Top school performances of the week

Exams are finally over for this term.

Time to get back to the ice rink, the gym, the pool and even the slopes. 

It has been a quiet week for school sports.

So, picking my 10 best performances may have been a touch easier than most weeks. 

Here we go - and they're in alphabetical order. 

 

Emmanuel Athanasakis, North Toronto. Nice game - and 25 points. It all helped in a 58-43 senior basketball win over Ursula Franklin and a fifth win in seven games in the Toronto District School Board Tier Two South loop.
Mark Belvedere, St. Andrew's. Two goals in a 4-4 hockey tie with Nichols. Then, two more in a 6-5 win over Ridley - all part of the Conference of Independent Schools Athletic Association league action.

Chase Campbell, St. Michael's. He's been the sparkplug for the private school senior boys' basketball team this year and proved it again with a 32-point show in a 68-61 win over neighbourhood rival Upper Canada. A day later, he scored 24 more in a 70-61 win over Ridley.  

Larry Chua, Brebeuf. Top scorer in the game with 30 points in a 62-51 win over Maple at the Richmond Hill senior boys' basketball tournament. Then, in the final, he popped 28 points in a 65-57 championship victory over Richmond Hill High.

Alex Doyle, St. Michael's. Four goals for him, more than the opposing team, in an 8-3 win over Country Day in a junior boys' Conference of Independent Schools Athletic Association hockey game

Tara Firchuk, St. Clement's. Good on 24 of 26 serves in a 3-2 senior girls' volleyball win over Greenwood, and the first victory of the year. Moving from middle hitter with her club team, to setter with the school team, she was also the top server and good on 16 of 18 in a loss to Ridley.

Gowsigan Mahenthrian, Central Tech. His junior basketball team lost both games at the Royal St. George's Invitational. But, he led his team in scoring with 15 points in a 56-36 loss to Harbord. He also had 12 points 67-45 loss to Royal St. George's.
Jeff Pindar, Wexford. Impressive 33-point game by this youngster as the junior boys' basketball team won its seventh game in eight starts in the Toronto District School Board East Division.Wexford defeated winless L'Amoreaux 72-42.

Matt Spanger, Malvern. Three-goal game in a 10-1 rout of Oakwood to tie Leaside for first place in the Toronto District School Board South Division hockey standings.

Taylor Sykes, Nelson. Three big goals. He scored one goal in a 3-1 win over Lakeshore Catholic of Port Colborne. Added another one in a 3-3 tie with Mother Teresa of London and had his third in a 4-2 win over Regiopolis/Notre Dame of Kingston at the annual Bur Bear hockey tournament. 

 

What makes up the best high school sports program?

I've heard many people make reference to certain high schools as having "the best sports program" in the Greater Toronto Area.

I've listened to the conversations, but I am not so sure what they mean or how they come to that conclusion.

I am curious about what you might figure constitutes a good school sports program.

Is it one that's based on coaching or how many games a team wins? Does a good sports program mean state-of-the art facilities or how about simply looking at it from the perspective of helping teenage athletes develop?

Comments are welcome.

UCC Opens $17-Million Hockey Complex

Gosh, it must be nice to have graduates of your school in important places.

Bill Wilder is one of Canada's best known and most highly respected business leaders. A philanthropist, he’s also an Old Boy - the term that's used at Upper Canada College, the famous all-boys' private school in Toronto.

On Feb. 6, UCC will officially open the sparkling William P. Wilder Arena and Sports Complex – a lavish double-pad ice facility located on the mid-town campus. I'm sure it'll be done with lots of glitz - and rightly so.

Price tag was just over $17 million and the financial gift by Wilder is also the largest donation from a UCC grad in the history of the school.

UCC says the complex will provide much needed ice time for students and help with many community events. Likely, it will also benefit the UCC hockey teams that compete in the Conference of Independent Schools Athletic Association.

Rich in tradition, UCC has also done well against other schools. The Blues won five Ontario high school titles since 1992, the last in 2001. This year, UCC is back to challenge for another provincial high school gold medal.

Starting January 30, the UCC team – currently ranked No. 3 in the Star’s weekly high school coaches hockey poll - plays five games in eight days.

The new facility has one NHL-size and one Olympic-size rink, making it home to one of only four Olympic-sized ice surfaces in Ontario. The complex also has locker rooms, an alumni lounge, increased spectator viewing and a spacious lobby.

While there are a number of UCC grads who played in the NHL, most notable is Brian Conacher. He suited up for the 1967 Stanley Cup champion Toronto Maple Leafs and was also on Canada’s 1964 Olympic team.

Other NHL players include Andre Faust (Philadelphia), Colin Greening (Ottawa), Mike McKee (Quebec) and Greg Meredith (Calgary).

Just one more thing, if you’re like many Canadians, you probably think the longest hockey rivalry involves the NHL's Leafs and Habs. Apparently not so, as players from Upper Canada and Ridley, a school in St. Catharines, met on March 14, 1896 at the old Granite Rink in Toronto. The same two teams will meet in a league game on Feb. 6.

High School Version of March Madness - Can It Happen?

I had an interesting conversation today with some high school basketball coaches, who wondered what it would be like to have a provincial basketball championship in Ontario - much like the way the colleges and universities have March Madness in the United States.

Of course, I asked - what about the annual Ontario Federation of Schools Athletic Association playoffs, which are watered down to four playoffs? This year, in Windsor, Ottawa, Timmins and Cornwall - depending on the population size of the school.

Surprisingly, the five guys all said the OFSAA playoffs need to be revamped. Too many good teams opting to play in the Triple-A, thinking medals, when they should play Quad-A. And, despite many small and mediocre teams at Double-A and Single-A, on any given day there could be an upset. Fair comment.

These guys think it could also generate quite a bit of excitement - maybe even be hosted by the Raptors as a way of waving a flag in support of amateur basketball.

The March Madness high school version is not new to Ontario. In fact, OFSAA once tried something like it many years ago for girls' basketball. It went over well for many. Some complained that it was too much of a hassle, too much travel, too much money wasted to play one game, lose and then go home. So, that idea was dumped.

Kind of would be nice to have one Ontario championship, rather than four.

It Just Never Goes Away

Seems like there could be some red-faced folks on the executive of the Lake Ontario Secondary School Association, the folks who govern school sports in the Durham Region and east of Toronto.

In case you missed in the Toronto Star story on Tuesday, or also reference on this blog, Pickering senior boys' basketball coach Mike Gordensky was punished for using two ineligible players at a tournament last month in South Carolina. He has been suspended, by LOSSA, from coaching the defending Ontario championship team for the last four league games and, assuming they make it, the playoffs.

The folks at the Ontario Federation of Schools Athletic Association, who spoke with Gordensky by phone on Tuesday, told him their response would come in a letter - in a few weeks. Not sure what that could be, maybe a ban on coaching at the provincial playoffs?

Gosh, it seems like quite a bit of action against a voluntary coach who, admitting to a mistake for the first time in 16 years, is now being dragged through the mud.

But back to LOSSA, which talks a good talk about its league constitution. Yet, one of the members of the review panel involved in the Gordensky ruling is also a basketball coach. Some teachers and coaches in the Durham Region called me today to say they believe that's a conflict of interest.

And just one more thing about following rules. LOSSA had to contend with the head coach of the Clarington Central senior boys' volleyball team, who used an ineligible player in a game in the fall. I'm told the move was made to avoid a forfeit since his team was short players.

He was not suspended.

Fair ruling, or not, on a volunteer coach?

So, let me get this straight, a volunteer high school boys' basketball coach has been punished - suspended from coaching his team for the remainder of the season, as well as league and provincial playoffs.

Here's the scenario - and check out details from today's story in the Star.

Pickering High School - make that the Trojans senior basketball team - is on a pedestal because they have a good program and have the provincial trophy. The Trojans are 4-0 midway through league play and 38-7 overall. The school, front and centre for other good and controversial stories in the past, has to abide by some ridiculous rule from the Ontario Federation of Schools Athletic Association regarding sanctioned events south of the border.

Why should OFSAA care if a school competes in front of NCAA recruiting coaches at the Beach Ball Classic in South Carolina, which Pickering did?

Yes, Gordensky has a roster of approved players - in Ontario.

Yes, he did claim to have asked OFSAA in writing for clarification but also said he received no reply. Yes, he used two players not approved in Ontario to showcase them and for their own benefit - and, like a good teacher and coach, help these young players get attention. Maybe, even a possible scholarship so they can continue their education via basketball.

That, I believe, might be a major sin to some.

The team status is unaffected. Victories at this tournament do not count in league standings.

So, now Gordensky gets summoned to a special LOSSA meeting to explain what he did. No, he didn't break any federal laws. He didn't play them anonymously or in a league game. He admitted to making a mistake. Never been in conflict in his 16-year coaching career, he now gets reprimanded for not abiding by the league constitution.

He will appeal the ruling.

On Tuesday, it's more lecture time as OFSAA could hit him with additional sanctions in their conference call session with Gordensky - a volunteer.

The LOSSA panel made up of Teena McNee at O'Neill, as well as the Father Leo Austin tandem of Paul Creeden and Mike O'Brien - had a job to do, They made a decision and acted on their league constitution.

They claim the ruling was fair.

What do you think?

Does Accountability Go Beyond the Coach?

So, the coach of a high school girls' basketball team in Dallas has been fired after seeing nothing wrong with a 100-0 score?

Interesting.

I know I received a variety of comments from coaches in this province - and mixed opinions. Some said it's sport and a game. Others claim what happened, and the blowout, was atrocious. But they also pointed to leagues being at fault for not taking action in advance to prevent a score of this proportion from happening..

And some readers of the Star have indicated that they've never heard of a high school basketball team being shut out.

Flashback to October of last year when, in Richmond Hill, a York Region high school girls' game had St. Joan of Arc defeat Stephen Lewis 32-0. Yes, a shutout - and people I spoke with couldn't remember a team kept off the scoreboard in a Greater Toronto Area school league.

While the principal of Stephen Lewis took exception to our report of the story on the Star website, factual too, nothing was ever done in York Region. Can you imagine someone calling for the firing of a "voluntary" coach up here? Unheard of, maybe, but still teachers and athletic officials need to do a better job making sure school teams are in the proper Tier levels: best in Division A and others in a Division B or developmental league.

Sadly, many senior administrators - just happy that teachers are volunteering time - don't appear to give a hoot.

Just in case you missed it, Covenant - a Texas private Christian school - defeated Dallas Academy 100-0 last week. Halftime score was 59-0. The losing team, which has students with behavioural and learning disabilities, had eight of 20 girls in its school on the team. The team is also winless in its past four seasons. 

On its website last week, Covenant posted a statement regretting the outcome of its Jan. 13 shutout win over Dallas saying "It is shameful and an embarrassment that this happened. This clearly does not reflect a Christ-like and honourable approach to competition."

My Top Ten Picks

All right, I will admit right from the start that I have made some adjustments to the "best of the week" list.

In fact, it's the best of the week - plus a few more days.

Thought I should get that out in the open before the wave of comments start showing up from people accusing me of not realizing that seven days make up a week.

I have had to alter the selections this week because I have been off on Bereavement Leave and, well, there was no list last week. So, rather than completely ignore the efforts of student athletes, I pondered through the results and added some performances that should be noted. As always, I admit to maybe missing someone and that's only because I can only evaluate information if it is provided by schools and coaches.

So, here we go.

 

Kamran Alvi, St. Marguerite d'Youville. Scoring 40 points in a game is worth making my list this week. Alvi did it in a 74-50 Peel Region senior boys' basketball win over Ascension. The Panthers, on a roller-coaster ride of win, lose, win, lose, are still one of the top 10 teams in the Greater Toronto Area.

Marvin Binney, Eastern Commerce. I've heard some people call him "Marvellous Marv". That's because, as one of a handful of talented players on this school team, he knows what to do with a basketball and that's put the Saints at No. 1 in the Star's weekly poll. Forget about the fact that Binney scored 19 points in a 64-51 win over Western Tech. Binney can light up a game - fast. A splendid point guard, he's always dishing, dashing and scoring.

Julian Clarke, Oakwood. Surname sound familiar?  His father Norman, also a player at Oakwood in his teen days, went on to play for Canada's National team. As for Julian, we haven't seen him at his best yet. He was chosen MVP of the annual Jarvis Collegiate tournament and scored 16 points in the championship game, a 55-40 win over St. Francis Xavier of Mississauga.

Damal Donaldson, Notre Dame. This is the same school in Ajax that produced a top notch senior girls' basketball team. Now, the boys are doing well. Make that very well, with a 21-1 combined Durham Region league and exhibition record. Donaldson put up 27 points leading the way in a 65-59 win over J. Clarke Richardson High in a league game.

Sezar Hermez, St. Basil. Here's a well kept secret or I've just been kept out of the loop. A member of the senior boys' basketball team, hoping to secure a playoff spot despite a 4-6 record, Hermez could be the one to get his team to the post-season round. He scored 37 points in an 80-64 win over a much better Father Redmond team. Hermez also scored 28 points in a 79-63 victory over St. Mary.

Thea Imbrogno, St. Basil. Lots has been said about this whiz kid on skates. Yup, a Toronto Star all-star last season, seems she's headed for a repeat visit to our post-season Top Six. Imbrogno, who can play any position and do well, scored four goals in a 10-0 win over Father Redmond. She also scored in a 3-2 victory over Michael Power/St. Joseph. Her team, tops in the 10-school league, is 6-0.

Mark Spadafora, York Memorial. Four goals for him - and every one was needed in a 5-3 victory over Weston in a Toronto District School Board league game. Unlike the years when his school won a provincial championship, now the Mustangs are a Tier Two team. Still, they're playing and can boast a 4-1 league record - and good enough for first place.

David Vultao, Harbord. He's a goalkeeper with the Tigers hockey team that has a 4-0-1 record in the Toronto District School Board's Tier Two league. Vultao posted back-to-back shutouts - 4-0 over Danforth and then 7-0 over Ursula Franklin. As great as he is on skates, he's better in the classroom with high academic grades.

Maurice Walker, Mother Teresa. Intimidating. That might be the first word to register when you see this 6-foot-10, 260-pound basketball player. He's regarded as one of the top teenage post players in the country. Just watch him play. He scored 27 points in a four-point championship game loss to Eastern Commerce at the St. Mike's tourney. A few days later, he was tournament MVP of the Mother Teresa Invitational, which his team won 74-67 over Father Henry Carr.

Kodee Williams, Birchmount Park. Really a superb soccer player and destined for the NCAA, she's also top of the class academically - and we haven't even toucched on hockey. Her first three-goal game of the season came in an 8-0 yawner over Lawrence Park to keep the Panthers in top spot and undefeated in the Toronto District School Board league.

I'm back - from Bereavement Leave

It's good to be back.

Many, and I mean many, e-mails and telephone calls came in wondering why I appeared to have gone into hiding the past week. Dozens and dozens more from people, who knew the answer.

I have just returned from bereavement leave. My mother passed away peacefully in her sleep last week and, well, a huge shock to the family. Losing a mother is tough, very tough. It's something we mourn and deal with in our own way. She was a great woman. I wrote about her a few years ago in another section of the Star - and received one of the largest responses to a story.

So, I am back, ready to roll up the sleeves and find out what I missed and what happened. School exam break too, which gives me a chance to also get ready for the post-season round of playoffs.

And, just one more thing.

Thank you to the very large numbers of people - teachers, coaches, administrators, students, athletes, alumni, graduates, parents, sports fans and on and on - for your very personal and kind words of sympathy and condolences. Very therapeutic for me and greatly appreciated.

The Star's Top Ten Performances

Well, time to review the best of the week and the first of some serious high school competition early in 2009. Looks like basketball players get the majority of attention and for good reason. Coaches get a huge pat on the back for a good job highlighting their players. Volleyball coaches need to start hyping their athletes.

Here they are, my stars of the week.

Brandon Bos, Markham. I know he's not Bruce Springsteen, but forgive me for having some fun at the end of a long week. He's "the Bos" of a Markham senior boys' basketball team that has 21 wins in 27 games. The latest: a 72-68 thriller over North Albion at the Blue and Silver Classic senior boys' basketball tournament in Markham. A few days earlier, Bos had 37 points in a 72-64 York Region league win over Thornhill. And his father is the coach.

Jordan Clarke, Holy Trinity. Sitting around a bunch of folks at the St. Mike's Classic, people were talking basketball over and over and kept referring to "No. 5". Check him out, the kid can play. So, I watched. Not bad. I was impressed. He scored 17 points in a 65-59 consolation-round win over Vaughan Road. He also put up a game-high 25 points in a 73-56 loss to West Hill. I would debate that he's a huge factor in the Oakville school team having an overall 18-5 record.

Josh Collins, Vaughan. Give him a basketball and then stand back and watch. With all the hype focused on players from other teams, Collins just might be one of the most exciting shooting guards in the Greater Toronto Area. He scored 28 points, eight from the three-point line or beyond, in an easy 64-51 senior boys' basketball win over Emery at the St. Mike's Classic.

Jenna Dingeldein, Martingrove. Four goals. Nothing else needs to be mentioned. Then again, the four came in a 5-2 win over Lawrence Park in a Toronto District School Board varsity girls hockey game. No big surprise. She can play any position but goal and is one of the top players in the league.

Justin Eagles, Milton District. First win this season, and in nine games, for this Halton Region Tier Two boys' hockey team. Eagles actually scored more goals than the opposition. Make that four goals for the youngster in a 6-3 win over Abbey Park.

Kurtis Ethier, Jean Vanier. Here's a school that once had a very good senior basketball program. New coach Steven Hnatiuk has to start from scratch, especially with as many as eight players that were expected back instead getting the heave-ho for a variety of reasons. Ethier could be the start of good things to come with an impressive 21 points, including five three-point baskets, in a 74-45 loss to Eastern Commerce at the St. Mike's Classic.

Evan Jasper, Anderson. A four-goal game for him in a 9-3 blowout of McLaughlin in the Durham Region senior boys' hockey loop. Earlier in the week, he scored twice in an 11-2 drubbing of Clarington Central in another league game. Now, if the winners can only find another league for front-runners St. Mary, Ajax and Eastdale.

Daniel Mullings, Laurier. Not much is known about this guy, unless you have a chat with the senior basketball team at West Hill. Mullings had a game-high 29 points, including one of those crowd-pleasing jams with the game well in control. Yup, Laurier handed West Hill just its third loss of the year - a 64-52 spanking in a Toronto District School Board senior game.

Mark Spadafora, York Memorial. Once, the Mustangs were one of the most feared high school hockey teams in town. Now, despite a 3-1 league record, things never stay the same with York Memorial dropping to the Tier Two league in the Toronto District School Board. Spadafora, one of the sparkplugs for the Mustangs, scored three goals in an 8-2 win over Thistletown.

Elisabeth Stathopulos, Macdonald. An established field hockey player, this time she traded in the running shoes for skates. The result: three goals in a 9-0 thumping of Cedarbrae in a Toronto District School Board varsity girls' Tier Two hockey game. After the season ends, she'll pack her skates and head south to the University of Connecticut on a scholarship.