
1979 - No CWOSSA participant
1980 - Kitchener CI (Quarterfinals)
1981 - No CWOSSA participant
1982 - Cameron Heights (Kitchener) - Semifinalists
1983 - Cameron Heights (Kitchener) - GOLD Medal over Windsor Herman, 44-42
1984 - No CWOSSA participant
1985 - Brantford CI (Quarterfinals)
1986 - Kitchener St. Jerome's - Consolation Finalist
In 1987, OFSAA was once again a 16-team field
1987 - St. Jerome's (Kitchener) - GOLD Medal over Scarborough Stephen Leacock, 53-51 in OT on a buzzer beater!
1988 - St. John's (Brantford)
1989 - St. Jerome's (Kitchener)
1990 - Forest Heights (Kitchener) - BRONZE Medal over Ottawa Sir Robert Borden, 71-58.
1991 - Guelph JF Ross
1992 - Brantford North Park (Quarterfinals)
1993 - St. John's (Brantford) - SILVER Medal - Championship Final loss 58-36 to Oakwood
1994 - Kitchener Cameron Heights (Quarterfinals)
1995 - Guelph JF Ross (Quarterfinals)
1996 - Guelph JF Ross (Quarterfinals)
1997 - Guelph St. James
1998 - Guelph St. James - BRONZE Medal over Windsor Catholic Central, 55-47
1999 - Guelph St. James - GOLD Medal over Hamilton Cathedral, 83-59 & Brantford St. John's (Quarterfinals)
2000 - Brantford Assumption (Quarterfinals)
2001 - Guelph Centennial (Quarterfinals)
In 2002, AAAA was created
2002 (AAA) - Cambridge Glenview Park
2002 (AAAA) - Brantford Assumption & Kitchener CI
2003 (AAA) - Brantford Assumption
2003 (AAAA) - Kitchener CI & Cambridge St. Benedict
2004 (AAA) - Brantford Assumption (Quarterfinals)
2004 (AAAA) - Kitchener CI & Waterloo CI
2005 (AAA) - Brantford Assumption - BRONZE Medal over Brampton D'Youville 83-75
2005 (AAAA) - Waterloo CI (Quarterfinals) & Kitchener CI
2006 (AAA) - Waterloo SJAM
2006 (AAAA) - Kitchener CI (Quarterfinals) & Kitchener Grand River
2007 (AAA) - Cambridge Southwood - GOLD Medal over Windsor Catholic Central 39-37
2007 (AAAA) - Waterloo SJAM - ANTIQUE BRONZE Medal (Bronze Game Loss 55-48 to Toronto Henry Carr) & Guelph Centennial
2008 (AAA) - Brantford St. John's & Waterloo St. David
2008 (AAAA) - Kitchener Forest Heights & Guelph Centennial
2009 (AAA) - Waterloo St. David (Quarterfinals)
2009 (AAAA) - Guelph Centennial & Waterloo SJAM
2010 (AAA) - Brantford North Park
2010 (AAAA) - Waterloo Bluevale & Guelph JF Ross
2011 (AAA) - Brantford North Park
2011 (AAAA) - Kitchener Cameron Heights & Guelph JF Ross
2012 (AAA) - Cambridge Jacob Hespeler
2012 (AAAA) - Kitchener St. Mary's & Guelph JF Ross
2013 (AAA) - Brantford North Park (Quarterfinals)
2013 (AAAA) - Kitchener St. Mary's & Waterloo CI
2014 (AAA) - Guelph St. James (Consolation Champions)
2014 (AAAA) - Kitchener St. Mary's (Consolation Finalist) & Kitchener Cameron Heights
2015 (AAA) - Guelph St. James
2015 (AAAA) - Waterloo SJAM (Quarterfinalist) & Kitchener St. Mary's
From 2016 onward, AAA became the highest OFSAA classification
2016 - Waterloo SJAM - ANTIQUE BRONZE Medal (Bronze Game Loss 62-38 to Toronto St. Mike's)
2017 - Cambridge St. Benedict - SILVER Medal (Gold Game Loss 71-70 to Toronto St. Mike's)
2018 - Fergus Centre Wellington
2019 - Kitchener Eastwood
Monday, February 25, 2019
Thursday, December 13, 2018
4th Annual Jacob Ranton Memorial Tournament This Weekend!
With 14 CWOSSA teams in attendance (out of 16 total) this weekend at WCI and Bluevale for the Jacob Ranton Memorial Basketball -- there's a good chance that this tournament will help to sort out who the teams to watch out for as "AA" and "AAA" CWOSSA contenders might be.I'll start with the basketball analysis, and then get into the more important aspect of the tournament.
Tournament Draw
A couple of great first round games await on Friday -- including the upstart Galt Ghosts (who currently sit alone in 2nd in the WCSSAA standings) taking on the Grand River Renegades, a game that goes at 1:30pm at Bluevale.
Whoever wins that one, I look to advance to the semifinals against (most likely) Resurrection or Huron Heights. Both of those teams are off to strong starts -- keyed by big contributions from junior aged players, including Josiah Davis (Gr. 10, HHSS) and Jahsemar Olembe (Gr. 9, RCSS).
On the flip side of the draw (first round games at WCI), the St. Mary's Eagles have traditionally had success at this tournament -- and this year should be no different. A potential second round game against Ancaster HS (currently 5-0 in Hamilton Public) should be a dandy.
Meanwhile, one should never count out the WCI Vikings. They usually punch above their weight class (regardless of their roster) in this tournament, and I wouldn't be surprised to see them in the semifinals on Friday evening. By the same token, I wouldn't be surprised to see any of the teams in that top quadrant there either.
The Tournament's Legacy: Mental Health Promotion
Since it's inception, the tournament has done a tremendous job promoting the importance of mental health, as well as fundraising for the Waterloo Region Suicide Prevention Council -- raising over $110 000 in the last 3 years (make sure to check out the silent auction this weekend, or donate at this link here).
Named in honour of former WCI and Memorial University star Jacob Ranton, who took his own life in December, 2014, the tournament organizers have done a tremendous job with promoting the message that "it's OK not to be OK", and the importance of reaching out for help. Former NHL goalie Clint Malarchuk, who himself struggled with mental illness -- including a suicide attempt, is scheduled to give a talk on Friday.
“Hopefully by us dialoging, talking about mental health, suicide prevention and raising funds for suicide prevention, we can help him (Jacob) allow other kids not to feel the pain he did and ask for help when needed,” Jacob’s dad, Doug Ranton (a guidance counsellor and former basketball coach at WCI), mentioned to the 570News’ Mike Farwell show last year.
Many people use the stats "1 in 4", or "1 in 5", when it comes to talking about mental illness. However, I would argue that it's really "5 in 5". We're all in this battle together, and whether you are suffering from mental illness, or a potential support for someone suffering -- we all have an important role to play that is no different from each individual's role to play during a diagrammed basketball play; it works best when we all understand the goal and are striving for the same objective.
Here 24/7 -- (844) 437-3247 -- is a number available anytime to call to access addictions, mental health and crisis services – the service is partnered with 12 agencies across Waterloo/Wellington.
Stay tuned to my twitter feed, @CWOSSABBall, for results and info.
Monday, May 28, 2018
Adidas Top 40 Junior Camp: MVPs, All-Stars, And More!
As is the custom, this weekend's Adidas Top 40 Junior Camp concluded with the announcement of the MVP and All-Star awards.
Certainly, the talent year's camp provided some tough decisions for Camp Director Imad Qahwash and his fellow camp coaches, although it was something that Qahwash anticipated going into it.
"This is totally what I expect from our region and the talent from here. I think our coaches throughout this weekend really pushed our guys to their full potential from start to finish; in turn, it certainly led to some tough decisions with regards to all-star selections," said Qahwash.
"I definitely want to thank the staff, coaches, players, parents and media for supporting our players and this event. We are grateful and fortunate to have something like this for players to shoot and be a part of," he added.
Without further ado, here's a look at the MVP and All-Star Selections, as well as several additional players that I think post-secondary coaches should keep tabs on as they progress through the high-school ranks:
CO-MVPs: Kyle Fazekas (5'9" PG, Grade 10 - Windsor St. Anne) & Trent Johnson (6'4" SF, Grade 10 - Cambridge St. Benedict).
Both players certainly earned their spot in the camp spotlight with consistent, top-notch performances in drills / skill sessions and during competitive gameplay.
Fazekas, a 5'9" PG, is the consummate floor general. He makes those around him better; excellent leadership skills, and is a true "mini-professional" in terms of how he approaches the game. You could consider him a "sponge" in terms of soaking up the knowledge provided by coaches, applying that knowledge while also looking to continually improve. Despite being from out of town, I look forward to keeping tabs on him throughout his high school career.
As for Johnson, a 6'4" SF, he came into the weekend with confidence -- after all, he played Senior basketball at St. Benedict this past season, where he was exposed to some tremendous competition with their grueling schedule. As I mentioned in my preview, he scored 20+ points in the SBCSS Tournament Final against a Cathedral team that won the OFSAA bronze medal, and his scoring exploits were certainly on display during this past weekend -- he is absolutely lethal in the catch-and-shoot, but by no means is he a one-dimension talent. If you play up on him too much, he does have the athleticism to drive-by; his length also makes him a bit of a pest on the defensive end. Under the tutelage of Coach Malnerich and company at SBCSS, Johnson should be able to have some tremendous success as he continues his senior career over the next couple of years.
All-Stars
Brock Newton (6'5" G/F, Grade 10 - CWDHS)
Newton was head-and-shoulders above much of the camp this weekend -- literally. He possesses excellent size at (essentially) a 2/3 spot; obviously, his offensive game is well known and discussed, but I was personally impressed with what he showcased on the defensive end this weekend as well, especially in terms of ball-pressure and getting after guards on the perimeter. Like Johnson, he had played up at the senior ranks this past season, and will now go into next year with a CWOSSA title and OFSAA appearance under his belt. His confidence (and swagger) are evident, and he's a sure-fire post-secondary prospect.
Stefan Djukic (6'8" F, Grade 10 - Huron Heights)
Djukic, a 6'8" big-man, brings small-forward like skills to the court. He displayed a tremendous midrange game over the course of the weekend, and isn't afraid to handle the ball if needed. Of course, he parlays those skills with his size and length, which makes him a factor on the defensive side of the ball. As he fills out his frame, he'll continue to be a big-time prospect on the radar of post-secondary programs.
Aman Saleh (6'0" G, Grade 10 - Grand River)
I referred to Saleh as the "microwave" in an earlier camp post, and for good reason -- this guy is an
absolute pure scorer that can get things cooking from anywhere on the court. Inside, outside, athletic maneuvers, he's always in a position to do some damage. The leading scorer in the WCSSAA Junior league this past season, he'll be making the transition up to the senior ranks next season at Grand River. Certainly looking forward to tracking his progress at the next level!
Marcus Barnes (6'1" G, Grade 9 - Cameron Heights)
Many people -- including myself -- argue that the biggest development leap for many student-athletes takes place between grade 9 and 10. If that's the case, then the CWOSSA region has been put on notice for Marcus Barnes.
Not like they weren't already, after seeing some of his performances this past season (4 games of 22+ points), but you get the idea. Some guards will find the transfer between junior and senior basketball challenging, but I can assure you that Barnes won't be one of them. He already has a senior-like skill-set and had some of the coaches talking about a couple of post-secondary players to whom he reminded them. Certainly, things can change over the course of a high-school career, but the sky appears to be the limit for this young man.
Tomisin Banjoko (6'3" G/F, Waterloo Collegiate)
Another player that has a well-rounded game; his athleticism is evident and above many of his peers -- and it seems as though Banjoko will be next in the long line of talented WCI 'ballers. One of the most steady, consistent performers all weekend, he certainly made sure the little things were done well. Very coachable, excellent young man who can quickly adapt to a camp setting like this and his new teammates. Great camp, and a bright future!
Other Notable Talents
In my view, the following players certainly impressed and were definitely in the mix for all-star consideration. All had excellent camps, and will be forces to be reckoned with throughout their high school careers:
Kevin Martinez (5'9" PG, Lourdes) - One of the best leaders at camp (as you'd want at the PG position), and a player that is always looking to improve his game. Strong as a scorer and distributor; tremendous competitor with a will to win -- I mentioned previously how he put Lourdes on his back this past playoff season as they ran through the D10 playoffs.
Richard Spencer-Raymond (6'1" G, Brantford CI) - Personally, he was one of my favourites at camp. Loved his athleticism, and ability on both ends of the floor. Was willing to sacrifice (taking charges, going after balls out of bounds, etc.), which some players don't want to do. The scary thing? He's only a grade nine.
Jaxon Butler-Davis (6'4" F, St. Benedict) - Helped his squad battle all the way back on Sunday afternoon, displaying his outside shooting ability. However, he has the athleticism to boot (as evidenced by his variety of dunks that he threw down during warmups). Certainly he and fellow Saint, co-MVP Brent Johnson, will be a force in the D8 league next season.
Milos Nenadic (6'5" F, Cameron Heights) - Another grade nine that really impressed me. His length was notable and serves him well on the defensive end of the floor. Offensively, he impressed with his mid-range game and ball-handling ability (for his size). Coachable, really took lessons provided to heart and utilized them during drills/game situations.
Shiloh Worthy (6'4" F, Resurrection) - Keeping with the grade nine theme, Shiloh is an athletic big man that has a very high ceiling. Almost has a "senior body" already; able to shoot the three, and not afraid to bang on the interior. One to keep an eye on.
Of course, that's just a short sample of the overall talent this weekend -- the majority of players at camp were top players on their team, league all-stars, etc., and there are sure to be numerous players not mentioned above that will have many successes in their high school careers and move on to play at the next level. It was a lot of fun to watch these young men compete this past weekend and I look forward to keeping tabs on them going forward!
Certainly, the talent year's camp provided some tough decisions for Camp Director Imad Qahwash and his fellow camp coaches, although it was something that Qahwash anticipated going into it.
"This is totally what I expect from our region and the talent from here. I think our coaches throughout this weekend really pushed our guys to their full potential from start to finish; in turn, it certainly led to some tough decisions with regards to all-star selections," said Qahwash.
"I definitely want to thank the staff, coaches, players, parents and media for supporting our players and this event. We are grateful and fortunate to have something like this for players to shoot and be a part of," he added.
Without further ado, here's a look at the MVP and All-Star Selections, as well as several additional players that I think post-secondary coaches should keep tabs on as they progress through the high-school ranks:
CO-MVPs: Kyle Fazekas (5'9" PG, Grade 10 - Windsor St. Anne) & Trent Johnson (6'4" SF, Grade 10 - Cambridge St. Benedict).Both players certainly earned their spot in the camp spotlight with consistent, top-notch performances in drills / skill sessions and during competitive gameplay.
Fazekas, a 5'9" PG, is the consummate floor general. He makes those around him better; excellent leadership skills, and is a true "mini-professional" in terms of how he approaches the game. You could consider him a "sponge" in terms of soaking up the knowledge provided by coaches, applying that knowledge while also looking to continually improve. Despite being from out of town, I look forward to keeping tabs on him throughout his high school career.
As for Johnson, a 6'4" SF, he came into the weekend with confidence -- after all, he played Senior basketball at St. Benedict this past season, where he was exposed to some tremendous competition with their grueling schedule. As I mentioned in my preview, he scored 20+ points in the SBCSS Tournament Final against a Cathedral team that won the OFSAA bronze medal, and his scoring exploits were certainly on display during this past weekend -- he is absolutely lethal in the catch-and-shoot, but by no means is he a one-dimension talent. If you play up on him too much, he does have the athleticism to drive-by; his length also makes him a bit of a pest on the defensive end. Under the tutelage of Coach Malnerich and company at SBCSS, Johnson should be able to have some tremendous success as he continues his senior career over the next couple of years.
All-Stars
Brock Newton (6'5" G/F, Grade 10 - CWDHS)Newton was head-and-shoulders above much of the camp this weekend -- literally. He possesses excellent size at (essentially) a 2/3 spot; obviously, his offensive game is well known and discussed, but I was personally impressed with what he showcased on the defensive end this weekend as well, especially in terms of ball-pressure and getting after guards on the perimeter. Like Johnson, he had played up at the senior ranks this past season, and will now go into next year with a CWOSSA title and OFSAA appearance under his belt. His confidence (and swagger) are evident, and he's a sure-fire post-secondary prospect.
Stefan Djukic (6'8" F, Grade 10 - Huron Heights)Djukic, a 6'8" big-man, brings small-forward like skills to the court. He displayed a tremendous midrange game over the course of the weekend, and isn't afraid to handle the ball if needed. Of course, he parlays those skills with his size and length, which makes him a factor on the defensive side of the ball. As he fills out his frame, he'll continue to be a big-time prospect on the radar of post-secondary programs.
Aman Saleh (6'0" G, Grade 10 - Grand River)I referred to Saleh as the "microwave" in an earlier camp post, and for good reason -- this guy is an
absolute pure scorer that can get things cooking from anywhere on the court. Inside, outside, athletic maneuvers, he's always in a position to do some damage. The leading scorer in the WCSSAA Junior league this past season, he'll be making the transition up to the senior ranks next season at Grand River. Certainly looking forward to tracking his progress at the next level!
Marcus Barnes (6'1" G, Grade 9 - Cameron Heights)Many people -- including myself -- argue that the biggest development leap for many student-athletes takes place between grade 9 and 10. If that's the case, then the CWOSSA region has been put on notice for Marcus Barnes.
Not like they weren't already, after seeing some of his performances this past season (4 games of 22+ points), but you get the idea. Some guards will find the transfer between junior and senior basketball challenging, but I can assure you that Barnes won't be one of them. He already has a senior-like skill-set and had some of the coaches talking about a couple of post-secondary players to whom he reminded them. Certainly, things can change over the course of a high-school career, but the sky appears to be the limit for this young man.
Tomisin Banjoko (6'3" G/F, Waterloo Collegiate)Another player that has a well-rounded game; his athleticism is evident and above many of his peers -- and it seems as though Banjoko will be next in the long line of talented WCI 'ballers. One of the most steady, consistent performers all weekend, he certainly made sure the little things were done well. Very coachable, excellent young man who can quickly adapt to a camp setting like this and his new teammates. Great camp, and a bright future!
Other Notable Talents
In my view, the following players certainly impressed and were definitely in the mix for all-star consideration. All had excellent camps, and will be forces to be reckoned with throughout their high school careers:
Kevin Martinez (5'9" PG, Lourdes) - One of the best leaders at camp (as you'd want at the PG position), and a player that is always looking to improve his game. Strong as a scorer and distributor; tremendous competitor with a will to win -- I mentioned previously how he put Lourdes on his back this past playoff season as they ran through the D10 playoffs.
Richard Spencer-Raymond (6'1" G, Brantford CI) - Personally, he was one of my favourites at camp. Loved his athleticism, and ability on both ends of the floor. Was willing to sacrifice (taking charges, going after balls out of bounds, etc.), which some players don't want to do. The scary thing? He's only a grade nine.
Jaxon Butler-Davis (6'4" F, St. Benedict) - Helped his squad battle all the way back on Sunday afternoon, displaying his outside shooting ability. However, he has the athleticism to boot (as evidenced by his variety of dunks that he threw down during warmups). Certainly he and fellow Saint, co-MVP Brent Johnson, will be a force in the D8 league next season.
Milos Nenadic (6'5" F, Cameron Heights) - Another grade nine that really impressed me. His length was notable and serves him well on the defensive end of the floor. Offensively, he impressed with his mid-range game and ball-handling ability (for his size). Coachable, really took lessons provided to heart and utilized them during drills/game situations.
Shiloh Worthy (6'4" F, Resurrection) - Keeping with the grade nine theme, Shiloh is an athletic big man that has a very high ceiling. Almost has a "senior body" already; able to shoot the three, and not afraid to bang on the interior. One to keep an eye on.
Of course, that's just a short sample of the overall talent this weekend -- the majority of players at camp were top players on their team, league all-stars, etc., and there are sure to be numerous players not mentioned above that will have many successes in their high school careers and move on to play at the next level. It was a lot of fun to watch these young men compete this past weekend and I look forward to keeping tabs on them going forward!
Sunday, May 27, 2018
Adidas Tri-City Junior Top 40 Camp: Day 3 Recap
**Note: All-Stars / Notable Camp Performers Will Follow In A Separate Post. This post does feature notable performers from today's games**
After two solid days, the expectations were certainly raised going into the final day of this year's Tri-City Junior Top 40 Camp.
Most players had elevated their game and compete level between days one and two, and, as the third day got underway, it was clear that the competitive spirit reached new heights.
"I was very proud of the effort, energy and competitiveness," noted Camp Director Imad Qahwash, "everyone was getting after it and leaving it all out on the floor."
Perhaps this was most evident as the morning station sessions wound down. After a continuous one-on-one drill, one camper from each team was selected to represent their team -- with the winning team being exempt from doing a "cupcake" (essentially a suicide combined with pushups). Brock Newton, Stefan Djukic, Trent Johnson and Kyle Fazekas were the representatives; it was a thrilling competition in which Newton eventually prevailed:
After two solid days, the expectations were certainly raised going into the final day of this year's Tri-City Junior Top 40 Camp.
Most players had elevated their game and compete level between days one and two, and, as the third day got underway, it was clear that the competitive spirit reached new heights.
"I was very proud of the effort, energy and competitiveness," noted Camp Director Imad Qahwash, "everyone was getting after it and leaving it all out on the floor."
Perhaps this was most evident as the morning station sessions wound down. After a continuous one-on-one drill, one camper from each team was selected to represent their team -- with the winning team being exempt from doing a "cupcake" (essentially a suicide combined with pushups). Brock Newton, Stefan Djukic, Trent Johnson and Kyle Fazekas were the representatives; it was a thrilling competition in which Newton eventually prevailed:
Not to be outdone, 6'5" Brock Newton with a nice run.... @Top40Camp #TriCityJr40 pic.twitter.com/A7gNxgSbZv— CWOSSA Basketball (@CWOSSABball) May 27, 2018
Moving on to the day's games after lunch, there was a lot to be determined -- both in terms of the final standings between the teams, and the camp's prestigious MVP and All-Star awards. Here's a look at the games:
Team Murray (Black) vs. Team Wiggins (Red)
Things started in this one the same way that they finished for Team Wiggins on Saturday -- with Aman Saleh (GRCI) making a big impact on the offensive end. He was off and running early, with a couple of early baskets, including this one:
Aman Saleh (GRCI) continuing his scoring prowess early. Wiggins up 8-5 early. #TriCityJr40 @Top40Camp pic.twitter.com/4kD35YsQ1J— CWOSSA Basketball (@CWOSSABball) May 27, 2018
On the other side, Ozay Davis (SMHS) was tuned in from behind the arc, hitting a couple of deep three-pointers that helped Team Murray maintain contact early on.
After a bit of back-and-forth, Team Wiggins' "Big Three" of Tomisin Banjoko (WCI), Saleh, and Kyle Fazekas (Windsor St. Anne) went to work in extending their lead. A three-ball by Fazekas pushed the lead up to 8:
Wiggins on a big run right now. Windsor product Kyle Fazekas cashing a catch-and-shoot inbounds 3; Wiggins up 25-17. #TriCityJr40 pic.twitter.com/95Dt7ENIUT— CWOSSA Basketball (@CWOSSABball) May 27, 2018
The lead actually stretched to double-digits, before Jaxon Butler-Davis made an impression. He had a nice put-back lay-up on an offensive rebound, and followed it up with this three-pointer:
Jaxon Butler-Davis doing his part for Team Murray; he followed up a putback lay-in with this three-pointer off of transition... #TriCityJr40 @Top40Camp pic.twitter.com/SU0AfFOqTP— CWOSSA Basketball (@CWOSSABball) May 27, 2018
Saleh had 14 points in a high-scoring first half that ended with Wiggins up 39-36.
The second half started with more of the same.
Saleh and Banjoko did much of the early damage, with Saleh hitting a couple of buckets and then finding Banjoko for an open three-pointer, which stretched the lead out to 13 points, at 60-47.
Cue the comeback.
Team Murray's Evan Roth and Butler-Davis knocked home back-to-back three pointers, and the threes kept raining from there.
In fact, Roth knocked home three in a row from behind the arc, while Butler-Davis also knocked home a couple more, resulting in a 69-64 Murray lead with 5:00 to go:
Evan Roth with his 3rd three of the half, and Team Murray has brought this all the way back! They now lead by 1. #TriCityJr40 pic.twitter.com/Xeh15rDhNI— CWOSSA Basketball (@CWOSSABball) May 27, 2018
It was back-and-forth from there, with both teams scoring clutch baskets down the stretch. When it was a two-point game with under 2 minutes to go, Murray's Brock Newton came through with a huge offensive rebound and put-back to give them a 4 point cushion:
BIG putback by Brock Newton with under 2 mins to go; this gives Murray a 4pt lead. #TriCityJr40 pic.twitter.com/C6mR9dMnzN— CWOSSA Basketball (@CWOSSABball) May 27, 2018
Team Wiggins, though, made one last push. Down 3 points with under :30 to go, they had a couple of cracks at tying three-pointers, including one in the waning seconds by Kyle Fazekas that just went off the back rim -- allowing Team Murray to hold on for the come-from-behind 74-71 win in a thriller.
Team Harden (Grey) vs. Team Lillard (Blue)
Both these squads had the screws tightened on defense early in this one, as it took a handful of possessions before Marcus Barnes opened the scoring for Team Lillard, finding himself open from beyond the arc:
Marcus Barnes not hesitating. Gets a bit of room, and opens the game's scoring for Team Lillard. #TriCityJr40 pic.twitter.com/00lciMbq8u— CWOSSA Basketball (@CWOSSABball) May 27, 2018
Barnes' back-court mate, fellow grade 9 from Brantford CI, Richard Spencer-Raymond, also continued his strong play over from Saturday. He was doing a great job of taking care of the "little things" -- from stepping in to attempt to take a charge, to diving after a loose ball going out of bounds.
Team Harden, though, was able to withstand the strong early play of those two with some strong play of their own. Most notably, Grade 9 F Milos Nenadic, who had a couple of nice baskets on consecutive possessions:
Grade 9 Milos Nenadic not fazed by the defense of 6'7" Stefan Djukic. Followed up a nice up-and-under move with this drive to the basket: pic.twitter.com/wNfK8HFNFe— CWOSSA Basketball (@CWOSSABball) May 27, 2018
Djukic did get his revenge on the other end, scoring 6 consecutive points at one point for Team Lillard, to keep them within range.
Before the half was out, Julian Fordyce went on a nice push for Harden, knocking down a three-pointer before following that up with a nice step-through for a lay-up, and a 34-25 Team Harden lead at halftime.
Lillard came out of the break strong, with Tyshawn Brown converting an "and one" as part of a 5-0 run out of halftime to quickly cut the lead down to 4 points.
However, Harden was in "bend, but don't break" mode as they were able to consistently maintain a several-basket cushion. CWDHS' Aiden Davy finished this putback, which pushed the lead up to double-figures:
Aiden Davy (CWDHS) cleaning up on the inside and extending the Harden lead to double digits, 46-35. #TriCityJr40 pic.twitter.com/xo2ot8iWe8— CWOSSA Basketball (@CWOSSABball) May 27, 2018
Trent Johnson (SBCSS) followed that up with an "and-one" for a 51-39 lead with 1:30 to go, and it looked like this one would be over.
Not so fast.
Like a lightning bolt, Team Lillard struck for 7 quick points in about 45 seconds (Barnes being in the middle of a couple of those baskets); that spurt trimmed the deficit to 5.
In the end, though, Harden was able to tack on a couple more from the line, and win it, 54-48.
Mark's "Top 5": Day 3
The below are 6 (I couldn't decide on just 5, sorry!) guys that stuck out to me either during drills, games, or both on day 3. Note that I'll be doing a separate post on the camp all-stars, and other notable players tomorrow.
Jaxon Butler-Davis (SBCSS / Team Murray): One half of Team Murray's dynamic duo that started the comeback in their game against Team Wiggins, Butler-Davis was able to do it on the inside and from beyond the arc. At 6'4", with his skillset, he should be able to make a seamless transition to Senior Basketball for the Saints next season.
Evan Roth (GRCI / Team Murray): Roth caught fire in the second half, knocking home three straight attempted three-pointers to fuel Team Murray. That being said, he wasn't forcing the action, letting the game come to him and making heady decisions during the comeback run.
Aman Saleh (GRCI / Team Wiggins): Certified Bucket Getter. 14 in the first-half, and (although official tallies weren't kept), easily probably finished in the mid-20s for Team Wiggins. Drives, jumpers, acrobatic shots (like above) -- you name it, he did it.
Brock Newton (CWDHS / Team Murray): Have to give Newton a shout-out not only for his consistent strong performances during the games, but also for winning the "1-on-1" battle and saving his team the "cupcake punishment".
Shiloh Worthy (RCSS / Team Murray): Really impressed me during 1-on-1 drills, using his length to block opponent shots at will, while also getting to the rim. A 6'4" grade 9, certainly has tremendous upside and potential.
Tomisin Banjoko (WCI / Team Wiggins): The other half of Wiggins' 'dynamic duo' with Aman Saleh, Banjoko had things working on the offensive end while also being a big-time pest on defense, racking up several deflections and steals.
Stay tuned for a separate post featuring the overall camp All-Stars, MVPs, and a few other notable performers that are worthy of a shout-out!
Saturday, May 26, 2018
Tri-City Top 40 Junior Camp in Coordination with Adidas Brand: Day 2 Recap
The second day of action at the Tri-City Top 40 was one that did not disappoint. From what I saw, it was clear that campers -- despite often being rivals during the high school season -- have quickly made adjustments and gelled with their teammates to provide some high-level basketball.
"Historically, day two at the Top 40 Camp is always better than the first," noted Camp Director Imad Qahwash.
"Our coaching staff are very proud of the effort and attitude throughout camp. There is defintely some next level talent at this camp -- OCAA, USports, and potentially Division 1."
Along with Saturday's drills, skill stations, and coaching expertise, there were also some lessons given to campers when they weren't handling a basketball.
"Our players also had a great opportunity to listen to Coach Justin Seresse (Laurier Head Coach - USports) who spoke about the value of hard work and dedication on the way to the next level," said Qahwash.
"It was also amazing to have Javon Masters -- an All-Canadian and the all-time leading scorer in Canadian University history -- speak to our guys, especially being here from the region. Our players are fortunate to have an opportunity to get this kind of information from guest speakers and coaches that we have at camp," Qahwash added.
The campers were able to digest some of those comments over lunch, and parlay the lessons learned during their afternoon games. Here's how those went down:
Team Wiggins (Red) vs. Team Harden (Grey)
This one started as a back-and-forth affair, before Team Wiggins was able to go on a bit of a run in the first half. The catalyst? Although he wasn't on the scoresheet, Aidan Vachon was one of the campers who took the lessons about "doing the little things" to heart, taking a charge and setting the tone for his squad -- who were able to convert on several opportunities on the other end.
A three-pointer by Tariq Hamad (NPC) pushed the lead to double-digits for Team Wiggins, and they maintained that into the halftime break.
Team Wiggins maintained their offensive spark to start the second half, keyed early on by Aman Saleh, WCSSAA's leading scorer from this past junior season. He hit a well-contested three-pointer which put Wiggins up by a 38-21 count.
Cue the Trent Johnson show.
The grade 10 St. Benedict product, who played up for the Saints' senior squad this past season, started heating up from beyond the arc, putting home a trio of three-pointers in a row, and 11 points during one three minute stretch:
In fact, Johnson's burst was able to get Team Harden to within 4 points with about 5 minutes to go.
"Historically, day two at the Top 40 Camp is always better than the first," noted Camp Director Imad Qahwash.
"Our coaching staff are very proud of the effort and attitude throughout camp. There is defintely some next level talent at this camp -- OCAA, USports, and potentially Division 1."
Along with Saturday's drills, skill stations, and coaching expertise, there were also some lessons given to campers when they weren't handling a basketball.
"Our players also had a great opportunity to listen to Coach Justin Seresse (Laurier Head Coach - USports) who spoke about the value of hard work and dedication on the way to the next level," said Qahwash.
"It was also amazing to have Javon Masters -- an All-Canadian and the all-time leading scorer in Canadian University history -- speak to our guys, especially being here from the region. Our players are fortunate to have an opportunity to get this kind of information from guest speakers and coaches that we have at camp," Qahwash added.
The campers were able to digest some of those comments over lunch, and parlay the lessons learned during their afternoon games. Here's how those went down:
Team Wiggins (Red) vs. Team Harden (Grey)
This one started as a back-and-forth affair, before Team Wiggins was able to go on a bit of a run in the first half. The catalyst? Although he wasn't on the scoresheet, Aidan Vachon was one of the campers who took the lessons about "doing the little things" to heart, taking a charge and setting the tone for his squad -- who were able to convert on several opportunities on the other end.
A three-pointer by Tariq Hamad (NPC) pushed the lead to double-digits for Team Wiggins, and they maintained that into the halftime break.
Team Wiggins maintained their offensive spark to start the second half, keyed early on by Aman Saleh, WCSSAA's leading scorer from this past junior season. He hit a well-contested three-pointer which put Wiggins up by a 38-21 count.
Cue the Trent Johnson show.
The grade 10 St. Benedict product, who played up for the Saints' senior squad this past season, started heating up from beyond the arc, putting home a trio of three-pointers in a row, and 11 points during one three minute stretch:
Trent Johnson (Team Harden) doing his part to help try to bring his team back; he's had their last 5 including this nice 3 from the corner... pic.twitter.com/z2uFBWiJZH— CWOSSA Basketball (@CWOSSABball) May 26, 2018
In fact, Johnson's burst was able to get Team Harden to within 4 points with about 5 minutes to go.
Unfortunately for them, that's as close as they would get. Saleh put home a two, before WCI's Tomisin Banjoko added another bucket, pushing the lead back up to 8 points.
Rez's Bradley Stephen then came up with a nice steal, following that up with a smart lookahead pass to Saleh, who converted for a double-digit lead that essentially iced it.
Team Wiggins finished on a 10-0 run to win going away, 57-43.
Team Lillard (Blue) vs. Team Murray (Black)
Similar to the first contest of the afternoon, this one was also a back-and-forth affair to start.
Brock Newton, a 6'5" Centre Wellington product, got things started for Team Murray by converting a layup on a contested alley-oop. Ozay Davis (St. Mary's) followed that up by burying a contested shot of his own -- this one from beyond the arc:
Ozay Davis (SMHS) with the contested catch-and-shoot from the corner -- Lillard up 8-6. @Top40Camp pic.twitter.com/dPVbesHYjk— CWOSSA Basketball (@CWOSSABball) May 26, 2018
On the other end, 6'7" Stefan Djukic (Huron Heights) displayed his soft mid-range touch for a big-man, stepping out and knocking home a jumper:
6'7" Stefan Djukic (HHSS) showcasing his nice midrange touch for Team Lillard, as they cut the deficit to 1. @Top40Camp pic.twitter.com/LfO7h9wFwJ— CWOSSA Basketball (@CWOSSABball) May 26, 2018
Late in the half, Team Lillard went on a run, spearheaded by 5'9" sparkplug PG Kevin Martinez (OLOL), and grade 9 Brantford CI guard Richard Spencer-Raymond, who cashed a couple of three-pointers. Their efforts propelled Lillard to a 31-22 halftime lead.
Team Murray, however, was able to flip the script to start the second half. They rained several threes during the early minutes of the second frame, going on a 15-5 run to take a 1-point lead.
Team Lillard, to their credit, maintained their composure, and were able to respond. Here's Marcus Barnes (CHCI) knocking home a three-pointer that re-established a 4-point lead:
Cameron's Marcus Barnes getting in the act from deep; his three pointer has Team Lillard back on top -- it's now 42-38. #TriCityJr40 pic.twitter.com/eVJV9zJki1— CWOSSA Basketball (@CWOSSABball) May 26, 2018
After that, Lillard was able to make a push to get things up to double-digits. In a game of "punch, counter-punch", Murray made one last push -- Guelph Centennial's Jackson Wallace had 5 straight points to cut it to 7 (66-59) with just over a minute to go, before Djukic had a lay-up for Lillard that made it 68-59, which ended up being the final margin.
Mark's Top 5 - Day 2
This was tough, so I'm going to throw in a couple of "honourable mentions" who should be recognized for their efforts as well. In no particular order, my top performers were:
Brock Newton (6'5" G/F, Grade 10 - CWDHS / Team Murray): A tremendous talent, and certainly in his comfort zone after having played up for the CWDHS Senior team this past season. Tenacious, willing to get in and "grind" (had a great rip-away steal on the offensive end which he put in for two) -- has excellent size which he used to his advantage on numerous occasions during the game on Saturday. Certainly in the mix for all-star and MVP discussions.
Trent Johnson (6'4" G/F, Grade 10 - St. Benedict / Team Harden): Almost single-handedly led his team back from a 17-point deficit. Extremely comfortable on the catch-and-shoot, where he knocked home three consecutive three-pointers in the second half. Also attacked the basket, and, like Newton, used his size on the offensive glass well.
Aman Saleh (6'0" G, Grade 10 - Grand River / Team Wiggins): The "microwave", he can heat up in a hurry and score from just about anywhere. Not afraid to take it hard inside, but can also hit the outside jumper. Had clutch baskets down the stretch in helping Team Wiggins take the victory.
Marcus Barnes (6'1" G, Grade 9 - Cameron Heights / Team Lillard): Hard to believe he's only grade 9. Just a tremendous skill-set overall, doing just about everything on both ends for Team Lillard. Also have to admire his confidence and "compete level" -- not every kid in the gym would ask to go 1-on-1 against Javon Masters, which Barnes did:
Richard Spencer-Raymond (6'1" G, Grade 9- Brantford CI / Team Lillard): Really liked his game. Had the three-point stroke cooking in the first half, but also showcased a versatile all-around offensive (and defensive - coming up with some steals) game by the time the game was through. Did suffer a late ankle injury, which he tried to play through, but was unable to continue. Hopefully he can be at full-strength for tomorrow's action, as he's certainly in the conversation for all-star consideration.
HM: Aidan Vachon (5'10" G, Grade 10 - Brantford CI / Team Wiggins): With mention made on numerous occasions by guest speakers, coaches, and the like about "grinding" and "doing the little things", it's only right that I recognize that on my list. Vachon took a key charge in the first half of his game (almost getting a second one that ended up being a "no-call") and took care of the little things positionally as well. Even though he wasn't doing the scoring, he enabled his team to make a big run in the first half.
HM: Milos Nenadic (6'5" F, Grade 9 - Cameron Heights / Team Harden): Heady, solid player who has range out to the three-point line, which he demonstrated on a couple of occasions for Team Harden. Has nice length which he was able to use to his advantage on the defensive side a couple of times. Overall, really intriguing prospect who played well on Saturday.
Eyes Opened on Day 1 at the Junior Boys' Tri-City Top 40 Camp
The first day of the Junior Boys' Tri-City Top 40 Camp in conjunction with Adidas Brands is in the books, and it was certainly an eye-opening experience for those in attendance.
Of course, the on-court action taking place at the University of Waterloo is going to be the highlight of the weekend, but, as we head toward final exam season for high schoolers, the campers received some important words from UW head coach Justin Gunter about the importance of academics:
Needless to say, those are some words that should certainly resonate with campers.
As the camp moves into day two, campers will have the opportunity to participate in some drills and session work, and will showcase those skills in afternoon games. Most often at this camp, we see players get adjusted to the elite camp setting and come into their comfort zone on day two; I'll be in attendance to provide a breakdown of the action -- looking forward to it!
Of course, the on-court action taking place at the University of Waterloo is going to be the highlight of the weekend, but, as we head toward final exam season for high schoolers, the campers received some important words from UW head coach Justin Gunter about the importance of academics:
Camp Director Imad Qahwash, a Kitchener product who earned an NCAA D1 scholarship and went on to play professionally, noted that while most players strive to play college (and professionally) in the United States, there are tremendous opportunities on this side of the border that shouldn't be overlooked:NEW VIDEO - @WlooWarriors head basketball coach @JGunner22 speaks to young players @Top40Camp at the University of Waterloo. Check out Gunter's speech on @519sportsonline YouTube channel & please subscribe #LocalSports @CWOSSABball @rolywebster @iqahwash20 https://t.co/k5ALGqZY58— Darren Stevenson (@DarrenStevenson) May 26, 2018
.@iqahwash20 getting things rolling here @Top40Camp at the University of Waterloo. Grade 9 and 10 players from the region on the floor this weekend showcasing their skills. #LocalSports #Basketball @CWOSSABball pic.twitter.com/qJcWaKYFAM— #LocalSports (@519sportsonline) May 25, 2018
Needless to say, those are some words that should certainly resonate with campers.
As the camp moves into day two, campers will have the opportunity to participate in some drills and session work, and will showcase those skills in afternoon games. Most often at this camp, we see players get adjusted to the elite camp setting and come into their comfort zone on day two; I'll be in attendance to provide a breakdown of the action -- looking forward to it!
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