Best of the best - high school's top ten

We're coming to the end of the Winter Season for high school sports in this part of the world and while there might be fewer games, the individual performances have been outstanding. That means, picking 10 athletes for this weekly feature continues to be a tough job.

Last week I would have assumed lots of correspondence on how I missed someone here or there. Instead, lots of support for the athletes chosen. Thank you. Let's see what the response is this week. Here we go, my picks of the week.

Hassan Abdullahi, Pope John Paul II. He was singled out in December in this blog and now, back again. A 6-foot-2 guard with the Panthers. Yes, they're in Sunday's senior basketball final at Ryerson against Mother Teresa. Abdullahi scored 26 points in a 65-41 semifinal elimination of Michael Power/St. Joseph.

Richard Abbot, St. Mary. He's a third year forward with his Pickering-area senior hockey team. Lots of speed, great goal scorer, highly respected by his teammates and a good student. Can't ask for much more. He scored four goals, two each in 5-2 and 4-3 Durham Region semifinal wins over Anderson.

Caleigh Cruickshank, Richview. Her volleyball coach likes to praise this Grade 10 middle hitter. Her offensive performance in the Toronto District School Board citywide Double-A final was something special. She had 18 kills in a 3-1 championship win over Henry. Now, it's off to Perth for the Ontario playoffs.

Josee Daoust, Brother Andre. Great hockey player - quick and can score. She had three goals in an 8-2 playoff win over Huron Heights. No surprise, she had three in a win over Bill Crothers and three in another victory over Sacred Heart. Yes, her father is Dan who played over 500 games for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Andrew Ferizovic, Richview. Another one from this school. Hockey this time. Top scorer on the team, his eight-game goal streak ended in a 9-2 win over Silverthorn. But, he found another way to help: a personal best five assists. Oh yes, in grade 10 he was 14-0 in wrestling before he packed it in with an injury.

Tevin Findlay, Father Henry Carr. Well, the junior basketball team won a league title - and this 6-foot-3 point guard was a huge factor. When he gets on a run, look out. He scored a game-high 28 points - average for him this year - in a 98-35 crushing of Cardinal McGuigan in the Toronto Catholic final.

MiKyle McIntosh, Pickering. Some claim he's only 15 years old and 6-foot-5. Not sure, but he did bow away two Ajax schools. Scored 20 points in the Durham Region 83-74 senior basketball gold medal win over Richardson. In a semifinal, 23 points over Notre Dame. He likes to attack the rim, rebound and score.

Steph Nehring, Paul Dwyer. Yes, she's been the Star's high school ice hockey all-star goalie the past two years. All she's done is help her Oshawa-area team beat, and eliminate, St. Mary 3-0 and 2-0 to advance to the Durham Region final. Goals-against-average is about 1.00. Could return to Dwyer next year.

 

Rachel Rennick Lawrence Park. Not too often someone wins the Ontario high school final in the slalom and giant slalom. This 17-year old did - and in back-to-back years.Get this, she fractured her elbow in a toboggan accident a few days before the final. Toronto city champ too and coaches (skiing) to young kids.

 

Matthew Wright, Martingrove. Took control of the game finishing with 27 points and the winner in a come-from-behind 63-61 win over Jarvis in the citywide Triple-A basketball final. In a semifinal, 24 points in an 88-45 win over Thomson. One of the best in Toronto, could be at Maine, Duquesne or Santa Clara in the fall.

 

 

 

Comments

[Turner]

Thank you for singling out Richard Abbot.
He is having a superb year and is often lost in the large talent of very good hockey players.
I know he'll be thrilled.

[Mr. Farrell]

A very impressive selection of athletes. This is something I look forward to every week and appreciate all the detail provided.

[Patty]

You actually found four girls to single out. I know you don't get much support from coaches. I wish there was a better way to toot the horn for these girls.

[Norm]

Nehring is a giant in the net and an amazing goalie. She qwas worth being on your all-star team back then and should be a cinch again. I wouldn't be surprised if one day she's playing for Canada.

[Fox]

Reading this list, it raises a question or two about how many of these kids will actually compete at a future Olympics or play pro sport. File this for now. Maybe someone can reply in 10 years or less.

[dunk]

We'll soon see how good Abdullahi is against Mother Teresa.
Advance notice, he won't be a factor.

[Gerry]

Very interesting. Thank you