Canadian National HS Rankings – Release #6 #NPHTop25 – Gaining Provincial Insight

As we approach the Holidays, there is high school basketball to catch up on across the country, and more action ot take place over the weekend.

With a major tournament taking place last week in the West (REB Invitational), there has been considerable movement as you will see. The season is now well underway for most teams in the West, which will provide us with insight on where everyone stacks up.

In addition, cross-province tournaments are on the horizon in the new year, and we will be tracking the progress of teams as usual.

Here we go…

Ross Sheppard Drops, Kelowna Impresses, SWC Tops In AB

15 games in 17 days–The Ross Sheppard boys, who opened up their season hot, suffered losses this month, including 106-100 to Bishop McNally, 109-71 to Bishop O’Byrne at REB, and to city rival Harry Ainlay. Calgary’s Sir Winston Churchill looks like the clear #1 in the city, and the province at this point. SWC is undefeated with  key wins over Mcnally, O’Byrne and Father Lacombe.

Manitoba Hoops

#NPHTop25 member Oak Park is early in their season, sitting at 2-0 with dominant wins over Sisler (95-46) and Kelvin (93-68). OP is the team to beat in MB, until proven otherwise.

Kildonan East has already racked up two tournament wins, undefeated at 10-0, capturing both Reiver Tip Off and BSSI. A team to keep tabs on, featuring cadet national team hopeful Emmanuel Akot.

The Wesmen Classic coming up at the end of month could have Oak Park and KEC meet in the championship game, given they take care of business with opposition in their way.

Bishop Reding on the Rise?

Windsor InvitationalFeaturing Christian David, the number one prospect in the country and an overall talented team, there was high expectations for the team out of Milton entering the HS season. Following a rough start to the year, where they stacked up against typical GTA powerhouses, they are fresh off a tournament wins in the Chancellor.

They now travel West for the University of Windsor invitational, where they may have an opportunity to take on #NPHTop10 teams such as Oakwood, Pine Ridge and an overall solid field. Teams like Holy Names, Kennedy, Herman, St Patrick’s and Chatham-Kent will also get a crack at the top dogs.

Xavier Rimrocker – Campion Takes Down SJK, St Francis Real Deal

Campion Bears - 2014 Rim Rocker Champions
Campion Bears – 2014 Rim Rocker Champions

It took overtime, but Campion got it done, defeating #2 SJK. The Bears remain at the #4 spot due to overall resume, where they lost against this team earlier in the season, now 1-1 against each other. Overall, SJK has been a more consistent team throughout the season. On the other hand, Campion, although talented, need to bring it every game, despite the competition. The Bears are certainly an OFSAA contender, but multiple players will have to step up in order to take the next step.

Despite doubters in the early going, St Francis has proven to be the real deal due to the fact that all players buy in to coach Sullivan’s system. Abu Kigab leads the way, but the emergence of big man Lucas Olsthoorn takes this team to another level. They fought against St Edmund Campion in a close game, and blew out Notre Dame (Brampton).

ND Brampton gave everything they had against SJK, losing 62-57. Once again prove their worth in terms of effort. That being said, to defeat the upper echelon teams, they will have to be able to survive in the half court.

Father Goetz could be creeping up! With Matthew Carating back in the mix, alongside Freddy Ibrahim and young Jaelin Llewllyn, the Gators form a talented guard combination that now have their squad on the outside looking in.

 

Eastern Commerce Steady Progress, Crescent on Radar

Eastern Holiday

Eastern Commerce took care of business in their home tournament, capturing Holiday Classic over Thornlea, a team missing their star playier in Jaaden Lewis. They look better everytime we see them. Starting PG Jason McDonald went down in the  championship game, but Dwight Dixon stepped up in his absence.

Crescent, lead by Simon Mikre at the lead guard position and a fiery coach in Ari Hunter, are back on the radar. This team plays with guts and won’t back down from the best of competition–they proved that against Eastern. Now on the outside looking in, we will track their progress the rest of the season where they compete in a tough private school league featuring St Mikes and SJK.

Looking Ahead

  • Christmas International Shootout (St Mikes, DYouville, Catholic Central)
  • University of Windsor Invitational (Oakwod, Pine Ridge, Bishop Reding)

NPHTOP25

Canadian National HS Rankings

  1. St Michael’s (Toronto, ON)
  2. SJK (Kitchener, ON)
  3. Oakwood (Toronto, ON)
  4. Campion (Brampton, ON)
  5. Eastern Commerce (Toronto, ON)
  6. Henry Carr (Toronto, ON)
  7. D’Youville (Brampton, ON)
  8. Vaughan (Vaughan, ON)
  9. Pine Ridge (Pickering, ON)
  10. St Francis (St. Catharines, ON)
  11. Thornlea (Thornhill, ON)
  12. Leboldus (Regina, SK)
  13. St Marys (Kitchener, ON)
  14. Oak Park (Winnipeg, MB)
  15. Saltfleet (Hamilton, ON)
  16. MacNab (Hamilton, ON)
  17. Winston Churchill (Calgary, AB)
  18. Holy Trinity (Oakville, ON)
  19. Bishop Reding (Milton, ON)
  20. Notre Dame (Brampton, ON)
  21. Cameron Heights (Kitchener, ON)
  22. Corpus Christi (Burlington, ON)
  23. Bishop McNally (Calgary, AB)
  24. Auburn (Halifax, NS)
  25. Burnaby South (Burnaby, BC)

Outside Looking In

No shortage of teams to track! Below are those across the country that possess the talent, and capabilities of beating #NPHTop25 teams and climbing throughout the season. Wins & losses will ultimately dictate their future ranking.

  • Kelowna (Kelowna, BC)
  • Father Goetz (Mississauga, ON)
  • Pope John Paul II (Scarborough, ON)
  • SJAM (Waterloo, ON)
  • Notre Dame (Welland, ON)
  • Catholic Central (Windsor, ON)
  • West Humber (Toronto, ON)
  • Castlebrooke (Brampton, ON)
  • Citadel (Halifax, NS)
  • Kilodean East (Winnipeg, MB)
  • Crescent (Toronto, ON)
  • Bishop O’Byrne (Calgary, AB)
  • St Francis Xavier (Mississauga, ON)
  • Harry Ainlay (Edmonton, AB)
  • Oak Bay (Oak Bay, BC)
  • Martingrove (Toronto, ON)
  • Ross Sheppard (Edmonton, AB)
  • Horton (Halifax, NS)
  • Pickering High (Ajax, ON)
  • Emery (Toronto, ON)
  • Assumption (Burlington, ON)
  • Herman (Windsor, ON)
  • Kennedy (Windsor, ON)
  • St Francis Xavier (Edmonton, AB)
  • Eastwood (Kitchener, ON)
  • Mother Teresa (Scarborough, ON)
  • H.B Beal (London, ON)
  • Cardinal Newman (Hamilton, ON)
  • Kitsilano (Vancouver, BC)
  • Archbishop O’Leary (Edmonton, AB)
  • Walnut Grove (Langley, BC)
  • A.N Myer (Niagara, ON)
  • St Patrick’s (Sarnia, ON)
  • Vancouver College (Vancouver,BC)
  • Father Lacombe (Calgary, AB)
  • Terry Fox (Port Coquitlam, BC)
  • St Patrick’s (Ottawa, ON)
  • Merivale (Ottawa, ON)
  • Vaughan Road (Vaughan, ON)

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