Ten Athletes Who Stood Out
One week left until the boys and girls take a break from high school sports - ending one decade and starting a new one. Going through the achievements of the past week, many were on the hardwood - and for basketball. Still very quiet from the world of volleyball and on another topic, coaches are doing a great job keeping me informed by recommending athletes but, ah, it's the male coaches by a huge margin.
Here we go, ten who get the spotlight this week,
Abass Ahmed, Etobicoke. He's only a junior-age basketball player, but he's coached by Blue Jays radio baseball announcer Jerry Howarth. Twice this week, I heard from that great baseball voice - and both times Ahmed was mentioned. Start with 23 points in a 50-48 thriller over George Harvey and a dozen in a 28-point win over Lakeshore.
Justin Ali, Northview Heights. He's at a school that likes to brag about its Academic Program for Gifted Athletes. Don't know much about Ali, or even if he's in it, but the soccer team at Boylen Secondary does. He can score goals and had all four in a 4-2 soccer win over Boylen. Yes, soccer. Yes, played indoors too.
Ryan Bennett, St. Mary's. Don't hear much in the way of sports from this Toronto Catholic school. That is, until 43 points are scored in a senior basketball game. Check out the score, wait for it, 102-83 over Bishop Allen. That's an NBA-type score - but these kids only played eight-minute quarters. Defence, what defence?
Brandon Bos, Markham District. You might think I'm the president of his fan club by mentioning him for a second consecutive week. Well, when you lead your team in scoring in six consecutive senior basketball games, you deserve to get the nod again. The point guard had 25 points in a 63-62 tournament game win over Mount Carmel.
Aidan Bronca, Villanova. Not one, but five goals in a hockey game is impressive. They came in a 9-2 spanking of Lakefield in the Conference of Independent Schools Athletic Associations. That's the long way of saying private schools. Villanova, just so that you know, is in first place in the 12-team Tier Two league.
Tori Charron, Uxbridge. They play some very good hockey at this school.- and always turn out one of the best players in the league. She might very well be the next after scoring four times in a 7-1 drubbing of Pine Ridge in a Durham Region varsity girls' game. She has already passed the 20-goal plateau - and it's not even Christmas.
Theadora Imbrogno, St. Basil The Great. You will be hearing her name quite a bit. She scored three goals and the opposing team from Bishop Allen got off easy losing 6-1. Imbrogno is a two-time member of the Star's all-star girls' hockey team and brilliant in the school's 2009 Ontario championship. I think she can easily play on a boys' team.
Chris McLaughlin, Abbey Park. Yet another basketball player to hit for big points this week. In his case, 42 in a 92-83 overtime thriller over Bishop Reding from Milton in a Halton Secondary Schools Athletic Association senior game involving two schools that had not won a game this season.
Scott Morrison, Richview. When a player scores 50 points in a senior boys' basketball game, he makes this list. Only 15 years old, he had quarter scores of 8, 13, 21 and 8 - which included six three-pointers in a 63-53 Toronto District School Board league win over Runnymede. He's the first player this year to crack the half century point total in T-O.
Nicholas Stojanovski, Emily Carr. He's a 17-year-old grade 12 student at the Woodbridge school - not one of your powerhouses. He scored 29 points in a basketball win over Maple and earlier in the week had six three-pointers and 25 points for the Thunderbirds in a York Region game against Toronto District Christian.
Here we go, ten who get the spotlight this week,
Abass Ahmed, Etobicoke. He's only a junior-age basketball player, but he's coached by Blue Jays radio baseball announcer Jerry Howarth. Twice this week, I heard from that great baseball voice - and both times Ahmed was mentioned. Start with 23 points in a 50-48 thriller over George Harvey and a dozen in a 28-point win over Lakeshore.
Justin Ali, Northview Heights. He's at a school that likes to brag about its Academic Program for Gifted Athletes. Don't know much about Ali, or even if he's in it, but the soccer team at Boylen Secondary does. He can score goals and had all four in a 4-2 soccer win over Boylen. Yes, soccer. Yes, played indoors too.
Ryan Bennett, St. Mary's. Don't hear much in the way of sports from this Toronto Catholic school. That is, until 43 points are scored in a senior basketball game. Check out the score, wait for it, 102-83 over Bishop Allen. That's an NBA-type score - but these kids only played eight-minute quarters. Defence, what defence?
Brandon Bos, Markham District. You might think I'm the president of his fan club by mentioning him for a second consecutive week. Well, when you lead your team in scoring in six consecutive senior basketball games, you deserve to get the nod again. The point guard had 25 points in a 63-62 tournament game win over Mount Carmel.
Aidan Bronca, Villanova. Not one, but five goals in a hockey game is impressive. They came in a 9-2 spanking of Lakefield in the Conference of Independent Schools Athletic Associations. That's the long way of saying private schools. Villanova, just so that you know, is in first place in the 12-team Tier Two league.
Tori Charron, Uxbridge. They play some very good hockey at this school.- and always turn out one of the best players in the league. She might very well be the next after scoring four times in a 7-1 drubbing of Pine Ridge in a Durham Region varsity girls' game. She has already passed the 20-goal plateau - and it's not even Christmas.
Theadora Imbrogno, St. Basil The Great. You will be hearing her name quite a bit. She scored three goals and the opposing team from Bishop Allen got off easy losing 6-1. Imbrogno is a two-time member of the Star's all-star girls' hockey team and brilliant in the school's 2009 Ontario championship. I think she can easily play on a boys' team.
Chris McLaughlin, Abbey Park. Yet another basketball player to hit for big points this week. In his case, 42 in a 92-83 overtime thriller over Bishop Reding from Milton in a Halton Secondary Schools Athletic Association senior game involving two schools that had not won a game this season.
Scott Morrison, Richview. When a player scores 50 points in a senior boys' basketball game, he makes this list. Only 15 years old, he had quarter scores of 8, 13, 21 and 8 - which included six three-pointers in a 63-53 Toronto District School Board league win over Runnymede. He's the first player this year to crack the half century point total in T-O.
Nicholas Stojanovski, Emily Carr. He's a 17-year-old grade 12 student at the Woodbridge school - not one of your powerhouses. He scored 29 points in a basketball win over Maple and earlier in the week had six three-pointers and 25 points for the Thunderbirds in a York Region game against Toronto District Christian.
What impresses me about this list is not just the calibre of athletes but that you appear to be giving players not in the traditional elite sports schools a chance to shine as well. Nice job.
Posted by: Alan | December 12, 2009 at 12:03 AM
Didn't know that about Jerry Howarth and coaching.
Great to see him taking time to help young high school students and it would be nice if you could mention other people like him doing the same.
Posted by: Mr. Blake | December 12, 2009 at 12:07 AM
This is a great thing you do for high school athletes. You wouldn't believe what something like this does for a student.
While you might have to deal with some people who are always grumpy or jealous or angry, there are dozens more who appreciate the Toronto Daily Star's recognition of school sports.
Don't ever cut it.
Posted by: MJ | December 12, 2009 at 10:34 AM
I enjoy your blog and remember when I was once listed.
What I really find enjoyable is the extra information that you add, and your opinion, which atytracts me back each week.
Posted by: Sean | December 12, 2009 at 10:36 AM
I used to think that you only go after the athletes who pile up the points but I guess that's not so and it is really nice to see the variety.
Posted by: AS | December 12, 2009 at 11:48 AM
I am a regular follower of this and find it disgraceful that schools are not blowing the horn of their female athletes.
Gender equity was supposed to be so important, right.
I don't know if it is coaches or managers or administrations, get off your ass and start doing things to single out more girls.
Posted by: Marcie | December 12, 2009 at 11:51 AM
Very interesting group.
Posted by: rk | December 12, 2009 at 03:46 PM
What ever happened to the Star that I once knew.
Seems that there is less and less space. Lots of things are no longer in the paper and theat great high school page is gone too.
The people who make the calls at the Star should realize that readers are not all professional sports fans.
We too buy the paper and we may stop if we don't get what we want.
More sports stories on high schools, please.
Posted by: Wild One | December 12, 2009 at 10:39 PM
Here's a suggestion you do a very good job singling out players.
How about the top five teams of the week?
Can that be done?
Posted by: Tomy | December 12, 2009 at 10:41 PM
You may be asking for alot to get teachers, female teachers, to toot the horn of a player.
That's because most of them have this snarky attitude that every girl deserves to be recognized.
Posted by: KK | December 12, 2009 at 10:45 PM
I've seen Brandon Bos play and he'll fit in nicely at a Canadian university.
Don't feel bad about mentioning him twice.
I would be after you if you didn't salute the players who deserve to be on your list and I don't care if they're on it for five weeks in a row.
Read far too many people on discussion boards who are jealous of what he can do with a basketball - and I am not related to him either.
Posted by: Parker | December 12, 2009 at 10:52 PM
Ryan Bennett goes to Bishop Allen
Posted by: Nerquaye | December 16, 2009 at 09:06 PM