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.

Comments

[Frank]

I'll take Birchmount to win football and volleyball. Double gold.

[MB]

Far too many people didn't give Markham any credit this year. They are well balanced and the quarterback has two Metro Bowl rings already. Winless in three previous trips to the Dome, that will end on Wednesday.

[Doppler]

Notre Dame is "THE" team. Football championship all the way. Go Irish. Too much pwoer on offence and the defence has been outstanding. It's also payback time for last year. And I would put Notre Dame's sports program equal with Birchmount Park.

[Danny]

Seems like you don't think Pope John Paul II will be in the medal catregory for girls basketball. Next week, you'll be saying you were wrong.

[Mitchell]

Mr. Grossman, you do a great job for high school sports but you seem to have some power that leads to jinxing teams.
I wonder if those you figure should win medals will now lose. That would be interesting to see.

[Da Bear]

None has stopped Aaron Brown this year and that won't change. Too many offensive threats with Birchmount Park and their quarterback will be a huge surprise.

[Smitty]

Disagree with you Mr. Grossman. Not even a chance that a Toronto area school will win a gold, silver or even bronze medal in basketball. Not this year.

[Fan]

You forgot to mention one of the key players on the Birchmount Park team.
Quinn Smith is used in the backfield because of his size but he's been a nightmare for quarterbacks this year as a defensive lineman.
Can't miss No. 68. Some people call him the TANK because he's about 250 pounds.

[Hoopstergirl]

Basketball playoffs in Hamilton has 16 teams and eight are what you call from the Toronto area. That's if you include Burlington.
It's a wonder that you guys in Toronto, the centre of the universe, haven't claimed London to be a suburb too.
Of the eight schools, only the Burlington school was seeded in the Top Five.
Yes, eight schools have a shot at a medal. Fairly good odds but Toronto will get wiped out because they just can't play with the better teams. Sorry but it's the truth.

[Mr. Mumbo]

Very interesting reading.
This site is quite popular with parents and also with college coaches. I know because my son has been getting lots of calls from recruiting coaches who read this and The Toronto Star newspaper high school sports website.
God bless all of you and thank you from the bottom of my heart for the great job.

[Peel Fan]

Smitty, the GTA includes Burlington where Notre Dame is located. They are seeded #2 in AAAA OFSAA and have knocked off the champion from the powerful Hamilton Catholic league. Look for them to win a medal, likely silver against #1 St. John's from Brantford.

[Sean]

I am not one who replies but I wanted to mention how much I enjoy reading this blog and the school website. At a time when we have losers in sports - the Leafs, the Argonauts, the Blue Jays and more - there are readers who like hearing about aspiring young students athletes. I find it very disappointing that the page that appeared in the Star focussing on high school sports had disappeared and when trying to get an answer the Sports Editor has not replied. Maybe the Star should seriously be looking at young readers that could help keep the newspaper alive and appealing to more than just a disgruntled audience of pro fans.

[Billy Craig]

To some of the readers out there, if Burlington is considered Greater Toronto Area, then warnings should go out that the big city will likely be annexing Thunder Bay and Moosoneee next.

[Peel Fan]

Billy you might want to contact the Ontario Government, Metrolinx, and Stats Canada who all consider Burlington to be part of the GTA. Cities can be shared between more than one urban area.

Some of the readers out there might want to educate themselves on concepts of urban geography before making exaggerated comparisons.

[Boundaries]

The GTA used to exclude Burlington, but recently, Halton has been added. The border used to go to Mississauga, but now, goes through Oakville and Burlington.

[Jansen]

You boys are funny debating what is the Greater Toronto Area. Ten people will have ten different answers.
Remember when they announced the Pan Am Games winner, all the commotion over the "B Level" amateur games....everyone put their finger in the pie claiming they won.
So, Toronto is now Oshawa and Barrie and St. Catharines. Why not re-name Ontario...Greater Toronto Area?

[Joe]

Markham will prevail. Just like seeing unbeaten teams plop when the big prize is on the line.

[Larry]

Nightmare at Birchmount.
They stunk the joint out.
They had the athletes and Markham had the workers.
Round one to the better team - MARKHAM!!!