Too Many Playoffs At One Time

One of the busiest weekends in the sports world, the Vanier Cup, the Grey Cup, the Leafs and Raptors playing too, and we also have Ontario high school championships — not one, but eight.

Why organizers continue to schedule multiple playoffs for the same time baffles not just me, but apparently many of our readers too.

Going through my long list of emails on many topics, and even a few letters — people still write them — there are dejected folks or people with opinions. Some claim they have asked, not sure who, and don't get straight answers. Welcome to the real world. Frustrated, they give up and just don't go to school playoffs. Unfortunate, I think, for many.

Some might have an interest in watching a family member, a former school, friends or may just want to see something other than the pro stuff. Well, the provincial sports organization running the show of school sports hasn't made things easy.

Eight Ontario high school playoffs are taking place now, with all eight finals tomorrow — and spread out across the province. No one has been able to give me a good reason, excuses don't count, on why there can't be some flexibility, even a couple of days. I know exams don't start next week and, if there is concern on overlapping with Winter sports, well it's already happening.

There's some honesty in March, when playoffs, which used to be the night before the Spring break, got moved up a bit earlier. The reason: well, many coaches who are teachers, need to get a quick start to vacations during the March Break.

But now. Girls' basketball playoffs with quad-A in Hamilton, triple-A in London, double-A in Belleville, single-A in Cornwall. There's more. Boys' volleyball playofffs with quad-A in London, triple-A in Stratford, double-A in Sarnia and single-A in Bowmanville. Well, the folks in the London area lucked out.

If only to help promote school sports, something OFSAA should always be looking to improve on, then a good start is to either be flexible on dates or return to the format of one provincial final. Saves time and tax dollars too.

Since OFSAA strongly believes the recent all-day football event was a success, maybe it should be thinking about a similar initiative for other sports? Toronto, for example, certainly has enough locations — and stacking all the finals in one city is an idea.

They did it with football at the Rogers Centre, why not make friends with the Raptors, Basketball Canada and corporate sponsors and do it for that sport at the Air Canada Centre? Turn this in to a major event — and in one city.

Creative thinking, and maybe with a bit of common sense too.

Far Too Much Football On One Day

It's the morning after. Have to tell you that I got whacked with a pillow in the middle of the night by my wife — and, I would wager, because I was talking in my sleep about football and football and football.

Yes, watching five high school championship football games in one day can do that and even send a person crawling up a wall. Not my idea, that's the way the provincial sports organization planned it.

I still don't get it. Judging from people who stopped me at the Rogers Centre on Wednesday, or the many more who called me to wonder what the reasoning was, the location and times for certain games, it would seem that I am not alone.

The National Capital Bowl (Ottawa vs. Peterborough), the Western Bowl (London vs. Sarnia), the Northern Bowl (Thunder Bay vs. Sault Ste. Marie)  and even the Golden Horseshoe Bowl (Burlington vs. Port Colborne) — all played in Toronto? The Metro Bowl, well, I can see that for sure.

Attendance was very disappointing in each game, including the spectacle of the local gridiron season, which turned out to be a yawner. The Metro Bowl almost had as many penalties as points. If it wasn't for the touchdown in the closing minute of the game, with Markham in control 12-0, it would have been the second lowest scoring game in the 28-year history of the Metro Bowl.

Organizers will say that I don't understand and it was a thrilling defensive game. Yeah, right, with two explosive offensive teams. Maybe, the players were nervous by the raucous crowd, whose noise vibrated around an empty cavernous facility. I am surprised there was an admission charge when, just maybe, more people would have shown up if it was free.

Two of the games were blowouts, lots of scoring, and another almost put the handful of scribes (and lots of non-reporters cashing in on an opportunity to watch from the press box) to sleep. I have to feel sorry for the players who commuted from Thunder Bay and could only score seven points in their game. Well, it was an experience and there is no snow in T-O.

Maybe these games would have benefited from larger crowds if played closer to home, an idea that OFSAA did toss around, but sacked because they got the Rogers facility for free — a donation by the Buffalo Bills folks who are doing what they can to market the NFL game next week. Last I heard, lots of empty seats. Maybe some of the people last night got freebies.

Other than watching players try do their best in championship games, I did see a few odd things: Birchmount Park got a rare equipment penalty, the same team did a quadruple reverse trying to score — and fell short of the objective. 

And spectators backing Burlington's Notre Dame, a team that capped a perfect season winning the Golden Horseshoe Bowl, had one of their own male fans stir the crowd — and send organizers flipping — when he dramatically removed his attire to reveal a skimpy piece of cloth called a bathing suit.

Oh yes, the food in the press box was much better than previous years. Lots of coffee to keep us awake. But pizza for five games? Enough.

Race Begins To Be No. 1 in Boys' Basketball

There are some people who think that with one day left until the local high school football season ends, the attention will then switch from the gridiron to the basketball court.

Let's just say, the transition will be smoother. The reality: basketball, the boys' game, has been going for weeks. Maybe not officially with leagues, but the guys have been practicing since the day school opened and tournaments have occurred earlier than ever.

Have to wonder about gender equity in this sport. The girls' season of tournaments, league and playoffs is barely three months in the Fall. The boys', well, some claim twice as long.

No sooner does the ball bounce, than the opinions start rolling about which guys team is the best in this part of Ontario. Also, what schools have benefited the most from the transfer game - players deciding they suddenly had enough of one school and wanted to be at another because the reputation was better, and I mean for basketball. Recruiting, we won't touch that right now.

I remember the days when students went to the school closest to where they live. No more. Now, players from one part of the big city, and even surrounding regions, are choosing schools clearly across town - and somehow the athletes are getting to play rather than sit out a year.

I am no judge on this, but if it's happening, the people who are supposedly monitoring violations need to seriously think twice about enforcing the transfer rule or throwing it away. Treat everyone equally.

The chatter is also heating up about who will win the Ontario gold medal next March when OFSAA waters down the competition, and excitement, to four playoffs: Quad-A in Oshawa, Triple-A in Kingston, Double-A in Windsor and Single-A in Sturgeon Falls.

I guess there is some merit in smaller schools having their own playoff, but I wonder how teams with losing records get to an Ontario final simply because of the population of the school? What was wrong with one Ontario champion or, an idea tossed around for years, where an invitational event is held for the best teams?

Back to the best teams. Websites and discussion boards are flowing with opinions on who is the team to beat this season.

Let's see, Toronto's Father Henry Carr won its own tournament beating Pickering by 11 points. MVP of the tournament was Carr's Raheem Isaac. How about Loyola, led by another MVP in Rohan Boney? All the Oakville school did was knock off traditionally strong Eastern Commerce in the final of the Pinky Lewis tourney in Hamilton.

This has all been going on during the football season.

There's more. For years the Humber College Classic was just that, but not so sure this year. Brampton's St. Edmund Campion walked off as champs beating Martingrove 69-57 in the final. Matthew Wright of Martingrove could be one of the top players this year, but people are also talking about Campion's Jordan Clennon.

Oakwood will be up there. Mother Teresa too. Maybe Vaughan and on and on. Lots of questions and lots of hoops and one way to see who might end up on top is to check out the tournaments. Last count, some 50 are planned - and that's just in the Greater Toronto Area.

Could This Be The Week for GTA School Medals?

For schools in the Greater Toronto Area, this could be a very interesting week in sports.

First, with 10 major championships jammed in one week, the law of averages could favour a GTA school winning a gold medal or a provincial championship - or both.

How is this for a prediction: the Metro Bowl will stay in the GTA. I know, too easy. Toronto's Birchmount Park (12-0) and Markham District (9-1) - and both looking for their first championship in the 28-year history of this event. Someone has to win - and both teams look equal. One of those situations when a team gets hot, and it will be very warm indoors at the Rogers Centre on Wednesday when this final game of five on the day is played.

I like the game-breakers. For Birchmount Park, it could be speedy receiver Aaron Brown. For Markham District, looks as if everything could rest on talented quarterback Tyler Pritty. He was at tghe Dome last year, but sharing the quarterback duties and playing for St. Michael's - who won. But both defences haven't received the recognition deserving of them this year - and are strong too.

As for the Golden Horseshoe Bowl, this could be the most exciting of the gridiron games. A repeat of last year that was a one-point nail-biter. Lakeshore Catholic won 8-7 over Notre Dame of Burlington. Can Notre Dame, the Star's No. 1 team all year, get even?

Then, to volleyball, likely the easiest shot at an Ontario title and a gold medal in the Quad-A category taking place in London. Birchmount Park, again? They won it last year - with only one loss all year. Fast forward, the No. 1-ranked team - and undefeated. Got to think the chances are good, eh? But, no gambling on school sports.

Now, the toughest to gauge. How about girls' basketball? Not so sure that any of the GTA teams will come out with the big prize - the gold medal. By the way, it's a cheap fake gold imported from somewhere and not the real stuff. This not the Olympics. Matter of fact, if there is a hope of a medal, it could be from Notre Dame of Burlington, Notre Dame of Ajax, St. Marguerite d'Youville of Brampton or Thomson from Toronto. I said, a medal. Don't think it will be gold.

Here's an idea. We're approaching the Holiday Season and the Jim Proudfoot Corner - part of the Star Santa Claus Fund - is a great way to help needy children. Make a donation and put a smile on the face of a kid.

Grossman's High School Stars of the Week

It's time. My weekly search through the high school sports world in the Greater Toronto Area to seek out 10 performances by athletes that deserve a pat on the back. Well, they all do, but these 10 just a bit more. Didn't realize how popular this is until I started hearing from people with names, facts and scores. Keep it coming.

Fidel Benjamin, George Harvey. Chosen MVP of the Rising Star senior boys' basketball tournament in Toronto. He's a 6-foot-5 forward and had 23 points in a 71-53 championship game win over Thornhill. I like his 39 points in a 90-50 whipping of Victoria Park in a preliminary game.

Aaron Brown, Birchmount Park. Some claim this world class track star is taking a big chance playing football. Try to catch him. Two touchdowns, the winner too, on a 31-yard run in a 16-10 game over Trinity. I still like his run from 19 yards deep in the end zone, then across 25 yards and the length of the field for a TD.

Drake Caggiula, St. Mary. He's a fairly good lacrosse player. This time, it was with the longer hockey stick and skates, scoring the winning goal in a 3-2 victory over Brother Andre in the final of the Spartan Invitational. He also had two goals in a 9-0 drubbing of Eastdale in a Durham Region league game.

Kate Easton, Northern. Give this kid a basketball, and room to shoot from the three-point line, and you're asking for big trouble. That's if you're on the other team. She had six second half three-point buckets in the Toronto Quad-A final, an 11-point loss to Thomson. Going to the Ontario playoffs.

Melanie Enright, St. Thomas Aquinas. A shooting guard in her graduating year, she's been the bread-and-butter player for this senior girls' basketball team in Oakville. Fired a game-high 28 points, all needed too, in a 68-62 squeaker over Ascension to qualify for the Ontario Double-A playoffs in Belleville.

Sergey Grabovsky, Aurora. At 6-foot-3, he is quite the volleyball player on a York Region junior team that had an 11-2 season record, but lost 3-2 to Williams in the Tier One final.

Keith Lagace, Notre Dame. Solid for the Star's No. 1 team all season. Team is off to Wednesday's Golden Horseshoe Bowl against Lakeshore Catholic from Port Colborne at the Rogers Centre. Two more touchdowns for this 1,000-yard running back in a 36-14 whipping of MacNab from Hamilton in a semifinal.

Symone Murray, St. Marguerite d'Youville. She's been a starter on the senior girls' basketball team since grade 9, a Toronto Star Peel Region all-star and a former athlete of the week. Tack on a game-high 15 points in the Tier One senior final - a 51-33 victory over Cardinal Leger. Off to the provincials.

Joseph Ojelade, Central Peel. Basketball time for the guys and this rookie senior hasn't wasted much time putting up some big numbers. Try 43 points in a game - and his team still lost. Cardinal Leger beat Ojelade and Co., 80-78, in a Brampton-area school tournament. Can hardly wait for his next game.

Steve Trivieri, Lawrence Park. He piled up points for Lawrence Park - as a running back. Try three touchdowns in a 36-0 victory over Senator O'Connor for the Toronto District Secondary Schools Athletic Association junior football championship. Lawrence finished the year unbeaten in nine games. 

Birchmount Park - School of the Year in Sports?

I am not sure if it is time to check the H2O at Birchmount Park Collegiate or just flatly admit that this east end Toronto school simply is just so much better than others in sports.

All right, I have to admit that I had some thoughts about the school's exceptional or elite, call it what you want, athlete program being a magnet to attracting talented kids. But, there are others — not in the program — also pulling their weight in sports. And, there are a few more schools with special programs in sport — and I don't see them excelling like Birchmount Park.

It's interesting that the football team, after a thrilling semifinal win over Trinity are now just one win away from a Metro Bowl (and that's on Nov. 25 at the Rogers Centre against Markham District). The Panthers have never won the big game before — but this could be the year. They're also not superstitious at that school: a win would cap the year at 13-0.

With all the hullabaloo in football, there should be just as much for the boys' senior volleyball team. They won the Ontario championship last year, also kicked some butt dominating the Toronto season and then the title on Wednesday. Garrett May and his buddies are unbeaten in some 60 games — and favoured to win gold at the provincial level next week in London.

While the football team preps for the trip to the Rogers Centre, the baseball team has already been there. Yup, six months ago, the Panthers won the Prentice Cup at the home of the Blue Jays. And Birchmount Park has also won titles in girls' soccer, cross country, ice hockey, track and field — and I may have missed a few.

I know there have been some potholes in the road to success, like the sad situation involving the hockey team at an Ontario playoff, but that's the past — and sure hope some people also let this thing go rather than hold grudges against reporters who just did their job — and well, too.

Whether it's Aaron Brown's sparkling touchdown, from 19 yards deep in his end zone and dashing down the field on Wednesday, or Toronto Star allstar infielder Bryan Piper's success at the plate and in the field at the '09 Prentice Cup or swimmer Paolo Olavario's gold medals in the pool earlier this year, something is going right.

Yes, ladies, I haven't forgotten. Multi-sport star Kodee Williams is counting the days until she moves on to a scholarship in the fall and soccer player Lacey Warner has taken her memories to the University of Wisconsin — just one of many post-secondary schools with Birchmount Park athletes.

I should mention that the school does have a great sports stadium next door and Variety Village, where teams have trained and played while the gym was under renovation this year, is a block away. Yes, kudos to the coaches too. But it is much easier having a slew of exceptional or elite athletes in the building.

Maybe I should end the promo now. Congrats to the athletes and coaches. Maybe it's time the administration gives them all attention too.

Pigskin Crunch Time

After several months of practices and games, bashing helmets and hoping for the best, it's crunch time for eight high school senior football teams in the Golden Horseshoe Region and Greater Toronto Area.

Two more wins for two teams and they have their season objective: a championship.

I know, because I have been getting lots of inquires from people, the folks responsible for promoting these playoffs have done a less than average job getting the word out. In fact, nothing even on the website of the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations, which still is congratulating the field hockey champs from two weeks ago.

The Metro Bowl and the Golden Horseshoe Bowl are up for grabs and one thing is for certain, the Metro Bowl champ will be a first timer since none of the teams in contention have won the big event since it started back in 1982.

But, who will those two be when it's all over on Nov. 25?

Yes, game day when the huge Rogers Centre is opened for what has always been a small number of people to watch. You guessed it, I'm not in favour of this being indoors. Would have been so much more fun to have these games outdoors - and with so many facilities as great choices such as Birchmount Stadium, Etobicoke Centennial Stadium, Esther Shiner Stadium and Varsity Centre.

In the Metro Bowl semifinals, Markham will play Donald Wilson of Whitby - the same school that got hammered by St Michael's in the finale last year. That's the first of a doubleheader set for Wednesday, Nov. 18 around 11:00am on the carpet at Etobicoke Centennial Stadium. Then, it's Trinity of Port Hope meeting Toronto's Birchmount Park - the only team that is undefeated.

On Thursday, Nov. 19 at Ivor Wynne Stadium in Hamilton, Notre Dame of Burlington takes on Sir Allan MacNab of Hamilton while Lakeshore Catholic of Port Colborne goes up against St. Marcellinus of Mississauga.

My picks. Need to think about this a bit more. I'll tell you on Nov. 26.

My Ten Standouts Of The Week

My apologies for the short delay. It has been a very busy week of school playoffs and, well, pulling together all the information to try come up with 10 very good performances has been a bit of a struggle.

Nice variety of sports too. Let's see, boys' basketball, girls' basketball, volleyball, cross country, hockey and football. Yes, heavy again on the gridiron but well deserved.

Glad this is as popular as it seems from so many e-mails, voice mail messages and people stopping me at various events. Remember, here are 10 from what I know - and sure wish more coaches would be plugging their athletes. In alphabetical order, we have:

Rohan Boney, Loyola. This Oakville basketball star has created lots of attention early and chosen MVP of the Pinky Lewis tournament. Top scorer in the final with 17 points in a 67-64 win over Eastern Commerce.

Brandon Bridge, St. Marcellinus. Former Team Canada quarterback had three touchdown passes and 300 yards in the air in a 25-15 Peel Region senior football title win over St. Joan of Arc. Lots of U.S. scouts watching.

Matt Coates, Markham. Caught seven passes (three for TDs) for 127 yards, solid game at safety, two kick-off returns for 95 yards and player of the game in a 22-15 senior win over Huron Hts in the York football final.

Justin Danforth, Maxwell Hts. Can`t avoid history at new Oshawa school. He scored the first hockey goal at 2:14 of the third period in a 4-1 loss. School bringing in new Hockey Canada PE course. Could attract players.

Eamonn Kichuk, Bill Crothers. Almost forgot. Yes, he is in Grade 10 and now has back-to-back Ontario cross country gold medals. Midget two years ago, junior this year. Future Canadian Olympic distance runner.

Blake McClelland, Etobicoke. Grade 9 gifted volleyball player helped lead the Rams to a 16-4 record this year. Had 70 kills, converted 90% of his serves and was the cornerstone of the junior team. Club player too. 

Aaron Milton, Sinclair. Gets my vote as MVP in his league. Can kick for points and score touchdowns. Had 30 points in a senior football playoff and 10 points in a 16-13 win over O'Neill for the Durham Tier Two title.

Fabian Nardone, King City. Scored five touchdowns, one off a 100-yard kickoff, and piled up 400 all-purpose yards as the Lions chewed up Brother Andre 44-7 for their third straight York Region football junior title.

Camilla Paluch, Christ the King. She had 15 points in the Halton Tier Two basketball final, a 49-27 win over Iroquois Ridge, capping an undefeated junior season. She also had 24 points in a quarterfinal and 11 in the semi.

Maddie Stephen, Lawrence Park. Scored 40 points (same as the entire opposition) in a 59-40 Toronto basketball playoff win over West Humber. A 5-foot-11 forward, Star all-star last year and MVP in grades 9 and 10.

Spectators Need To Think

Again.

I`ve been seeing it far too many times and, in many cases, it`s not too pretty. Spectators watching a high school game just don't think about the odds of getting hurt and it happens.

Parents, friends, school buddies and just your simple spectator show up for high school games wanting to see the action, maybe catch a glimpse of a relative or what they think might be a future pro athlete, and leave telling stories about how someone got injured or how they came so close to leaving in an ambulance.

We're talking outdoor sports. Not all schools have bleachers. While many take the time to rope off areas for safety and/or security reasons, you know what happens.

Take football, nice weather and rather than stand back from the playing field, there is a tendency to be that close. Maybe to see better. Maybe to holler at officials. Maybe there are other reasons. But it also increases the chances of accidents. As few as they are, they happen — and they can be avoided.

Let's see, there have been broken arms, people hitting their heads on the ground and the list goes on. We won't include torn clothes or spilled soft drinks.

At a game I was at last week, an older gentleman came out to see his grandson play. He was closer to the field than me. Yup, he decided to sit in one of those folded lawn chairs and, well, a second quarter play had a receiver grab a sideline pass and — crunch. The two collided. Grandpa was shaken up with a bloodied nose. He was fine and watched the rest of the game — this time, further back from the sidelines.

At a playoff game in Pickering, at St. Mary High, I am told that a mother was watching a football game. She had a baby carriage too. You know where I am going on this: another sideline play and the carriage got hit, baby went flying and mother made the catch.

Even cross country races, several times this year spectators inching closer to see who is in the lead, bump competitors who then trip and it's a mess. At a soccer game last week, a spectator was walking close to the field — with a coffee (maybe it was tea or hot chocolate) and he got bumped — by a sideline official.

I know, it's fun to be right where the action is and to congregate with others to talk. If you choose to do so, better be observant — and quick. Remember, I warned you. 

Deer Assault - On A Distance Runner

Have to admit, when I first received the tip saying that a high school distance runner was hit - and by a deer - during a provincial championship race, well, I started to scratch whatever hair I have left on my head.

I have heard some bizarre stories in high school sports, but this one seemed to have the potential to be right up at the top with others. I was also wondering if someone was trying to set me up. You know, prank stuff. I thought, how could a runner at an Ontario final - in mid day and with hundreds of athletes and spectators and noise - become the victim of a deer assault?

So, I checked and checked. People either didn't want to talk or shrugged their shoulders. Some coaches and teachers only like "good news" and will only find time for a chat when it pertains to a victory or something they see as promising. Well, your dedicated scribe used his investigative skills to get the facts and, eventually to the young girl - a 14-year old grade 9 student from London, Ont.

Here she is, first year of high school, finished fourth in the Western Ontario qualifier and expecting to do well, maybe win a medal at these Ontario run-offs. Instead, she lands up in hospital with a broken collarbone and now has a sling, likely some pain too. We had a nice discussion. Also spoke with her mother, very concerned when the emergency staff called to say that her daughter was, ah, hit by a deer - in a race. Not the kind of call parents like to get.

Cutting around the corner, midway through a 3,000-metre race and having just climbed an exhausting hill, Emma Ashby had a close encounter with - the deer. It saw her running, must have been spooked, ran at and hit her on the side knocking the runner 10 feet. Emma landed on her shoulder.

I started thinking about my car trip to North Bay last March to the Ontario hockey finals and, well, driving on a highway and seeing these animals dart across the road. Contact can be serious stuff.

The good news is Emma is recovering. She has some stories to tell, and likely for a long time to come. She was actually quite concerned about the deer which, apparently looking at the fallen athlete, then left the scene - also without a medal.

On a side note, we're approaching the Holiday Season and the Jim Proudfoot Corner - part of the Star Santa Claus Fund - is a great way to help needy children.