Performances Worth Highlighting - Again

I do listen.

Several people suggested that I hold off picking my top 10 athletes of the week until the weekend ends allowing for tournaments and last minute information coming in from schools. Alright, let's see what happens.

So, here we go. No need for trumphets or firecrackers. The 10 for this week made plenty of noise with their display of excellence in sport. People keep writing and asking why I don't list them in numerical order instead of the alphabet approach?

I did say that I listen. Some times the ideas are good. This one, not so. In response, it's very difficult in high school sports - and with a variety too - to list them 1 to 10 without offending someone.

Fraser Aird, Campbell. Soccer is his game and, from what I have been told, this youngster can play the game. He's been on a provincial team and now he's scoring goals for his Toronto high school junior boys' team. He had five goals in a 7-2 win over Lester B. Pearson

Fabienne Chan, Richmond Hill, She's now a provincial gold medalist in badminton - and accomplished it in her first appearance at the Ontario high school playoffs. She had lost a few days earlier in the Canadian under-19 Singles playoffs and - with an injured hand - was unbeatable and swept the Ontario final.

Valaine Confesor, Cardinal Newman. A two-time junior athlete of the year at her school, she's a four-sport athlete. She scored the winning goal in a 5-1 soccer victory over St. Joseph's, but also claimed the gold medal in the table tennis finals.

 

Conor McCann, Malvern. I saw him play in a Toronto rugby game and was impressed at how he took control with his talent, power and physical strength. Four tries and five converts in a 52-7 senior boys' win over Riverdale. He's also on Canada's under-17 rugby squad.

 

Connor Panas, Etobicoke. Great pitching performance in an 11-5 win over Weston. He helped out with the bat too - a home run - in that Toronto District School Board league game. Baseball runs in the family. His older brother Ryan was a Toronto Star MVP and former OUA rookie of the year playing at Wilfrid Laurier.

 

Kayla Picanco, Loretto. Yes, second week on this big list. She has to be the top soccer scorer in the Toronto high school game. In her last three games, try 18 goals. That includes five in a 7-3 poounding of Don Bosco in their Toronto District Colleges Athletic Association varsity game.

 

Victoria Powers, Denis O'Connor. Rarely hear much from this Ajax-area high school, but this lacrosse player is creating attention. Six goals in a 10-2 Durham Region win over Paul Dwyer. She had six more, same day, in a 13-10 loss to Holy Trinity.

 

Alex Schweinberger, Huron Heights. For one of those rare times, I'm at a loss for words. Don't know much about this young man, other than he's a rugby player and can kick. He converted all seven tries in a decisive 49-0 win over Markville in a York Region junior game.

 

Daisuke Suzuki, Forest Hill. He has the same name as the Japanese songwriter and actor, but our guy is a former high school athlete of the year. Played four sports for the Falcons. Now, it's baseball - and he's a pitcher with wins over Oakwood (8-1) and Harbord (9-0)

 

Natasha Tyzler, St. Joseph's/Wellesley. Opposing softball teams keep pitching to the '09 team MVP and she keeps hitting - home runs. She had three home runs and 12 RBI in her last two games. Big hit was a grand slam in a 22-13 victory over Community Hebrew.

Comments

[Larry]

Great list of young athletes. Thank you

[Kerri]

After reading your story about Fabienne Chan, one does wonder how injured her hand really was in the first place or was she using this as an excuse in case she lost for the second time in a week. Seems to me that playing so many games in a few days, with an injured hand, could affect how she plays and yet she won a gold medal at the Ontario high school final. It also tells me that this Ontario school event was far less competitive to the Canadian championships that attracted the best athletes in that age bracket. The OFSAA event did not.

[andy]

Hi Dave - have you stopped the highschool rankings - specifically Rugby? I can't find them anywhere... Andrew.

[chris starkey]

Andy...go to the ORU website. They are doing an all-Ontario one.

Top 10 Ranking

as of May 10 2010

1. Uxbridge
2. Barrie Central
3. Adam Scott ( AA )
4. Lorne Park
5. Stouffville
6. Medway
7. Oakville Trafalgar
8. Trenton ( AA )
9. Saltfleet
10. St John’s ( Brantford )

HM ( in order ) - Eastdale, Brantford, Sir John A Macdonald (Waterloo ), Streetsville, Bradford, Grey Highlands, Pine Ridge, Weldon

[David Grossman]

Andy, yes the two high school rankings for Spring - boys' baseball and boys' rugby - did not go this year.
And, not because I wasn't interested. In fact, quite the opposite.
The truth: very little interest from senior coaches in being part of our panel. Not sure if the season is too short, people aren't interested or what may the reason?
To do a high school ranking with some credibility, and these are also not scientific, we need input from all leagues in the Greater Toronto Area. We also need regular score reporting.
It hasn't happened this year.
We can always build for the next school year.

[andy]

That's kind of sad David - I guess it relates to your "those were the days" blog... Fingers crossed for next year. Thanks for the link Chris.