Durham Region

How is the durham region looking this year who are the top contenders and what schools improved or declined from last year

I certainly don't know everything about everyone in Durham, but my thoughts would be:

AAAA
Pickering will be solid as always (not sure if Rashford left or not?)
Pine Ridge with Jamal Reynolds (most underated player in durham) will contend for the title as well
JCR - lost their triple threat but still have talent and I believe a transfer or two who sat out last year will be eligible this year
Notre Dame - Very strong junior team last year and some good returning seniors will put them back in the mix.
Dunbarton - Our solid junior team mostly moves up to senior this year. Will make some noise, but currently on the outside looking in.
Other decent teams - St. Mary's, Ajax (both will excellent junior teams last year)

AAA
Anderson - Pierre is back with some supporting cast.
D.O.C - i hear will be strong with Okolie back. (sorry if my spelling is incorrect)

AA
GL Roberts - i don't know for sure, but based on reputation, i'm assuming they are our strongest AA team again this year.

Also, there are always question marks about eligibility and this may strengthen or weaken certain teams.

What do others think?

Pickering - Always has a good program, some juniors moving up. They will be contenders.
Pineridge - Jamal Reynolds returning, I heard they got a few transfers as well, including Haboubacar Mutombo, Alister Cole is playing this year as well. May be a top team in the GTA this year, look out for them to do big things.
J.Clarke - Took a big hit losing 6 players from their roster 3 top player in the GTA. Returning Jaylen Babb-Harrison a very underated player in the GTA, look out for him. Couple transfers. Some talent though.
Notre Dame - Is Musa back? They have a good young squad, look out for them to surprise some teams.
Dunbarton - Apparently 2 great transfers, one from Alberta ? Don't sleep on them either.

Durham is looking well balanced this year, it's going to be a battle for the top spot

Exhibition Game at G.L. Roberts

Pine Ridge 78 (Jamal Reynolds 38) G.L. Roberts 63

G.L. Roberts has a pretty good team as well. They probably have the biggest front line in the GTA at 6ft-9, 6ft-6 and 6ft-4. I think they are certainly a preseason honourable mention team at least and serious threat at the OFSAA AA level.

Preseason TOP Ten

1.) Pickering Trojans (eight time LOSSA AAAA Champs )
Lost Damion Rashford (Prep School), Asher Tulloch Lewis (St. Mary's University, Nova Scotia) However, they are the perenial Durham Champs and still are until some other school finally dethrones them in the LOSSA AAAA playoffs. No one can question their dominance since they always find a way to win. They aren't the best team on paper, but, you gotta beat the champ first to take the crown.

2.) Anderson Raiders (2011 OFSAA AAA Champs)
Lost Justin Edwards to graduation (University of Maine), but still features one of the top players in the GTA and in Canada as well in Dyshawn Pierre.
If anybody watched him against Denison in the OFSAA final, he single handedly beat them in the Gold medal game. He is a night mare match up and commands a great deal of attention out on the court. His strong play gets quality shots for the other players.

3.) Pine Ridge Pumas (2011 LOSSA Semi-finalist-lost to Pickering)
They're the best team on paper in the Durham region. The team features Jamal Reynolds,widely considered the best player in the region at the QUAD level.
They've added some scoring punch with junior star Chase Vassell moving up and Alistair Cole (Transfer from Notre Dame-Ajax) who is eligible to play this season after sitting out last year. Also, the team has improved a lot internally. Still could add Haboubacar Mutombo, but, presently he is not there.

4.) G.L. Roberts Lakers (2011 LOSSA AA Champs)
G.L Roberts is an underrated team, but, this year will be their coming out party. This team is athletic, well coached and has a huge front line. Their size and Zone Defense will give a lot of teams trouble this year. G.L. Robert's unique style of play will give many teams match up night mares.

5.) J Clarke Richardson Storm (2011 OFSAA 4th place finishers)
J Clarke will take a step back this year due to the graduation losses of Aaron Redpath (Mcmaster University), Leon Alexander (Iowa Central Community College) and Tyrelle Samuels (Community College in Alberta)
Still features Jaylen Bobb Harrison and will get some help from some transfer players.

6.) Notre Dame Cougars (2011 LOSSA Quarter finalists)
Musa King is back from Prep School in the Arizona and should provide some size and scoring . They are returning a solid core group of players and should get some help from Junior star Davion Parnsalu (I think I spelled it right)

7.) Dunbarton Spartans (2011 LOSSA Semi Finalist-lost to J Clarke Richardson)
Lost some scoring punch in Shaq Shaw, but picked up a star player in Jordan Whyte. He is regarded as the best player in the city of Calgary and one of the best players in the province of Alberta. Also, has some good Junior players moving up from TOP TEN GTA Junior team.

8.) Ajax Rams
A disciplined and well coached team and also has a talented junior team moving up as well.

9.) Dennis O'Connor
This team features one of the best players in the province in Aguna Okolie. He is one of the best kept secrets in GTA Basketball. A dominant post player that is garnering a lot of attention from American Universities.

10.) St. Marys Monarchs
Has a good group of Junior players moving up to the senior level. The team features star track athlete Tacuma Anderson.

I heard that Bailey Burton has transferred from JCR to Pickering and will sit out this year.

that does not suprise me. JCR junior team was very bad, and this could of turned him off

Is there any supporting players at Anderson?

I think Pine Ridge should be number 2.

1) Pickering - Always has a good program They will be contenders. No one can question their dominance

2) Pine Ridge - with Jamal Reynolds , Alister Cole and their cast they will be a top contender in Durham Region. The team has improved a lot internally

3) Notre Dame- Very Strong Junior Team Moving Up like players like Davion Parnsalu and Osahon Eghosa moving up and with Musa King back they can make alot of noise in the Region

Top 3 for AAAA

So as it seems looks like there are going to be some good battles this year. Which teams do you see would have the best games

I agree with tart11-who else does Anderson have?
They had legit D1 players who carried that team. They had a fabulous run last year. Pierre is a beast! I think Huthcrof is still there, but as we seen in the past, his offense comes from Pierre-he cant create anything on his own. Who else in Durham will challenge them at the AAA level?
At the AAAA level Pickering and Pineridge....that's it! JC Richardson had athletes who did there thing for the past few years, but when you are not structured and free to do what you want you will never beat a more disciplined team who also has athletic talent. Great run mind you for JC-but with that talent and not have a LOSSA gold medal to show for it. They were simply outcoached in that last game last year.
At the AA level-GL Roberts-nobody else. They are suppose to be HUGE-but heard they lost 2 of their backcourt scorers. That will hurt them. They will be disciplined and will play within their strengths.
As far as OFSAA Medals from the Durham Region-We will soon find out!
Any thoughts?

So it looks like there is no dominate team this year in Durham. Any team is beatable and could have some upsets

Preseason and Exhibition Games

1) Pickering Trojans (lost to Vaughn Voyageurs S.S. 52-32 at the GM Centre)
2) Anderson Raiders (didn't play)
3) Pine Ridge Pumas (defeated G.L. Roberts on the road 78-63)
4) J Clarke Storm (defeated G.L. Roberts at the GM Centre 61-54)
5) Notre Dame Cougars (didn't play)
6.) Dunbarton Spartans (defeated G.L. Roberts on the road 67-59)
7.) G.L. Roberts Lakers (lost to Pine Ridge 78-63, J Clarke 61-54, Dunbarton 67-59)
8.) Ajax Rams (didn't play)
9) Dennis O'Connor (didn't play)
10) St. Mary's (didn't play)

Exhibition game @ G.L. Roberts

Dunbarton 67 G.L. Roberts 59

Big Cat Championship Final (in Richmond Hill)

G.L. Roberts 47 Dunbarton 33

1) Pickering Trojans ( defeated GTA # 2 Henry Carr, Lost to GTA #1 Vaughn)
2) Anderson Raiders (did not play)
3) Pine Ridge Pumas (next game on Fri. at Pinky Lewis Tourney in Hamilton)
4) J Clarke Richardson Storm ( lost to GTA #1 Vaughn 72-63 and St. Pats)
5) Notre Dame Cougars (did not play)
6) G.L. Roberts (Lost to and beat Dunbarton in Big Cat Final 47-33)
7) Dunbarton Spartans (Beat and lost to G.L. Roberts Lakers)
Ajax Rams (did not play)
9) Dennis O Connor (did not play)
10) St. Mary's Monarchs (did not play)

Dunbarton is looking really good, played very well at the Big Cat tournament. They had a couple of big men that played exceptionally well. Number 24 playing very well for them playing well on both ends, and they're starting pf as well. The big men basically carrying the team. Hassan Phills played good as well. I'm telling you folks dont sleep on Dunbarton they have some young talent that could shock the GTA especially with the Alberta boy waiting anxiously to play. Also if the big men keep playing as good as they have and, If number 24 gets bigger with the skill he has they can be real scary team.

It would be nice to see other teams compete against Pickering High this coming season, but very unlikely this will happen. Each year we hear the same wave of optimism from a number of teams, and each year we end with the same result. Im not sure how many straight championships they have won in the Durham Region, 5 6 7 8 9 ?????
Pineridge looks to be their best competition this year. Things could change if Dunbartons recruit is eligible for action. Any word on this?

Well, Pickering has been a powerhouse team for a long time. Since being a good school for the past years they have a really good program which attracts players to that school. As you said Pineridge is looking great, with Jamal Reynolds leading the pack. If Dunbartons recruit is eligible I see them being a really good team, and maybe we can see something different this year, especially if Pineridge continues to play they way they are

I believe Pickering are the Eight time LOSSA AAAA Senior Boy Champions. It is simple....they have the best players and they work harder than the other teams in Durham. That's why they win! Maybe J Clarke, Dunbarton, Notre Dame or Pine Ridge can change that this year. However, these teams have to work harder than Pickering and that is a difficult task if you're not use to being in the winner's circle.

Last team to win the LOSSA Championship other than Pickering was the St. Mary's Monarchs in 2003. They beat Pine Ridge in the final that year at Durham College by 5 and Mike Gordensky was coaching the Monarchs.

is Mike gorendsky no longer coaching Pickering??

yeah, where is Gord? he wasn't at the Carr tourny, was he?

suspended? (last year's controversy?) --> I have no actual clue, just takening a guess

Gordo is not coaching Pickering this year. Kirk Salesman, Nkosi Adams, Khari Ashley and Kirk Miller are coaching the PHS Senior Team.

Lossa AAA is going to be very interesting to watch this year, with 2 elite level talents going head to head.

Anderson looks to be the top contender this year behind a seemingly unstoppable Dyshawn Pierre. This team is significantly weaker than the team that won it all last season. Pierre lost Justin Edwards (who is currently averaging 22.0 ppg with the Maine Black Bears) The raiders have a lot of young players, but are significantly lacking depth. Anderson's number 2 is Jacob Hutchcroft, a guard who has played along Pierre and Edwards for many years...and it shows. Hutchcroft is a player who can knock down the wide open 3. Aside from that he is very average in every other area. Anderson is relying on Pierre's improvement this summer to make up for the loss of Edwards and other key role players. If Dyshawn is contained, Anderson will not win, they simply don't have enough solid players to support Pierre to overcome a poor performance on his part.

Dennis O'Connor will challenge Anderson the most this upcoming year. Agunwa Okolie (verbal commitment to Harvard) is debatably the most athletic player in the class of 2012. He is just about the only player who has a chance of slowing down Pierre. Lossa fans are fortunate to have the chance to watch these 2 go head to head twice during the season, and likely again in the finals. If Agunwa and DOC can slow down Pierre (I say slow down, because stopping is nearly impossible without getting him in serious foul trouble) then they have a shot at dethroning Anderson for the first time in 3 years.

Aside from those two schools, the rest of the field seems to be quite weak.

Henry Street is probably the number 3 competitor behind the skill of big man Matt Chesson, but he will struggle against Agunwa and Dyshawn. Chesson could be the dark horse this year and should not be ruled out. He scored 30+ versus DOC last year if I recall correctly. Henry street is always quite weak, but don't rule them out, if Chesson can get going, they might be able to make some noise.

The number 4 here is likely Holy Trinity. Trinity made a solid push last season but lost many of their key players this year. their big man Akil Goodridge and their speedy point guard Earl Anderson have presumably moved on.Without them, trinity is going to rely on the guard play of Tyler Miehm. Miehm is the definition of a chucker, yet, he finds ways to win. This kid looks for shot first,shot second, and shot third. Trinity breeds athletes and they can steal a lot of games with their intensity and hustle. If Miehm is rolling, he's a threat, he's one dimensional, but he's a threat.Trinity could easily move to the number 3 spot, but I can't see this team beating Anderson or DOC.

From here, its anybody's race.The only noteable is Father Leo J Austin out of Whitby. In past years Austin has found ways to win and have come very close to upsetting the power house Anderson Raiders. Give this team and their coach credit. No matter who they have had on their roster, they have competed and made noise. In past years they had depth and were able to stick with teams through hustle, outside shooting and smart guard play. Last year they challenged Anderson but lost by single digits in the semi finals. They relied heavily on their point guard,Whitby Wildcat, Christian Aliamo (my apologies if spelling is wrong). Aliamo was not much of a scorer, but he knew how to run that team.This year, he is gone, and so is his court vision and press breaking ability. If Austin gets pressured, they could get blown out every game. But, hey, they've proved people wrong many times before, maybe it will happen again.

An upset is certainly a possibility in this region...but who am I kidding...who DOESNT want to see Agunwa and Pierre going toe to toe for the title?

I'd put Maxwell Heights at Number 3. They lost to Denis O'Connor by 4 and beat Henry Street. They're a solid team.

3A LOSSA:
1. I Think Maxwell Heights can beat Denis O'Connor, I can smell an upset in 3A LOSSA

2. Anderson will win 3A LOSSA no guarntee, and Dyshawn Pierre will avg about 40 ppg in the league season

2A LOSSA:

- GL Roberts will win 2A for sure, they will be slapping 2A teams by margin of 60+ points, very underrated team.