Mid-Season Top 30 CCAA National Basketball Rankings by Bill Crowdis
Here we are at Mid-Season and after the dust has settled we have our first in depth look at the CCAA’s Top 30 teams.
Number of Ranked Teams by Conference
- OCAA – 10
- ACAC – 7
- PACWEST – 5
- RSEQ – 4
- ACAA – 4
CCAA Top 30
Rank. School Wins-Losses (Previous Rank) Conference
1. Holland 7-0 (1) ACAA
Holland College is dominating the ACAA on both ends of the court, leading the league with per game averages of 98.9 points, 20.6 assists, 15.4 steals and 3.6 blocks. Carrying more then half of the offensive load is the dominating junior trio of Travis Adams (20ppg) Whyley Roosevelt (19ppg) and Jayden Nordin (15ppg).
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2. Vancouver Island 7-0 (2) PACWEST
As Holland holds it down out east, Vancouver Island University is doing the same on the left coast with their own three headed monster Josh Ross (18ppg, 11rpg & 4apg), John Thompson (20ppg & 3apg) and Jason Fortin (9rpg) leading the way.
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3. Mohawk 7-0 (3) OCAA WEST
With a huge turnover of veterans from last year’s OCAA Championship team, it is a surprise to see Mohawk undefeated in the most talented conference in the country, the OCAA West. With great balance and depth, the Mountaineers have been lead by returning vets Lamar Barr (18ppg, 7rpg & 3apg) and Jeff Hunt (12rpg) along with the emergence of freshman Kareem Collins (15ppg & 3apg).
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4. Red Deer 9-0 (4) ACAC SOUTH
Red Deer has been a juggernaut in the ACAC South conference, leading in almost every team statistical category, averaging 101.6ppg with an average margin of victory of over 27 points. The best one-two punch in the CCAA is Anthony Ottley (19ppg, 7rpg & 3apg) and Ian Tevis (28ppg, 7rpg & 3apg) both players putting in All-Canadian type seasons.
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5. Quest 6-1 (5) PACWEST
Having spent the past few seasons playing third fiddle to VIU and Langara, Quest is looking poised to challenge for a provincial championship. Theo VandenEkart (17ppg) and Dallas Searles (14ppg & 3apg) have been instrumental in bringing the Kermodes to the next level.
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6. Sheridan 7-2 (6) OCAA WEST
After not qualifying for the provincial championships for the first time in almost thirty years, the Bruins are once again a provincial and national contender. Leading the comeback charge are returning players Brian Owusu (18ppg) Adam Elhereich (16ppg) and Dylan Periana (16ppg).
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7. Keyano 11-1 (7) ACAC NORTH
After losing their first game of the season, the Huskies hustled off eleven straight wins. Showing great depth and balance with fifth year veterans Colin Whitely (15ppg & 7rpg), Demaine Nelson (11ppg & 7rpg), and Kevin Dia (9ppg, 4rpg & 4apg). The emergence of Cory Richardson (16ppg) as the leading scorer for the team has been a bonus.
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8. Champlain 6-1 (8) RSEQ
With an early season victory over John Abbott in overtime, the Cavs followed up with an overtime upset loss to Brebeuf. It should be noted that the RSEQ conference has the most parity in the CCAA. Kasheem Thomas (17ppg, 4rpg & 6apg) and Nikita Kasongo (16ppg, 7rpg and 2.5bpg) lead the way.
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9. La Cite 10-0 (9) OCAA EAST
To say La Cite has been the biggest surprise of the first semester would be an understatement. Their 10-game winning streak is not only a team record but it also matches the most wins in a season, when they went 10-10 in 2012-13. Interesting that there are two players back from that ‘historical’ season; fifth year senior Daniel Gracia (18.5ppg, 5.5rpg & 2.5apg) and third year vet Andre-Nicolas Ntivumbura (9ppg & 12rpg). Their return is complemented by second year scorer Hess Mayele (19ppg, 9rpg & 4apg) and freshman John Annilysse (10ppg & 7rpg).
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10. NAIT 10-2 (10) ACAC NORTH
After splitting games with Keyano to start the season, NAIT has put together a solid first semester with their second loss coming in an upset to Lakeland College. Leading the way is freshman Jackson Jacob (21ppg, 5.5rpg & 3apg) supported by fourth year senior Sebastian Cava (12ppg, 8ppg & 3apg) and fifth year seniors Adrian Curtis (13ppg, 5rpg & 2apg) and Connor Dolson (12ppg & 3rpg).
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11. Humber 6-3 (11) OCAA WEST After losing their first two games of the season to Lambton and St. Clair, a lot of people counted the defending national champs out of the equation. However, the Hawks managed to win six of their next seven games including a classic match up against arch-rival Sheridan College. Gibson Eduful is the hands down leader of this kettle averaging 18ppg, 6rpg, 5apg & 3spg.
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12. John Abbott 5-2 (12) RSEQ
A pre-season favourite to win the RSEQ, John Abbott lossed in OT to Champlain and also fell victim to Brebeuf during the first semester. The Islanders are relying heavily on balanced play from their team with scoring coming from Keevon Small (20ppg, 6rpg & 3apg) & Justin Owen-Renwick (18ppg, 3rpg & 4apg) while Daniel Cayer (15ppg, 11rpg & 4apg) is putting in a great all-around season.
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13. Medicine Hat 6-3 (13) ACAA
After starting the season off with a surprise loss to Ambrose the Rattlers picked up key victories against Olds and Lethbridge College. Setting the tone for the season are the fourth year trio of Michael Farion (18ppg, 5rpg & 3apg), Pietro de Andrade (16ppg, 11rpg & 3apg) and Gui Fuck (16ppg, 7rpg & 2apg).
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14. Lambton 6-3 (14) OCAA WEST
Coming off a rare appearance at the provincial championships and taking the eventual national champions, Humber College, to the brink, these Lions are looking to build on last season’s success with a veteran foursome in Branden Padgett (25ppg & 4rpg), Mike Lucier (18ppg & 12rpg), Shawn Hill (17ppg & 5rpg) and Jason Marshell (14ppg & 7rpg).
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15. Langara 5-2 (15) PACWEST
In a rebuilding year, the Falcons are still in the hunt to challenge for the PacWest crown. Third year Drake Downer (17ppg & 7rpg) is leading this young group complimented by freshmens Ravi Basra (12ppg, 4rpg & 6apg) and Gary Minhus (15ppg, 3rpg & 2apg).
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16. Niagara 6-3 (16) OCAA WEST
Trying to climb the ladder in the OCAA West can be a daunting task, however Niagara came out with a favourable early season schedule and started off 4-0. The next part of the schedule was much more competitive for the Knights, who were unable to slay mainstay programs like Sheridan, Humber and Mohawk. Marako Lundy (20ppg, 5rpg, 2apg & 2spg) is the primary option with rookie standouts Jordan McDonald (13ppg & 9rpg) and Alex Elliot (12ppg) playing beyond their years.
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17. UKC 7-1 (17) ACAA
While Holland seems poised to capture another ACAA championship, the University of Kings College has put together a successful first semester with a 7-0 start before falling to the Hurricanes in their final game. Third year guard Ryan Harnett (16ppg, 6rpg, 8apg, 2spg) has taken the reins along with fifth year senior Thomas Watson (16ppg, 3rpg & 2apg).
18. Crandall 6-2 (18) ACAA
Picked by many to play spoiler for Holland, the Chargers’ two losses on the season have come at the hands if the Hurricanes. Leading the balanced charge is senior Thomarcus Nix (15ppg, 7rpg & 2apg) and sophomore Brandon Fields (10ppg, 5rpg & 5apg).
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19. Capilano 4-3 (19) PACWEST
The Blues had solid victories over Douglas and Camosun to pencil themselves in as a top four contender in the PacWest conference. This young team is lead by super sophomore guard Martin Bogajev (22ppg, 3rpg & 3apg).
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20. Olds 6-3 (20) ACAC SOUTH
Hosting this years provincial championships, the Broncos have big plans and expect to make some noise come play off time. Olds gave Red Deer their biggest challenge of the year, while losing heart breakers to Ambrose and Medicine Hat. Wayne Tucker (30ppg, 6rpg, 6apg) leads the country in scoring with the support of fourth year vets Anthony Heintzman (16ppg & 3rpg) and John Dumetz (9ppg & 8rpg).
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21. Lethbridge 5-4 (21) ACAC SOUTH
After starting the season 4-0, the Kodiaks lossed four of their next five games. Chaz Johnson (19ppg, 8rpg & 7.5apg) is playing big along with backcourt mate, Travis Butt (11ppg). Forwards Colten Murray (16ppg & 6rpg) and Grady Taylor (16ppg & 6rpg) have been carrying the load in the front court.
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22. Mount Allison 4-3 (22) ACAA
Mount Allison could be the dark horse of the ACAA sporting it’s own big three with forwards Bradley Fuller (23ppg, 6rpg) Alex Chisholm (14ppg, 6rpg & 3apg) and guard Bradley Sanford (16ppg, 7rpg & 3apg).
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23. Algonquin 7-3 (23) OCAA EAST
After a rare absence from the provincial championships, the Thunder is rolling back strong. Key wins in league play have given them a small foot hold on a bye to this year’s championship. Murphy Beya (14ppg, 10rpg & 3apg) has been solid along with Owen Powers (13ppg).
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24. Montmorency 5-2 (24) RSEQ
Momo has been under the radar for most of the season. The only team in the top four to actually beat Brebeuf this season making them another dark horse contender in the RSEQ. Alix Lochard (23ppg, 9rpg & 2apg) leads the team and the conference in scoring.
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25. St. Lawrence 6-4 (27) OCAA EAST
Bitten by the injury bug, the Vikings had depth issues to contend with throughout the season. When healthy and at 100%, SLK could challenge La Cite and Algonquin for a bye to provincials. Jaz Bains (22ppg, 7.5rpg, 6apg & 3spg) is coming into his own while veterans Andrew Dawkins (15ppg & 5rpg) and Donald Gibson (16ppg & 8rpg) are amongst the top players at their positions.
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26. George Brown 6-4 (26) OCAA EAST
GBC been inconsistent in the first semester, having their four game winning streak snapped by Fleming College going into the break. Dejazmatch James (20ppg, 8rpg, 2apg & 2spg) is putting up all-star numbers while Ted Johnson (13ppg) helps by shouldering some of the scoring load.
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27. Vanier 3-4 (25) RSEQ
After a 3-0 start to the season and everyone else in the RSEQ having taken a loss already, the Cheetahs looked impressive, however, a four game losing skid to finish the first semester put them into the mix of this hard to predict conference. A well balanced offence is lead by Chiekh-Ibrahima Ngom (14ppg, 4.5rpg & 4apg) and Godsman Kwakwah (12ppg & 8rpg).
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28. Seneca 5-4 (28) OCAA EAST
With wins over GBC and SLK, followed by an overtime victory over Centennial, the Sting have put themselves into potential playoff position. Sophomore Josh Yorke-Frazer (16ppg, 5rpg, 3apg & 2spg) has people buzzing about this young team going into the second semester.
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29. Camosun 3-4 (29) PAWEST
Even though they have a losing record, you can’t count the Chargers out. They loss two heartbreakers to Quest and Langara, both games by 3 points, to finish of the first half. Ted Neilson (15ppg & 10rpg) has been leading the charge.
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30. Ambrose 5-4 (30) ACAC SOUTH
New to the CCAA, the Lions came out of the gate with an upset over Medicine Hat to start the season. With inconsistent play they have won and lossed a few games they didn’t expect. Kyler Shula (24ppg, 4rpg & 4apg) is the top cat, with help from forwards Max Vitala (18ppg & 9rpg) and Blake Seebach (16ppg & 5rpg).
