CISHoops.ca, the best web site covering Canadian basketball, has been dormant since mid-March. The reason is that webmaster Mark Wacyk's wife delivered their fourth child in early April and Mark is devoting the spring and summer to spending more time with his family. We in the basketball community would like to congratulate Mark and his wife on the recent addition to his growing family. Here's hoping Mark will resume covering CIS basketball in September when the new season rolls around. His efforts on behalf of basketball in this country are sorely missed but his many fans can easily understand that family comes first.

There seems to be lots of unexpected turmoil in several basketball programs in the AUS this summer. My sources tell me 6'7" freshman Islando Toledo is leaving St. Francis Xavier University to return to play basketball in the United States. The Brazilian import was one of the best freshman in Canada last year. St. Mary's University reportedly will have to replace 6'1" freshman Shane Morrison and 6'6" Aaron Duncan who both washed out of the Halifax school academically. Acadia University has already lost guard Andrew Krause who will likely transfer to Brandon university next year. AUS 2007 player of the year, Paulo Santana is also reported to be leaving Acadia as well. This is a huge turnover in talent for three of the top programs in the AUS. Look for all three programs to be beating the bushes for adequate replacements prior to school starting in September.

Pickering HS guard Corey Joseph will look at several prep schools south of the border this summer including Findley Prep in Las Vegas. Corey, who will enter grade twelve in September has already won two OFSAA gold medals with the Trojans. He is highly ranked with many of the big American scouting services.

Hamilton Cathedral combo-guard Tyrone Watson 6'4" will likely head south to a prep school this summer as well. He is hoping to attend a prep school in New England. South Kent Prep in Connecticut is very interested in his services for next year as well.

Former Cathedral H. S. forward Kyle Mayers 6'5" is being recruited by Division II schools in the New England area as well. Mayers visited Massachusetts-Lowell University early in June.

Ryerson University has commitments from point guards Josh Budd from Timmons and Afewerki Gedrekerestos 6'2" from St. Patrick's H. S. in Ottawa. Budd was one of the best lead guards in Ontario last year and Gedrekerestos is a superb outside shooter. Both should see major minutes in the Rams back court next season.

The Waterloo Warriors have a sleeper prospect coming to their campus in September in 6'5" forward Mike Glibota from Sault Ste. Marie's St. Basil's H. S. He will enroll in engineering at Waterloo after only three years of high school. He is an A+ student in the classroom and is only sixteen years old. He will see limited minutes for the Warriors this season but will be a real find for coach Kieswetter after he gains some experience.

NEDA lead guard Evaldas Zabas 6'1" who was a sensation at the Houston Kingswood Tournament in April is still struggling to get through the clearing house academically. He may go the junior college route next year or explore some professional basketball opportunities in his native Lithuania.

Mississauga Mount Carmel H. S. forward Jordan Henry 6'4" a five year starter for the Crusaders, will attend Humber College next year. The powerful athletic Henry should be one of the top rookies in the OCAA next year.

Michael Hall 6'1" one of the best guards in Peel Region senior basketball in the 2006/07 season will attend Sheridan College in Brampton next year. Hall sat out last year and worked prior to deciding to return to school.

Ottawa A. Y. Jackson point guard Anthony Hinds 6'0" and teammate Dennis Deresovic 6'5" will attend hometown Algonquin College. Hinds will spend a few years at Algonquin before going onto University.

Look for several OUA West teams to get involved with Hamilton St. Mary's point guard Zach Angus who had a superb spring leading his Blessed Sacrament club team to the OBA title in late May. Angus is highly coveted by Guelph and Western and it will be interesting to see if the McMaster Marauders let him get out of town without a fight.

The McMaster Marauders are showing lots of interest in St. Thomas More H. S. power forward Ryan Christie who has huge upside for a CIS school because of his superb athletic ability and advanced skill set. Some schools will be turned off by his immaturity on the floor but Christie is the classic high-risk, high-reward type of recruit. If he matures over the next two years he could be a dominant CIS player in the mold of Acadia's Leonel Santis.

Oakville Holy Trinity H. S. forward Jahmal McQueen will enroll at summer school to complete academic requirements to get into the University of Toronto. McQueen has looked outstanding in scrimmages with the U of T varsity team and coach Mike Katz is excited by his potential.

Brampton Edmund Campion H. S. forwards Brandon Ennis 6'4" and Ante Cosic 6'6" have spent the spring looking into junior college opportunities south of the border. They will decide soon between Monroe JC in Rochester NY and Vincennes JC in Indiana. Both are three year starters at Campion and led their team to the OFSAA Quad "A" quarter-finals last March.

Toronto Laurier high school point guard Marcel Hyde will enroll at Acadia University this fall. He was one of the best point guards in the Toronto area this past winter.

Yours in basketball,

Jim Thomas

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