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The Thomas Report Released

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If the Pickering Trojans win OFSAA in March handily and I think they will, it will be interesting to see where they rank with the great teams post 1960. Some past teams really stick out in my mind like the great WD Lowe teams of the late 1970's, the WF Herman H. S. and Runnymede H. S. teams of the 80's. Eastern Commerce H. S. 95-96 and the other great Eastern teams from 2002-2005 also had great runs of more than two consecutive titles. I have seen all of these teams play over the years and if Pickering wins they will rank right up there with the best in Ontario history. They in my estimation have five D1 talents on their squad in Juevol Myles, Dwayne Smith, Jonathon Tull, Devoe and Corey Joseph and Justin Wiltshire, who projects as a strong Division II player. Maybe it was a good thing the Cathedral Gaels woke them up at the University of Western Ontario "Purple & White" tournament back in late December.

Why is the OBA having tryouts across the province for their Under-17 and 15 provincial teams in February while the high school season is in full swing? Why not wait until March when the high school season is over before beginning tryouts? Kids have enough distractions already with the encroachment of club ball and club practices during the high school season as well. Personally I'd like to see a moratorium on any club ball and OBA activity with high school age players right across the province. The OBA has six months to identify talent and get ready for the Canada games in August. The executives at the OBA should be leading the charge to leave the high school season alone instead of adding to the problem.

THE RECRUITING TRAIL

The Queen's Golden Gaels are chasing hard after 6'7" centre Tim Nedow from Thousand Island H. S. in Brockville. Nedow is very athletic and tough with a good skill package. He apparently has the marks to get into Queen's and is the best big man out of Eastern Ontario, from Kingston to the Quebec border, in a very long time.

The Carleton Ravens have locked up two of Ottawa's best high school players in Kyle Smendziuk 6'5" and Anthony Ash 6'5" and have really gone after Adam Folker 6'8" from Markham District H. S. and Justin Boutillier 6'6" from Niagara Falls AN Myer H. S.

Scott Laws, the 6'4" swing man from Newmarket's Sacred Heart H. S. has visited the University of Toronto, McMaster and Western over the past month. He will visit out of province schools Calgary and Victoria in the spring.

Tshing Kasamba wrote a great SAT score and is now fully qualified. He is being heavily recruited by Ohio Division II school Ashland University and will garner more Division I interest from south of the border come spring.

Look for the McMaster Marauders to lock up blue chip forward Cam Michaud 6'7" from Grimsby H. S. by the spring. Michaud and his family have an excellent relationship with the McMaster coaching staff and freshman guard Tyrell Vernon.

The University of Windsor are working very hard to bring Steve Priolo, John Corbacio and Justin Boutillier to their campus next year.

Andrew Lalonde the best guard in the Sudbury area has committed to new Laurentian coach Shawn Swords and should get heavy minutes in the Voyageurs back court as a rook.

London St. Thomas Aquinas H. S. big man Jeremy Trader 6'7" will play football for the Mustangs next season as a tight end. Trader was heavily sought after for both basketball and football by many CIS schools.

Waterloo Sir John A McDonald H. S. forward Justin Thomas 6'4" will return for a fifth year of high school even though he has excellent marks and his game is CIS ready.

Windsor Catholic H. S. power forward Tyrone Crawford 6'5" will go the junior college route next year. Although he is a superb basketball player, he is the best football prospect in the country. He has interest for football from most of the Big Ten Conference.

Yours in basketball,

Jim Thomas

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