Top 25 Canadian National High School Team Rankings – 2015-2016

The 2015-2016 Canadian high school basketball landscape has taken shape.

Following the Western Canada tournament, which featured top teams from BC, Alberta and Manitoba, the dust has settled.

Kelowna Owls – Team to Beat in the West

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It has been said that, this 24-0 Kelowna Owls squad could be the best BC basketball team ever. Fresh off the prestigious Western Canada tournament gold, Kelowna’s bench boss is keeping focus on the end goal.

“That statement can only come true if we win provincials,” Head Coach Harry Parmar told NPH.

The Owls returned seven players from last year and bring both experience and maturity says Parmar.

Kelowna is stacked with talent and skill, lead by National team member Grant Shepherd, Mason Bourcier, UBC commit Parker Simon, Matt Lafontaine, Colin McGrath, Nav Sandhu, and Davide Clancio.

Coach Parmar stressed the team’s balance and depth.

 

Henry Carr, Vaughan Battle for Top Spot

Henry Carr and Vaughan have been battling for the top spot all season, and have met each other in three different tournament championships (FHC Early Bird, Humber Classic, St Mike’s Invitational). Both team’s only losses against Canadian HS competition have come against each other. Vaughan won the last match up, but the Crusaders won the first two. The edge goes to FHC for the #1 spot in the nation.

“This season has been about challenging ourselves,” FHC Head Coach Paul Melnik told NPH. The Crusaders are the only team in the country that plays in their traditional league (TDCAA) the OSBA prep league, while also still competing for an OFSAA title.

This Carr-Vaughan match up could end up being the OFSAA championship finals, but Melnik remains cautious.

“We know we must be at our best because there are a dozen teams that could take you out on any given day.”

Jeanne Mance – Undefeated in Quebec

Jeane Mance is undefeated in the Quebec high school scene, and hold an overall record of 23-0, which includes 7-0 VS Ontario competition. Beat Vaughan at the Sun Youth tournament, however the Voyageurs were without star point guard Andrew Nembhard.

This Montreal team is athletic, tough, scrappy and is currently the favourite to win the QC High School title.

“We play a very fast pace game, one of our strengths is our offensive transition with bigs who run the floor and guards who likes pushing the ball,” explained Head Coach Martin Dusseault.

James Jean Marie and Elie Karojo lead the way offensively, while Glody Kavadioko and Roodly St-Surin-Brun set the tone on defense.

Harry Ainlay – Undefeated in Alberta

Undefeated in Alberta and the top team in the province until proven otherwise. New Mexico commit Aher Uguak is a mismatch problem, while lead guard Marvin Washington sets the table. Reigning provincial championships.

Horton High – Representing the Atlantic

Top dogs in Atlantic Canada. This 30-2 Horton squad have scorers at all five positions and play high IQ basketball. “We shoot the ball very well from three and when we are on, there may not be a team in the country that could beat us,” Coach Kevin Veinot tells NPH.

This Horton squad is lead by their talented guards 6’5 sniper Gage Sabean, and 6’4 lead guard Keevan Veinot.

“Our biggest strength is the focus and commitment to win that our student-athletes have throughout the game so we don’t take a possession off on either end of the court.”

NPH Top 25 National Rankings

* Records are against Canadian HS competition.*

The #NPHTop25 takes into account each team’s ***OVERALL*** body of work and resume, level of competition and insight from coaches across the country. Head to Head match ups are secondary, unless comparing two similar resumes.

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1. Henry Carr (Toronto, ON) (22-1)
2. Vaughan (Vaughan, ON) (27-3)
3. Kelowna (Kelowna, BC) (24-0)
4. Jeanne Mance (Montreal, QC) (23-0)
5. Oakwood (Toronto, ON) (24-3)
6. St. Mike’s (Toronto, ON) (17-5)
7. Pine Ridge (Ajax, ON) (39-6)
8. Thornlea (Thornhill, ON) (34-5)
9. Bishop Reding (Milton, ON) (35-4)
10. Winston Churchill (Vancouver, BC) (22-3)
11. SJAM (Waterloo, ON) (25-4)
12. John Taylor (Winnipeg, MB) (13-1)
13. Horton (Wolfville, NS) (30-2)
14. Dorval-Jean-XXIII (Montreal, QC) (21-4)
15. Harry Ainlay (Edmonton, AB) (15-2)
16. Cardinal Newman (Hamilton, ON) (22-9)
17. Arch Bishop O’Leary (Edmonton, AB) (23-3)
18. St Laurent (Montreal, QC) (8-4)
19. Ashbury (Ottawa, ON) (26-3)
20. MacNab (Hamilton, ON) (24-7)
21. St Joseph’s (Mississauga, ON) (16-3)
22. West Humber (Toronto, ON) (18-7)
23. St Marcellinus (Mississauga, ON) (19-8)
24. Walnut Grove (Langley, BC) (20-5)
25. Bishop O’Byrne (Calgary, AB) (15-3)

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OSBA Standings – Orangeville Prep Atop Canadian Prep Scene

The inaugural OSBA season has had teams play a minimum of eight games to date. Orangeville Prep sits atop the league standings with an 8-0 record. This Canadian prep league features many of the top prospects in the nation.

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1. Orangeville Prep (8-0)
2. Athlete Institute (9-1)
3. Hill Academy (7-4)
4. Bill Crothers (3-5)
5. BTB Prep (2-8)
6. FHC (1-9)
7. SJK (1-8)