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On January 9th, Bedford Road Collegiate in Saskatoon will host the 55th annual BRIT tournament. In my opinion, this is the best tournament in Western Canada, as it routinely showcases the top teams from the region and provides a great snapshot of how they match up against each other. Last year, Walter Murray became the first Saskatchewan team to win since Leboldus from Regina achieved the feat in 2015, defeating Holy Cross in the finals. The tournament annually showcases some of the best teams from Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba. In previous years, teams from Ontario, Nova Scotia, Australia, and the United States have participated, and this year will see the return of a team from Quebec. This year's competition will include four top-ten teams from Saskatchewan, the number two team from Alberta 4A, a top-five team from Alberta 3A, and two teams from Alberta vying for rankings in the next set of Alberta rankings. Additionally, there will be a top-ten preseason team from British Columbia and a top-three team from Manitoba. This tournament is unique because, despite Bedford Road not being a basketball powerhouse, the school and the city fully support the event. It is not unusual to see people waiting 45 minutes in line to get into the gym, even though it is typically -30°C that weekend in Saskatoon. Students create large artistic murals for every team, the concession stand is excellent, and dance studios from around the city provide halftime entertainment that sometimes outshines the basketball games. I strongly recommend tuning in to the link at the end of this article. Over the years, this tournament has featured incredible talent, and this year will be no exception. It will feature players that coaches from all levels will want to see. West Vancouver Highlanders (Vancouver, BC) Preview by Esher Sira - British Columbia based Scout for The Maple Minute Reigning from Vancouver’s North Shore, the West Vancouver Highlanders will march down to Saskatchewan for the 2025 BRIT tournament. The Highlanders are a storied program led by Historic Coach Paul Eberhardt, who has over 40 years of coaching experience at the college and high school levels. Eberhardt has made many provincial runs, including finishing fourth in the province last season. Calvin Kuzyk is the heartbeat of this team, an explosive guard who has the ability to score the ball at all 3 levels. Kuzyk was a key member of last season's provincial run finishing as one of the top ten scorers in the province. The Highlanders feature a balanced squad with 6”3 combo guard Cassius Gregorian and deep-range threat Jordan Jessop. Rounding up the squad with rebounding and defense is 6”5 forward Atila Vadaei who makes an impact on both sides of the floor.  Bedford Road Redhawks (Saskatoon, SK) The Redhawks are entering their home tournament with a record of 2-8. They started the season on a high note, finishing third at the BOWLT Classic in Saskatoon, but have struggled to secure wins in league play and at the C4 tournament since then. The team is led by two Grade 12 players: 5'9" guard Guillermo Rodriguez and 6'3" wing Jett Sampson. St Joseph Guardians (Saskatoon, SK) The Guardians enter the tournament with an 8-3 record and are ranked #5 in the Maple Minute Saskatchewan rankings. They have participated in two tournaments, winning the Carleton Invitational in Prince Albert and finishing as runners-up in their home tournament, where they lost in the finals to Holy Cross. The Guardians have several players that coaches should pay attention to. Grade 12 guard 5'10" Nemo Arnold leads their offensive efforts, while 6'5" Grade 12 wings Demi Akinmoyero and Raph Ewejobi have attracted interest from various coaches in the ACAC and USport. Another standout prospect is 6'5" wing Mayo Alabi, who has been aggressively attacking the rim this season. Additionally, Kaiden MacAngus is an intriguing prospect in the backcourt. Brooks Buffalos (Brooks, AB) The Buffalos were a crowd favorite at BRIT last year and hope to make an impact this year. They are undefeated this season having only been able to play in 1 tournament so far which they easily won. Being a 3A team from Alberta, they do not get regular games against higher competition that they hope to get. This team has seven grade 12s returning and a player returning home after several years in Ontario. They are long and athletic and attack the rim relentlessly. 6'2 "Grade 12 guard Marin Lual and 6'2" Timothy Alalimi are the team's leaders and just two of several players USport and CCAA coaches will want to tune in to see. We will also keep an eye on grade 11s 6'3 "Manyoun Dishol and 6'7" Athian Madut. Holy Cross Crusaders (Saskatoon, SK) The Crusaders are undefeated this season, boasting a 7-0 record and holding the #1 spot in the Maple Minute Saskatchewan rankings. They have only won their tournament so far, the Guardian Invitational at St. Joe's in Saskatoon. An exciting and telling matchup awaits them against #2 Walter Murray on the Tuesday before BRIT. As expected for the top team in the province, the Crusaders are loaded with prospects that coaches should keep an eye on. Grade 12 player Kian Tyson is a 6'6" guard who has been drawing significant interest from teams on both sides of the border and has delivered spectacular performances at BRIT over the past two years. Another Grade 12 player, 6'3" guard Moe Osman, has received offers from several USport schools. The final Grade 12 on the team is 6'0" guard Goloom Bein, a skilled shooter that CCAA schools should monitor closely. Beyond the Grade 12 players, the Crusaders also have their defensive ace, 6'1" Grade 11 point guard Raph Montugulo, who shows great potential for USport. Additionally, they have Grade 10 guard Lucien Tyson, known for his ability to score quickly off the bench. Magrath Zeniths (Magrath, AB) The Zeniths enter BRIT with a record of 5 wins and 4 losses. They began the season by participating in the Cardston Classic and the Raymond Sugar Bowl, achieving a notable victory over the Cardston Cougars, who are ranked #3 in Alberta. Magrath plays at a fast pace, excels in shooting, and has extensive experience in high-pressure games. The team is starting to find its rhythm, especially with the recent return of two key players, Seth Harding and Max Smith, who were significantly affected by injuries at the beginning of the season. Eli Steed, Westin Balderson, and Max Smith make up a dynamic trio for the team. This combination offers a well-balanced mix of shooting, playmaking, and effective play around the rim. The Zeniths are currently in a rebuilding phase while also aiming to win now. Archbishop O'Neill Titans (Regina, SK) The Titans enter the Christmas break with an 8-4 record and are currently ranked #10 in the Maple MInute Saskatchewan rankings. They won their home tournament to open the year and then traveled to Calgary, AB, to play in the Nelson Mandela tournament, where they were 3-1 for a third-place finish. They will have one more league game before traveling to Saskatoon for BRIT. They will enter BRIT having just lost 6'6 grade 12 big man Cher Madol who has transferred to Victory Rock Prep in Tampa, Florida. They will now be counting on 5'10 grade 12 point guard Kylan Wol-Harden and 6'4 wing Anaias Castillo both players CCAA coaches will want to keep an eye on. 5'11 Grade 10 point guard Lincoln Dickson will be one to watch all weekend, he will be up next for the Titans with the departure of Madol. St Francis Xavier Rams (Edmonton, AB) Preview by Harrison Paulichuk -  Alberta based Scout for The Maple Minute The Rams head into the BRIT with an outstanding season record of 13-1. They have won two out of their first three tournaments so far including the Sugar Bowl and the Mike Dea Classic and only lost by five in the finals of the REB. This team earned a silver medal in the Alberta 4A provincials last year and looks just as dominant at the start of their 2024/25 campaign. FX prides themselves on their hustle and defense year after year and has a team full of players that can shut down even the best offensive stars. This group for the Rams has several players to keep an eye on heading into the tournament for scouts and coaches alike. The most athletic prospect out there is 6’5 Nathan Yamba-Yamba. A forward who can score from all three levels and uses his size and reach to lock down players in the paint and on the perimeter. Their 6’6 Grade 12 Centre, Aleks Popovic controls the paint and has the size and strength to outmatch most opponents. Their main ball handler is 5’10 guard Elijah Thomas, who can score through any defense and also create space for his teammates. This group may not be filled with high flyers or crazy athletes, but they play a great brand of basketball and are a must watch team. Kildonan East Reivers (Winnipeg, MB) Preview by Elliot Russenholt - Manitoba based Scout for The Maple Minute The 2024-2025 campaign for KEC is still in its early stages, but they have already started strong with a 2-0 record in league play. The team features a mix of returning key players from last season and new talent. Leading the squad are two promising underclassmen: 6’5” sophomore guard Terry Ogbeide and 6’8” junior forward Settimo Yugu. Ogbeide is an athletic force when attacking the rim, consistently looking to finish strong against any help defender trying to protect the basket. His strength and solid ball-handling skills enable him to reach the rim effectively. Yugu, on the other hand, has a long, wiry frame that he utilizes to create scoring opportunities for himself off the dribble from the perimeter. He can handle the ball, occasionally running the offense, and possesses the shooting range to score from long distance. Medicine Hat Hawks (Medicine Hat, AB) The Hawks basketball team competes in the highly competitive Alberta 4A Boys South Zone, a league known for its intense competition. After claiming the South Zone title last year, the team aims to continue its success this season, despite being largely composed of young and inexperienced players. Grade 12 player Ryder Parker, a 5'10" guard, is the only returning starter from last year's team. Despite a torn ACL sustained during football, Ryder has strengthened and rehabilitated his knee enough to play. He is one of the team's best defensive players, demonstrating resilience through his injury. Another key player, Grade 12 Ira Hozack, is a 6'4" athletic forward and one of the team's best rebounders. He has signed with the University of Calgary to play football. Hayden Van Marrion, a 5'10" point guard, is currently leading the team in scoring, assists, and rebounds. Additionally, two up-and-coming Grade 10 players to watch are 5'11" Lado Pitia, a shifty scorer, and 6'5" Jaxton Studer, an athletic big man. Walter Murray Mauraders (Saskatoon, SK) The Mauraders have a 5-2 record after suffering a tough loss to the host Ross Sheppard Thunderbirds in Edmonton at the Totem Classic. They are currently ranked #2 in the Maple Minute Saskatchewan rankings but have a rematch with Holy Cross just 2 days before BRIT. Murray is loaded with intriguing prospects that coaches will want to keep an eye on. Of course, we can't talk about them without first mentioning 6'1 "grade 11 Guard Zach Hawley, who not only is shooting the lights out this season but also finishing above the rim and rebounding at a high rate. 6'1" Grade 12 guard Faisal Mahadi has taken on the role of lead guard and makes everything go for this team. He is drawing attention from USport and coaches south of the border. Murray also has a few up-and-coming prospects to watch. 6' grade 11 Guard Isak Larson is an excellent defender and shooter, 6' grade 10 guard Andrew Hawley can knock down shots from anywhere, and 6' 5' grade 11 big man Zach Mochoruk has been finding his stride early this season. Seminaire St Joseph Vert et Or (Trois Riviere, QC) The Vert et Or have participated in BRIT before, so they are familiar with the upcoming challenges. The team has started the season with a record of 1-3 in Quebec's Division 2 and recently attended a jamboree in New Hampshire, where they performed well. Many players on the team also participated in football, and they are gradually transitioning to the basketball season. Coaches will want to monitor several standout players, including grade 11 guards 5'11" Charles-Edouard Paille and 5'10" Eduard Chaput. Additionally, upcoming grade 10 forward 5'11" Zaac Bastarache is expected to excel throughout the tournament. BRIT is always an amazing tournament with players going on to compete at all levels. They do an outstanding job streaming and I highly recommend everyone tune in to games. (809) BRIT Basketball - YouTube Also, follow me on X as I will be at every game all 3 days highlighting teams and players to watch. www.twitter.com/@david_harmon

Written by Harrison Paulichuk Photo taken by Ludwig Bernardo Last year, Jasper Place put on an absolute show for their 40th anniversary Rebels Early Bird tournament, so naturally, 41 had to live up to its predecessor. Thanks to a fully loaded draw which included two teams from the States, three from across the country, and a final that ended up being a rematch from the 4A Alberta Provincial finals last year (St Mays vs St FX), Jasper Place delivered! This was an incredible spectacle just as last year was, and I was incredibly thankful to be a part of this year's 41st Anniversary REB.   For those who read the article last year, the format will be the same and just as stocked with incredibly talented athletes. I will have three "All Tournament" teams which will feature five athletes on each. Highlighting only the top fifteen athletes from a tournament of this calibre was no easy task. So many players made a case to get on a team, but unfortunately, I could only choose the best of the best. While I will mention some of these players' past performances in this article, no past notes or opinions impacted who made these teams. These players made their respective teams based strictly on their play throughout the final two days of the tournament that I was scouting. I was there for twelve hours on both days of the tournament, and to make it fair, I viewed each team twice. With that being said, I unfortunately had no time to get around and make any solid scouting notes on the girls or JV side of the draw. This is a massive tournament and I covered as much as I could from the guys' side of the draw. I would much rather get good solid notes on one bracket than some vague quick opinions on every team out there. These teams do not discriminate against players based on their team’s performance either. A team being on the bottom half of the bracket should be a reflection of the team as a whole, not of individual athletes on that team. I cared about consistency for these all-tournament teams. If a player showed a spark over one or two stretches but couldn't keep it up, I would make note of it, but would not consider them. Rather, the ones who were chosen had to display exceptional play consistently throughout both their Friday and Saturday games. These athletes also had to include at least a passable defensive ability. Any player who went out and gave their team 20+ points but allowed twice as many defensive breakdowns didn't even get a consideration from me for these awards. The third most important trait for a player is what they did off the ball. Were they able to effectively play a role, run a play, and make a difference on the court every time they stepped on the court no matter what they were doing? These are the traits that make a winning difference on a team, and if done at an elite level can get players recruited to a post-secondary institution.   All-REB First Team The players who were able to earn a bid to call themselves all-tournament first-team players were the best of the best throughout the REB. They imposed themselves on both ends of the floor and made themselves stand out amongst the herd of athletes that I saw in two days of basketball. These are the athletes who played like the best athletes in the tournament. This is written in no order in particular so just because one player is listed first, doesn't mean that they are better or worse than the player next to them. These were all great athletes and imposed themselves on the game more than anyone else in the tournament. They were able to get buckets, defend and show how well they knew the game on the highest of stages. All of these players stood out to me and made it hard for anyone to ignore their incredible play throughout this elite-level early-bird tournament.   #3 | Jacob McLellan | 6'4 | G | St Mary's | C/O 2026 The first player on here is one of the only players on this list that left this tournament with the REB championship trophy. From Calgary, Jacob McLellan was the grade 12 captain of St. Mary's. The way McLellan charged to the paint with a combination of both force and finesse again and again, finishing through almost anyone who got in his way was a joy to watch. McLellan wasn't afraid of anything when he was out on the court in Edmonton this weekend. He kept such a confident composure while he sliced through defences, could embrace contact, and still put the ball through the hoop with some of the most athletic moves I've seen at this level. A sound strategy against a slasher as tough as this would be to make them shoot though right? Not with McLellan. Whether he was way outside the three-point line or making a pretty turnaround jumper just outside the paint, this guy could score the ball from anywhere on the court and it's no wonder he led his team to a victory in a game that could have gone either way. This kid is a true three-level scorer and was able to not only score in volume but also was willing and able to do what his team needed to win the game. He showed so much heart and hustle out on the court that led directly to scoring opportunities many times. His hustle and intensity were showcased on the defensive end many times. McLellan’s 6 '4 stature and athletic build allowed him to maneuver seamlessly through the defensive positions. In a finals game where his teammate was the one who was feeling it offensively, McLellan was comfortable spacing the floor and distributing the ball rather than getting his own. This guy is a true hooper with a skill set that could translate to any situation that he finds himself in.   #3 | Elijah Thomas | 5'10 | PG | St FX | C/O 2027 On the other end of the finals matchup was an elite prospect in St FX's Elijah Thomas —an athlete with a similar playstyle to McLellan. Thomas has a phenomenal IQ and ability to control the pace of the game. Having this ability and skill in only eleventh grade is a great sign for the future of the Rams as having someone like this run your offence is invaluable. Besides that, his heads-up vision and ability to manipulate the ball both down the lane and at the rim, allowed him to create tons of looks for himself and occasionally dish it off to an open teammate if he found an opening. It was evident that he worked on his shooting in the offseason which took his game to the next level. This was a skill that was not as strong for him in the past, and in a finals game that was neck and neck, he hit two dagger threes from deep to keep them in the game. On the other end of the floor, Thomas was often left to defend the opposing team's main offensive threat on the perimeter and at only 5 '10 he answered the call as well as anyone could. His elite lateral movement and footspeed for his size led to many defensive stops on the ball. When he was off ball his defensive IQ to cut off lanes forced many turnovers for the opposing team. The combination of both offensive consistency and defensive discipline from a younger point guard is something that you don't come by often at this level. He stood out as one of the best players in this tournament and still having two seasons left in high school, his growth is going to be something you may want to watch. I know I will be.   #10 | T arun Saroya | 6'5 | G | Kelowna Secondary | C/O 2026 The next prospect stood out as one of the most well-rounded players at the REB this year. This player came out last year with Kelowna Secondary as well but did not make any of my all-tournament teams. For his senior year, Tarun Saroya made enough of an impact that no one could miss his incredible play on both ends of the court. As a 6 '5 guard Saroya was a ball hawk who found some way to get a hand in every possession; Whether it was a rebound, assist or score, he had his fingerprints all over the Owls gameplan. He showed elite-level rebounding skills and was always crashing the glass hard, often outrebounding big men or people who outsized him. Saroya showed a level of effort and intensity that was awesome to watch and it came through on the defensive end of the court as well. I can't count the number of times that he positioned himself into the right place at the right time and was able to pick off a pass or would come over on help defence and pressure someone on ball with the possession ending in a bad shot or a block. The game sense and IQ on this kid was phenomenal on both ends. It never felt like he had to force anything offensively and was able to let the game come to him and take what he could get. With this said, he could also shoot the lights out from beyond the arc. Being a tall lanky guard with a high release point made him almost impossible to contest. Having someone like Saroya on your lineup creates a nightmare matchup for any team to play against.   #7 | Lucas Tan-Ngo | 5'10 | G | Vancouver College | C/O 2027 Sticking to West Coasters for the fourth addition to the All-REB first team, this player had to be the best defender in the whole tournament. Lucas Tan-Ngo from Vancouver College may not have been on everyone's radar but immediately stood out to me as a defensive stopper. A 6'0  guard who plays big and makes scoring impossible for any matchup that tries to take him on. Quick foot speed and a truly elite ability to read opponents made this kid a fast-break killer on multiple occasions over the weekend. With an athletic build and an ability to block shots and steal the ball, this kid might have been the smartest defender in the whole tournament. Besides a truly elite defensive skill set, Tan-Ngo was a knockdown shooter from the perimeter. Every time the Fighting Irish called his number he was there, especially in clutch situations when the game was tight. Regardless of where the defence was, this kid needed no room at all to get a shot off and put three on the board. If the defence was closing in tight, then Tan-Ngo was very comfortable putting his head down and driving to the rim, looking to draw contact, which he did multiple times in the bronze medal game to fuel a small run against Mount Vernon. As an efficient, defensive beast, Tan-Ngo placed himself firmly on the first team after this weekend and I am sure he will have a great season out in BC this year.   #2 | Ta vien Tyler | 5'7 | G | Mount Vernon | C/O 2026 The last player on this team will be the first American I write about here. Mount Vernon from New York brought a very evenly dispersed group…besides their go-to option who stood high above the crowd, in his skill level that is. Coming in at 5'7 Tavien Tyler was a scoring machine all weekend putting up buckets in numbers. No one was able to effectively stop him as was able to get it going from anywhere on the floor with ease. He shot and made multiple threes from well beyond the three-point arc and took advantage of any space he was given. When the defence was smothering him, Tyler was great at creating enough separation to get a shot off against even the best of defenders. Whether it was a quick step back, a crossover into a drive to the hoop or a head fake into a give-and-go, this guy reminded me why basketball can be considered a form of art. With that in mind, his passing ability was another skill that stood out to me over the two games that I saw. He made himself such a threat as a scorer that it opened up the floor for his teammates. Whether defences doubled up and left a perimeter player open or he drove and found someone in the paint rolling to the rim, every pass he made, even off the dribble, was crisp and on point. Tyler is a smart player and though he can get his own from anywhere on the court, he was more than willing to share the rock and make his teammates around him better. All-REB Second Team   The second team is consistent with the next five players who stood out during the REB to me. Just because they didn’t make the first team doesn't mean that they are not good players. The first team had some truly elite performances on it. The second team guys were likely just as good talent-wise, just may not have shown as much as I wanted them to to earn a top bid. They may have just not had as good of a weekend, it happens to the best of athletes and is no knock on their overall talent. Remember that these teams were all tournament-based performance awards, not player skill tiers. The level of play that came out of this team is still elite, and after hearing about it, you will see why. I did not have an easy time differentiating all the athletes between their respective teams.    #9 | JW Wuor | 6'7 | C | All Saints | C/O 2026 The first player on this list will be a familiar name for those who read my piece last year. All Saints' JW Wuor made my ‘Got Next’ team last year and blew my expectations out of the water already this season. A 6 '7, super athletic, forward/Centre who can play on the perimeter with ease. Where else can you find a guy like that? One of the first plays I saw from him this weekend was a quick step back corner three at the buzzer that splashed in over the top of a defender. Being able to move like this does not come easy for most, especially a big man. While he may not have been as shifty as a guard, his ball handling was shifty and the way he moved combined with his length made shot creation look easy. No one could even come close to contesting his shot, especially from the perimeter. Besides his jumper, this is an athlete who shows his athleticism in multiple ways throughout a game. He can get up and poster someone, finish athletically around defense or just purely outsize people down low. With this size and athleticism, Wuor altered tons of shots down low and even on the perimeter. He could move effectively as an on-ball defender on the perimeter and could create opportunities for him or others to come in and steal the ball or pass as his wingspan would overwhelm most players when he was right up on them. With this type of defensive presence on the court, Wuor played as a defensive anchor most times and led some great defensive sequences that started a break for his team off of a forced turnover. His leadership qualities truly showed in times like this where he would play some true team ball and do what he could to win the game rather than forcing up bad shots to get his numbers up. After watching how much he developed in a season, I cannot wait to see what lies ahead for this guy's senior year.   #12 | Nathan Yamba-Yamba | 6'5 | F | St FX | C/O 2027 As far as potential goes, this next player quite possibly has the talent to be the best player in Alberta by the end of the season. Being only grade 11, Nathan Yamba-Yamba has shown how much of an impact player he can be when he is on the court. I saw him develop from last season to now, and he has already made a greater jump than I hoped he would. Within the first quarter of the Finals matchup, Yamba-Yamba had three blocked shots under the rim for St FX. These were not all the same player or situation either, one was a help defensive rotation, one was on the fast break and one was from him being the on-ball defender. As a 6'5 stretch forward, this guy may have been one of the best defensive players in the whole tournament. Fitting with the Ram's identity he possesses an elite ability to guard on the perimeter and a high defensive IQ for his age. Using his length he clogged lanes off the ball and cutting off sloppy passes with ease was a common occurrence for him this weekend. Typically these would lead to fastbreaks down the court and an easy transition basket for his team. When he wasn't playing elite defense he was finding ways to put the ball in the net on an elite level. This is the definition of a well-rounded athlete. He can score from anywhere he wants to. From deep I saw him hit more than a few threes from well beyond the arc. As a lanky forward, much like others I have mentioned, his jumper was nearly impossible to block and effectively contest. If he imposed himself more during the games I saw this weekend, Yamba-Yamba would have been a no-brainer to make the first team. When he wanted to, he could put the ball to the floor and drive to an easy bucket inside, or stop on a dime and pull up from either a three or mid-range jumper. An extremely deep bag for a player this age and the composure to use it, even when the game was on the line to get buckets. This kid will be a two-way player that you should get familiar with if you follow any Edmonton basketball.   #9 | Paul Omofoma | 6'5 | F |St Mary's | C/O 2026 The next player to earn a bid to the second team played against Yamba-Yamba in the finals and imposed himself on the game to allow St Mary's to come out front for the final buzzer of the 41st REB. Paul Omofoma , St. Mary's starting Center was an absolute force in the final game of the tournament. Grabbing a ton of offensive boards and getting much-needed second-chance points in a tight match proved to be invaluable. The sheer size at 6 '5 and the strength that he showed during the tournament made him a nightmare for even the toughest centers to guard. He made it his job to get out and rebound the ball all weekend, using his sheer size and athleticism to muscle his way into a ton of boards, offensively and defensively. I knew he was a big athletic guy, but I didn't realize how dominant he could be until the final when he decided to call his number again and again down low and take advantage of a team that had no answer for him. Whether he was taking a hard drive through contact and getting the call at the rim, putting a pretty post finish over traffic or just simply muscling through, Omofoma looked unstoppable. Defensively he was no slack either, when a guy of this size gets down low it clogs the paint and forces players into shots they normally wouldn't take. I watched him single-handedly shut down the opposing centers in both of his matchups during the final two games of the REB. This created such an advantage for the Saints whenever he was on the floor. Having a guy like this roaming the paint and then chasing hard for every rebound is every coach's dream for a grade 12 big man.   #11 | Lincoln Kosinski | 5'11 | SG | Jasper Place | C/O 2026 Now to switch gears for our next guy who was one of the standout shooters in this tournament. Jasper Place should be very familiar with this name as this is their very own, Lincoln Kosinski . Every time this kid got the ball I was sure he was going to make a shot no matter how far out he was. When the Rebels needed a bucket, they were calling on Kosinski. He was willing and able to make the room to find his shot where he was most comfortable on the floor. When he was hot there were sequences that I watched on multiple occasions when he single-handedly went on a run of a couple threes back to back with a drive to the hoop, creating a quick eight-point swing in just three possessions. When the ball wasn’t getting shot at a high clip by Kosinski, he could drive to the rim over and over again and use his tough finishing ability to create contact and draw a foul without missing a beat. Keeping his head up all while moving the ball made him a great on-ball general when the team needed him to slow things down. For a 5 '11 guard (The program had an error on this) to be this comfortable creating both space or contact whenever he wanted to is an elite skill to have and is one that allowed him to be a star whether the ball was in his hands or not. When the ball wasn't in his hands there wasn’t a second when he was standing around and just filling space. You could always see him either hustling to chase down loose balls, pick off lanes or moving to find an open look. This guy was a great teammate to have and someone who always fills whatever gap he needs to help his team thrive. Being one of the ones who made my “Got Next” team last year, I can say that I am very impressed with what an impact player has become as a senior in this Jasper Place squad.   #1 | Andres Garcia | 5'10 | G | Vancouver College |  C/O 2026 For the final addition to the second team, I want to introduce Vancouver College's starting point guard, Andres Garcia . This was a player who may not have been on many people's radar, but to me, was one of the biggest impact players in the tournament. He may not have been the flashiest of athletes out there, but he made his team better and was someone who did what he had to do at an elite level. Garcia is an extremely shifty 5'10 guard who was able to score consistently down the lane. Whether it was with a simple runner over the defence or a flashy reverse layup he always seemed to be the one to slow the game down from his team and get a bucket when they needed to get back on track. The scoring is just a small part of what Garcia brings to the table though. The ability to settle his team down when they need it and to go out and make the right play down the line whether this meant making a quick pass or taking it to the hoop when they were on a bad run is a sign of a type of leadership that you don't see often in high schoolers. Helping his team did not only come through his confident demeanour, he was also an elite passer off the dribble. While driving to the rim this guy could use the gravity of his drive to redirect the ball into an open player's arms and often created wide-open looks for his teammates. There were multiple times when he drove and found a look that I didn’t even think was there. When he got a look from outside he could get hot in a hurry as well. I saw a couple of runs where he made a couple of threes and quieted the opposition right away. In the bronze medal game, he hit back-to-back threes against a tough defensive team and made this look effortless. Not your typical all-star player but one who made an outstanding impact for his team. REB 'Got Next' Team   The third and final team that I've put together for the 41st REB is the ‘Got Next’ Team. This team consists of younger players who came out to the tournament and showed more than a little bit of potential. Most of these guys stood out to me in multiple ways and will be poised for a big jump next year or even earlier. Some of these athletes may have already shown flashes of elite-level gameplay for their squads. Like the other teams, making an immediate and visible impact for the team mattered, but the difference will be that these kids have another year or two in high school to sharpen these skills and expand their game even more. Lots of them were simply role players who were able to go on stretches that proved how high their ceiling could be. Two players from last year's ‘Got Next’ team are on the All-REB teams this season and others who were not in attendance at the REB this year that I have been following, and have become stars on their teams. For the sake of the name, these are the ones who have got next.   #13 | Bilal Ama | 6'7 | C/F | Ross Shepard | C/O 2028 The first time I saw this first prospect I assumed there was some kind of typo or error in the program. A 6'7 center who packs some size behind him and looks like a senior who spent all summer in the weight room. After talking to a few coaches I found out that this kid is only in grade 10, and goes by the name of Bilal Ama , from Ross Sheppard. A new addition to both this team, and the sport of basketball, he has only one season of experience under his belt but was already outmatching seasoned veteran big men down low both on the battle of the boards, and offensive/defensive matchups. Ama appeared to have a great athletic IQ and was able to not only use his size but could also create the right strong positioning for boards, especially on the offensive side of the ball. He had a good touch in the paint to finish big and strong through defences and could make even big guys look small. I was shocked at his ability to defend the ball as well. He had an athletic build and moved well in the post and laterally. Most big men are not so mobile when they are as big and strong as Ama. This led him to get many stops off guard who assumed they could break the big man and instead, hit a brick wall. From what I've heard, this kid is a workhorse, which means he will only get better from here. So the fact that he was turning heads already is an indictment of what kind of potential he has already. I can’t wait to see him once he gets another season under his belt.   #2 | Mayen Atem | 6'5 |  SF/G | All Saints | C/O 2027 The next athlete to make this team has high potential as a two-way player, but his defence is the thing that stood out to me in the first place. A lanky 6'5 point-forward with an eye for the game on defense. All Saints Mayen Atem was able to pick off lanes easily and even strip weaker guards right off the dribble with ease. This kid was a force out there defensively. As an eleventh grader, Atem had an eye for the game that was better than most. He could read defences and find lanes off the drive to create looks in the paint that he made look easy. Even when the game was on the line and his team was behind Atem would fearlessly take the ball inside and use a plethora of finishing moves in the paint. With a great handle on the ball and a high game IQ, this guy could create any look that he wanted off the dribble. He had an extremely tight grip on the ball as well when he was creating and seemed poised to be the premier playmaker for this team in the not-so-distant future as he always kept his head on a swivel even when he was slashing to the paint. These traits highlight what high potential a kid like this has. I was slightly disappointed to see him get kicked out of the final game of the REB this year for supposedly yapping too much early in the third. Times like these are where his maturity did show, but I believe this will come as a lesson and learning experience heading into the new year for him. With how much of a jump his teammate JW Wuor made from last year I have nothing but faith that Atem will follow this growth schedule and be a standout by next season. Atem has another year to develop and sharpen up his talents before he is a senior and can truly take the reins of the team.   #6 | Sammy Lagao| 6'0 | G | Bishop McNally | C/O 2027 For the next Calgary addition to this team, I wanted to introduce Sammy Lagao from Bishop McNally. Another player who looked much more composed on the court than most players his age. A 6 '0 guard with a great IQ and eye for the game defensively. This guy cut off so many lanes off-ball and when he was on-ball, imposed another level of pressure. Being quite possibly one of the fastest players in the tournament and having the versatility of this footspeed was a standout ability for Lagao. Moving and smothering opponents, not giving up an inch of space when his matchup had the ball and closing off passing lanes with ease off ball. If he even saw an inch of space or a chance to get the ball he would take it, poking balls loose and hustling to every loose ball once he got a hand on it. When he did get the ball out in the open court there was no one catching him. Even when there was some pressure placed on him, Lagao proved to be a great slasher through the lane and could finish through contact. Besides the athletic talents he possessed, Lagao was a flamethrower from deep and able to knock down threes in bunches. Having an extremely quick release that made blocking or even contesting him a challenge when he was given space. Being only grade eleven and playing big minutes, I believe this guy is going to see himself with the ball in his hands much more as the season progresses. #5 | Justice Arciaga | 5'9 | G | St FX | C/O 2028 This next prospect came up on my radar at the last tournament that I covered and just showed me how much potential he truly had during the REB. Justice Arciaga , the third player that I am writing about from St FX shined as an offensive option and secondary playmaker for the Rams. As a team that already has a talented starting lineup, Arciaga was often the beneficiary to defences sagging off to play help on some of the other scorers on FX. With this opportunity, he showed me how much of a sharpshooter he can be from beyond the arc. Even in the tournament finals on the biggest stage, this kid went out and shot like no one was watching. Besides the shooting, he often acted as a secondary initiator and ball handler for the Rams. Against stronger defenders, he didn't even hesitate to bring the ball up and run the offence. He was able to use this composure to either take a hard drive to the hoop and finish smoothly at the rim, or find a good look for an open teammate. Filling this kind of role usually comes from veteran players on a high school roster, but Arcuiaga, a standout role player so far this season, is only in grade 10 now. Standing at 5 '9 I think that he still has room to grow as well and will only improve as his eye for the game and ball control is much much higher than most players his age. I was very impressed with what I saw from this kid during a high-stakes game and am extremely excited to see what he is capable of once he expands his game down the line.   #11 | Davion Moore | 5'11 | G | Valley View | C/O 2028 For the fifth and final player on my ‘Got Next’ team this year I will be writing about a player from across the border who showed a ton of potential. Davion Moore from the Valley View Eagles was an all-around solid-looking prospect who seemed like he had skills to offer across the board. Being a grade 10 in the starting lineup, he was not a very high-usage player for most of the tournament. What he did show in that limited showing though, was his defensive pressure and high IQ for the game. Moore may not have been the biggest or strongest player on the court at all times standing at 5 '11 but the way that he perceived the game made it look easy for him. He had great vision when he had the ball and was able to find open players even when he had defensive pressure on him. When he wasn't finding an open look off the dribble, Moore was spreading out the offence and spotting up from three, where he excelled as a catch-and-shoot guy. He played a very good team game and filled whatever role his team needed him to. On the defensive end, his IQ shone through as well. When he took a defensive assignment on ball, he would often smother players and was even able to make players uncomfortable (without fouling) to the point where they would throw bad passes or lose the ball. With this much potential, I truly hope to see this kid return to the REB in the future. That is all I have for this year's REB coverage. I had a blast chatting with different coaching staff and watching this high-intensity gameplay. For those who stuck around and read this whole article, I want to thank you so much. This took countless hours to put together but for me, seeing the growth and effort year after year from each athlete during the REB makes doing so worthwhile. Covering this tournament is a treat and I look forward to making this an annual event for myself after a phenomenal two years. I have included a link to the REB program and website below if you want any more info on the players or the event itself. If you would like to see me cover your event after reading this please feel free to reach out and send me a note! REB Website - https://sites.google.com/epsb.ca/reb-invitatational   REB Program - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ko-JCJF8hZJtVLstMOPVTQnXEN4EOubQ/view My Contact Info - hpaulichuk@gmail.com

I am eagerly anticipating the start of the 2024/25 ACAC season so that I can watch and follow all the action. I have a deep history with the ACAC. I grew up in Edmonton, AB, and as a high school student, I regularly attended Grant MacEwan Community College games. Then, as a student at Concordia University College in Edmonton, I witnessed the school join the ACAC in 1999/2000 and was an active member, announcing all the home games. After graduation, I coached for one season at The King's University College. Then I had the privilege of joining the legendary Phil Allen to start the program at Lakeland College in 2003/04. I stayed on his staff until his retirement (he did return for 1 season to assist for Chris King) in 2009/10. The league has been thriving and will be highly competitive. The last two CCAA national champions have been from the ACAC, with SAIT winning in 2022/23 and Keyano bringing home the championship in 2023/24. This year, the teams will compete for two spots at the 2025 National Championships hosted by Vanier College in Quebec. I am very thankful for the league's coaches who responded with outlooks for their teams this season. I have ranked teams based on returning players, transfers, recruits, a couple of preseason games, and just my feelings about where they will end up at the end of the year. It was not an easy process. The north division plays 20 games and the South division 21. They play each team in the opposite division once and each team inside their division twice. The playoffs will see the top 4 teams in each the north and south traveling to the team that is in first place in the South at the end of January. The games will be tight, and one unexpected loss will see teams tumble down the standings and possibly miss the playoffs. NORTH DIVISION OUTLOOK Keyano Huskies When you think of Fort McMurray, it's usually associated with oil and lifted trucks. However, Coach Jeremy Wielenga has built a powerhouse basketball program that happens to be the defending CCAA national champions. They finished the 2023/34 season with a 17-3 record, placing first in the north and hosting the ACAC final four. It's quite easy to pick them to finish first since they are bringing back most of the team, including the top scorers Omeechi Williams (4th year; Hamilton, ON), DJ Haynes(2nd; Naple, FLA), Evan Meyer (2nd; Oshawa, ON) , and Nahshon Hurst(4th Markham, ON). Furthermore, with Keenan Caribou (4th; Pukawatagen, MB) returning from injury and NAIT transfer Yasser Abduallahi (5th; Edmonton, AB) joining the team, it seems like they are poised for another strong season. I would have expected the team to start the 2024/25 season as the preseason #1 team in the national rankings. However, a couple of preseason losses to Mohawk, Humber, St. Mary's, and SAIT will likely lower their ranking. No doubt, these losses will motivate them, especially since they start the season playing against the South teams, where a couple more losses are possible. They will be focused and hungry to regain the #1 spot and defend their title at nationals. 2. Concordia Thunder The Thunder had a mixed season in 2023/24, finishing 4th in the North with a 10-10 record. However, they were defeated by the 5th seed NAIT Ooks in the play-in game, ending their season earlier than expected. They experienced a coaching change, with ACAC legend Robbie Valpreda moving from the women's team to take on a new challenge. The hiring delay posed recruiting challenges, but the majority of the team returned. Leading scorer Yaadvir Dhaliwal (5th; Sacramento, CA), along with O'Ryan Wallace (4th; Sacramento, CA), Alex MacLean (5th; Leduc, AB), and Mailton Lendein (5th; Edmonton, AB) are back. Although the loss of Nick Gibb will be felt, acquiring USport transfer Nash May (2nd; Leduc, AB) from McEwan should help. The Thunder also recruited guard Devon Weleschuk from Bev Facey High School in Sherwood Park, AB. The Thunder have a seasoned team that understands their responsibilities. Coach Valpreda, although new to coaching the men's team, has been part of the ACAC for 25 years and has learned from some of the greatest coaches. They are ranked at #2 due to their experience and coaching, but they need to be cautious because I can see both teams below them improving and surpassing them. Lakeland Rustlers The Rustlers have been consistent since they joined the league in 2003/04, winning games and making the playoffs. In the 2023/24 season, they had a 12-8 record, securing 2nd place in the north, and then had a successful playoff run, earning the ACAC bronze medal. Coach Sheray Thomas has been at the helm for 11 years and has consistently risen to the challenge. The team will face challenges due to the departure of its top three scorers: Andre McFadden, and Abdul Al-Tamimi. The coach will look to Allayasa Bray (5th;) Bahaeddin Salma 4th; Saskatoon, SK), Chance Samuel (3rd; Douglasville, GA), and Nathyn McDonald-Whitedeer (3rd; Saskatoon, SK) to step up and lead the new transfers and recruits. Additionally, the team is adding transfers Riley Rathwell (5th; North Battleford, SK) from Algoma University, Matthew Bryant from Briercrest, and Tyreik Lennox (3rd; Hamilton, ON) from Olds, hoping for a smooth transition and to fill the gaps left by the departing players. Coach Thomas is also optimistic about the abilities of the three incoming freshmen: Samuel Bergen-Isaac (Winkler, MB) from Legacy Prep, Israel Ogebor (Calgary, AB) from CTA West, and Ishmael Brown (Troronto, ON) from Oakville Prep, and expects them to adapt quickly to ACAC play. This team will need to find roles early. The loss of so much leadership and scoring will be hard to overcome. However, I have them in 3rd place because of Coach Sheray Thomas' experience. Entering his 11th season, he has only had a losing record once. I think his familiarity with travel and the other teams will put them slightly above some teams. But he will have his work cut out for him, as some of the teams I have lower will want to experience playoffs and won't just give it to Lakeland. 4. NAIT Ooks The Ooks had a mixed 2023/24 season, finishing 9-11 in 5th place. They managed to defeat Concordia in the play-in game but were then defeated by Keyano in the quarterfinals. There was also a coaching change over the summer, as Jordan Baker stepped down to focus on his duties with the Edmonton Stingers. His replacement, however, came from the Stingers family, as longtime player Adika Peter-McNeilly was chosen for the role. The Ooks did lose a lot of their core players, but the coach is excited to have Gabriel Humilde (2nd; Edmonton, AB) and Kohl Wedman (2nd; Edmonton, AB) returning and stepping into bigger roles. The additions of transfers, forward Patrick Fisher (3rd; Edmonton, AB) from the University of Alberta and guard Omar Farrah (1st; Edmonton, AB), a red-shirt from Nipissing University, should provide them with the experienced minutes that they lost. The coach is also excited about adding Donovan Caldwell (Sherwood Park, AB) from Salisbury High School. This team is really a wildcard and hard to place. With a brand new coach adjusting from playing to coaching and limited veteran presence on the team, I think they could finish as high as 2nd, but that will depend a lot on the impact their transfers can have. Northwest Polytechnique Wolves The Wolves had a very successful 2023/24 season, finishing with a 10-10 record and securing 3rd place in the North. However, they were defeated in the quarterfinals by Lakeland. Coach Evan Lloyd is bringing back most of his squad, including key players Christian Liwanag (4th year; Edmonton, AB), Daniel Zandbergen (3rd year; Vancouver, BC), and Tony Kibonge (3rd year; Edmonton, AB). They will face the challenge of compensating for the loss of their leading scorer and rebounder, Emmanual Iloka. The team is pinning their hopes on the addition of transfer player Mitch Crosina (2nd year; Grande Prairie, AB) from CBC of the PacWest, as well as freshmen Nathaniel Backe, Makaia Lapa (Abbotsford, BC), and Chris Kinyage (Edmonton, AB) to make a positive impact and help the team return to the playoffs. It may take some time for the team to adjust to the absence of Emmanual, but Coach Lloyd is committed to working them hard. With a strong finish, they have the potential to secure the 4th playoff spot. The Kings' Eagles Last year was a challenging one for the Eagles as they finished with a 0-20 record. Coach Jay Ouellette sees it as a year of growth and learning. The team will have 11 returning players, with the only significant loss being leading scorer Cornelius Mingo Jr. Coach Ouellette is expecting significant progress from players like Jonathan Barweger (4th year; Lethbridge, AB), Brock Stupar (3rd year; Spruce Grove, AB), Josh Povhe (5th year; Saskatoon, SK), and Evan Castle (2nd year; Surrey, BC). He is particularly excited about the return of Logan Den Oudsten (5th year; Lacombe, AB) who graduated and is returning to play his final year and complete an Education degree. In addition to the returning players, Coach Jay has secured the transfer of Daniel Park (1st year; Air Ronge, SK) from Providence in the MCAC. He is also bringing in 9 new recruits to form a team that will compete in the Edmonton Legacy League, aiming to further develop the program. Coach Jay anticipates that freshmen Toney Nguoth from M.E. LaZerte and David Loki from Smithers, BC, will see playing time in the ACAC this season. I see significant improvements coming for this team, and I believe they will be aiming to make the playoffs in 2025/26. University of Alberta Augustana Vikings The Vikings had a tumultuous season in 2023/24 after long-time coach Dave Drabiuk departed and an interim coach was appointed late. They finished with a 7-13 record, placing 6th in the north. This year might be challenging as new head coach Etienne Jacquet wasn't hired until late August and inherited the team and recruits left behind. The Vikings lost their two leading scorers from last season and will rely on returning players Jack Smilski (4th, Cochrane, AB), Brett Marlow (4th, The Pas, MB), and Cooper Nelson (4th, Strathmore, AB) to step up and lead the 12 incoming freshmen. According to Taffe Charles, head coach for the Carleton Ravens at the recent U of S Huskies tourney, Coach Jacquet is a hard-working and intelligent coach who will build a competitive program. I anticipate that they will surprise some teams in the second semester and pose challenges for teams vying for playoff seeding. SOUTH DIVISION OUTLOOK 1. St Mary's Lightning After finishing 19-2 in the previous season and earning ACAC silver, this team is returning one of the best backcourts in ACAC history. Coach Nathan Ruff has built a program that has consistently grown, and I expect them to take the next step this season and make some noise in Quebec at nationals. The team will welcome back Caleb Jibb (5th; Calgary, AB) , the reigning CCAA player of the year, along with his running mate, the electric Brock Dewsberry (5th; Raymond, AB). However, the loss of Johnpaul Okudua, who averaged almost 13 rebounds a game and did a lot of the dirty work, will be felt. Returners such as Pelumi Ajayi (4th; Calgary, AB) , Noah Steingart (2nd; Carstairs, AB) , and Josh Castro (3rd; Dumaguete City, PHIL) will need to take on bigger roles. In addition to the returning players, they have added Patrick Dujmovic (5th; White Rock, BC) from UBC-O to provide an inside presence and rebounding. Incoming freshmen Cley Perret (Okotoks, AB) from PSA Prep, CJ Peters from Calgary, AB, and Lucas Barlow (Okotoks, AB) from Holy Trinity Academy are also expected to contribute throughout the season. SAIT Trojans SAIT entered the 2023/24 season as the reigning national champions but faced tough competition throughout the season. They finished with a 17-4 record and placed 2nd in the South division. Unfortunately, they were defeated by Keyano in the semi-finals, ending their hopes of securing back-to-back national championships. The Trojans are dealing with significant changes this season. While they retain their leading scorer, Marcus Masters (5th; Kitchener, ON), they have lost key players such as Akol Yuol and Geoffrey James. However, Coach Daley is counting on returning players Will Tong (2nd; Calgary, AB), Jaden Matthews (5th; Edmonton, AB), and Tutu Akol (2nd; Calgary, AB) to maintain the team's winning tradition. Although I prioritize experience and continuity in my rankings, I cannot ignore a program that is bringing in 6 transfers, all of whom played significant roles in their previous teams. Coach Daley has put in a lot of effort during the off-season, adding Johnny Mims (4th; Los Angeles, CA) from Lakeland College, Matejc Vukic (3rd; Serbia) from Ambrose, Awer Awer (3rd; Edmonton, AB) from South Plains College, Nhial Kuech (3rd; Calgary, AB) from NAIT, Killian Yupa (2nd; Leon, France) from Mount Royal University, and Mina Ogot (3rd; Edmonton, AB) from the University of Regina. This is an impressive recruitment effort, and if the team can establish chemistry early, they will certainly pose a challenge to St. Mary's for the top spot and aim for a spot in the national championships. Briercrest Clippers Coach Shane Sowden has been slowly building this program and I predict this will be a breakout year for the program. They finished last season with a 14-7 record good for 4th place in the south but were disappointed to lose at home to Red Deer in the play-in game. The Clippers are returning almost their entire team with the only key loss being Asher Elstad. Leading Scorer Oroma Bongomin (3rd; Regina, SK) returns to once again lead his team. Jude Shepperd-Hills (5th; Saskatoon, SK) was a rebounding machine who added a lot to his game over the summer and will be a tough cover. I expect the breakout star to be big man Zach Martens (4th; Dalmeny, SK), I saw him play in the exhibition season against the University of Saskatchewan and he looks ready to fully use his size and strength to make this season a memorable one. With a deep roster, the three freshmen that Coach Sowden brought in will face a challenge to find playing time. However, Markus Glaspell (Regina, SK), Will Stiason (Saskatoon, SK), and Hunter Barnstable (Hafford, SK) were all standout high school players in Saskatchewan last season. They are expected to be valuable long-term assets for the Clippers. On top of my placing Briercrest in 3rd, I will predict that Coach Sowden will win Coach of the Year. He has put in the work over the years with the program and it will all come together this season. 4. Medicine Hat Rattlers Under the guidance of Head Coach Rich Humphrey, who has led the Rattlers for over a decade, the team is looking to improve on their 4-17 record from last season where they finished 8th place. The campaign plagued by injuries. Despite the setbacks, the Rattlers bring back six key players and welcome a promising group of recruits. Coach Humphreys is bringing back a lot of the squad and expecting much better results A healthy Cooper Ward (5th; Ipswich, AUS) will lead the charge along with Keiran Isnor (3rd; Camrose, AB), Ethan Robinson (3rd; Ipswich, AUS) and Jordan Bigger (4th; Toowoomba, AUS). They are bringing back David Hamilton (3rd) who took a year off last year and adding transfers Colby Anderson (2nd; Camrose, AB) from Augustana. Coach Humphreys also found some impact players on the recruiting trail that he is excited to add to the roster Eli Kohler (Saskatoon, SK) from WCPA, Cooper McKechnie (Regina, SK) from Miller High School, and Marek Andres. Local recruits Trey Watson and Kyle Bertram stayed home from Medicine Hat High and they are dynamic athletes that set the Alberta High school scene on fire last year. While it is tough to see a team going from 8th to playoffs in what you can see is a loaded division is not an easy prediction but Medicine Hat was not a normal 8th seed last year. I am not sure I have seen injuries affect a team more than they did Medicine Hat last season. In fact, I am again going out on a limb and predicting Cooper Ward will be the ACAC player of the year in his final year. He can truly do it all and will lead his team into playoffs where they will give someone planning on going to nationals a real scare. Lethbridge Kodiaks Lethbridge finished the 2023/24 season with a 14-7 record, securing a 3rd place finish in the South division. This led to a quarterfinal match against SAIT, where their season came to an end. Coach Heggie has been a mainstay at Lethbridge, entering his 13th season, making him the longest-serving men's head coach in the ACAC. They will face challenges as they have lost several players to USport transfers, including Dray Walburger, Declan Peterson, and Filip Karanovic. While there isn't much information available about Lethbridge, it is known that they have added Coleson Lake (from Eagle, Idaho), who is transferring from Division 1 Weber State. Red Deer King's I have noted the following text: Red Deer has a strong tradition in men's basketball, and Coach Jedell Foster has done an excellent job during his time there. In the 2023/24 season, they finished with a 12-9 record and secured 5th place in the South. Unfortunately, their playoffs ended with a quarterfinal loss to St. Mary's. The King's will have their leading scorer Jose Maura Barrozo Jr (3rd; Sao Paulo, BRA) returning, but they will be without Eduardo Crespo, Efe Iyamu, and Keyon Wisdom. Coach Foster is hopeful about the addition of Cole Wicker (4th; Chilliwack, BC) who sat out last year. Additionally, returning players such as MacGregor Manyluk (5th; Red Deer, AB), Bernardo Amponsa (3rd; Sao Paulo, BRA), Lucas Kuprowski (2nd; Red Deer, AB), and Lado Lodo (2nd; Edmonton, AB) are expected to take on bigger roles this season. The team will also welcome three strong freshmen recruits: Zayne Vernon from Hamilton, ON, Sam Idemuclia from WCPA (Leduc, AB), and Felix Webb from Leduc Composite High. It's difficult for me to imagine a program as historically strong as Red Deer missing the playoffs. The competition in the South will be tough, and I'm sure Coach Foster is not planning to end up in this position. He will be eager to lead the team to a strong playoff run. Olds Broncos Another program that made a coaching change in the summer, after a 5-16 record that saw them finish in 6th place in the South last year, they hired David Kapinga to lead the team forward. Coach Kapinga joins Olds from the University of Calgary staff where he was assistant coach after a stellar 5 year playing career there as well. He led Alberta U15 program this summer and has been heavily involved in the Genesis Club program. He brings back a strong core of Gurech Gurech (3rd; Calgary, AB) , Logan Bennett (2nd; Langdan, AB) , Alonzo Tan (3rd; Calgary, AB) and Isiah White (3rd; Courtice, ON) but also loses Nate Akade and Kenny Bates. He has brought Matteo Kells (1st; Calgary, AB) with him from the University of Calgary and added freshmen Tong Akol from Calgary, Oliver Kristofferson from Denmark and Kevin Mvemba from Calgary. The squad looks like they are heading in the right direction and they will cause some very tough nights for all the above teams that are fighting for the playoffs. I predict that just like Briercrest having slowly built into a powerhouse program, we will see the same from Olds in the next several years, making the South look like it will be a battle for a long time to come. Ambrose Lions Our team will have a lot of changes this year. Coach Neil Nystrom will focus only on the men's program as they have hired a new women's coach. Our team had a 4-17 record last year and finished in 7th place. We lost our top scorers, Kieron Burgess and Mateja Vukic. Coach Nystrom is ready to rebuild and is counting on returning players: David Mubagwa (3rd year; Calgary, AB), Guilherme Lacenda Ferreira (4th year; Rio de Janeiro, BRA), Ty Schenk (3rd year; Lumsden, SK), Jackson Earle (4th year; Sarnia, ON), and Hunter Snyder (4th year; Calgary, AB) to lead the team. He has also been busy recruiting freshmen: Paulo Cuesta (Cochrane, AB), James Censon (Calgary, AB), Jarom Walton (Calgary, AB), and Dylan Pearson (Calgary, AB). I believe Coach Nystrom has done a good job and has built a great team culture. However, the competition in the South division will be tough this year. I expect our team to make an impact in the standings and show grit throughout the season. I don't think I could have picked a tougher year to begin writing about the ACAC and making preseason predictions. The South will be a fight every night for the teams hoping to make the playoffs, and though the North may not be as deep, they will be battling to finish as high as possible and avoid some matchups in the playoffs. If you haven't followed the ACAC, I will do my best to keep my Twitter feed ( @david_harmon ) updated with all the results and actions every weekend. Even better, you can listen to Lakeland women's coach Chris King and Tori Dugan's amazing podcast, " Hold My Clipboard ," that breaks down all the ACAC action each Tuesday. I highly encourage high school players who follow the Maple Minute to become familiar with all the leagues so you know all your options. Stay tuned next week for the ACAC women's preview, followed by some Saskatchewan high school and player rankings later in the month.

I am eagerly anticipating the start of the 2024/25 ACAC season to watch and follow all the action. I have a deep connection to the ACAC. Growing up in Edmonton, AB, I regularly attended Grant MacEwan Community College games as a high school student. Later, as a student at Concordia University College in Edmonton, I witnessed the school join the ACAC in the 1999/2000 season and actively participated by announcing all the home games. After graduating, I coached for one season at The King's University College. I then had the privilege of joining the legendary Phil Allen to help establish the men's program at Lakeland College in the 2003/04 season. I remained on his staff until his retirement (though he returned for one season to assist Chris King) in the 2009/10 season The league has been thriving and promises to be highly competitive this year, especially with the reigning CCAA national champions, the Lakeland Rustlers. Teams will compete for two spots at the 2025 National Championships, which will be hosted by St. Thomas University in Fredericton, NB. I am extremely grateful to the league's coaches who provided their outlooks for their teams this season. I have ranked the teams based on returning players, transfers, recruits, a few preseason games, and my overall impressions of where they may finish at the end of the year. This was not an easy process. The North Division plays 20 games, while the South Division plays 21. Each team in one division will face the teams in the opposite division once and play each team within their own division twice. The playoffs will see the top four teams from both the North and South Divisions compete at the first-place team in the North at the end of January. The games will be closely contested, and an unexpected loss could cause teams to drop down the standings and potentially miss the playoffs. NORTH DIVISION OUTLOOK Lakeland Rustlers It's straightforward to place the defending national champions at the #1 spot, just like on the men's side. Coach Chris King has spent the last 15 seasons developing the program into a nationally ranked powerhouse. Not only are the Rustlers the national champions, but they also achieved a perfect 20-0 record in the regular season and are likely aiming to continue their winning streak this year. One key reason for the Rustlers' success is their depth. They will be returning the reigning CCAA Player of the Year, Hineaupounamu (Missy) Nuku (2nd year; Tauranga, NZ), along with Alana Olsen (5th year; Maidstone, SK), Susan Ayaa (3rd year; Edmonton, AB), and five other players. Coach King is also expecting Sarah Dacuycuy (4th year; Estevan, SK) and Caitlin Shillabeer (2nd year; Adelaide, AUS) to help fill the gaps left by the departures of Hailey Somers, Jaden Cook, and Elliot Lieffers. To add to this, Coach King has brought in a rare transfer for his program, Andria Stitt (5th year; Birmingham, AL). With Stitt on the team, I predict that Lakeland will have two All-Canadians, a feat that has rarely been achieved in ACAC history. (last done 1999-2000 by SAIT women's players) The King's Eagles It is unusual to place a team in second place that has just come off its first-ever trip to the Women's Basketball Nationals and is returning 13 players to the roster, but that is the situation here. Coach Torey Hill will take over as head coach after six seasons assisting the esteemed Brian Anstice, who transformed the King’s women's program during his seven seasons. Last year, the team finished with a record of 13-7 and had an impressive run to the nationals. The roster will not see any significant departures, as leading scorers Megan Aleman (3rd; Lethbridge, AB), Aneilia Ayotte (4th; St. Albert, AB), and Jordana Rivet (3rd; Sturgeon County, AB) are all returning to help continue their progress. Additionally, the team is welcoming two transfer players: Meadow Munroe (4th; Yellowknife, NWT) from Augustana and Olivia Pederson (3rd; Beaumont, AB) from Ambrose. With three more freshmen joining the squad, this roster is poised to keep building on its success. Last year was an exceptional season for the Eagles, and Coach Hill will have a challenging task in trying to replicate that success. Keyano Huskies Coach Dwayne Vigilance has built an impressive program in Fort McMurray, leading the team to back-to-back trips to the nationals in 2021-22 and 2022-23. However, last year, they fell short of a third consecutive trip, finishing with an 8-12 record and placing fifth in the North Division. They did manage to upset the University of Alberta - Augustana in the play-in game, but that only set them up for a challenging matchup against Lakeland in the quarterfinals. The team lost two veteran role players, Lameez Khan and Casey Gorieu, but they will return their top four scorers from the 2023-24 season. Kaylynn Tucker (5th year; Omaha, NE) and Marijana Besic (5th year; Panevo, RU) will lead a roster that includes two fourth-year players, three second-year players, and an impressive six freshmen in Coach Vigilance's newest recruiting class. He has broadened his search for talent, bringing in players from Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Regina. The battle for second place in the division will be competitive, with both King's and Keyano vying for the position. Both teams have made it to the nationals in recent years and will be eager to secure another trip. I predict that both teams will earn a win against Lakeland as they compete for that second spot. The difference will likely come down to how well they perform in the first semester against the southern teams. Concordia Thunder The Thunder had a mixed year in 2023/24, finishing with a 10-10 record that placed them third in the North. They were eliminated in the quarterfinals by King's. This summer brought an unexpected coaching change, as longtime Coach Robbie Valpreda transitioned to the men's team. The school hired Don Finlayson as the new head coach, making him the fifth coach of the program since it joined the ACAC in 1999/2000. This season, the team will look very different, with key players Rachel Harvey, Hannah Mitchell, and Jenna Rinsky having all departed. However, they will benefit from a strong veteran presence with the return of Georgia Bowman (4th year, Sherwood Park, AB), Jaycee May (4th year, Leduc, AB), and Haley Cleland (3rd year, Saskatoon, SK). With eight freshmen joining the roster, the Thunder will focus on rebuilding while aiming to secure a fourth-place finish and provide their young recruits with valuable playoff experience. Augustana Vikings Coach Lauren Cardinal will serve as the head new coach this season, as Megan Wickstrom takes the lead assistant position with Scott Edwards at the University of Alberta. Last season, the team finished with a record of 8-12, placing them fifth in the North division. Their season ended after losing to Keyano in a play-in game. The team retains much of its core from last year, with returning players including Mackenzie Mrazik (4th year; Edmonton, AB), Mallory Ogilvie (3rd year; Edmonton, AB), and Sabine Gross (2nd year; Edmonton, AB). Additionally, two transfers have joined the team: Erin Howes (3rd year; Beaumont, AB) from MacEwan University and Payton Mueller (2nd year; Vanderhoof, BC) from Okanagan College. The addition of five freshmen should help Augustana continue to grow as they aim for a playoff spot. NAIT Ooks Coach Kiera Lyons has been developing the program, and they are expected to make significant progress this year. They finished the 2023-24 season with an 8-12 record, placing 6th in the North. While they will be losing a couple of role players, the return of Payton Neilson (4th year; Calgary, AB), Mikah Reed (4th year; Sherwood Park, AB), and Rory Vandermeer (3rd year; St. Albert, AB) provides a strong foundation. Coach Lyons hopes that last year's recruiting class, which includes six second-year players on the roster, will advance their skills, and she expects the five freshmen to contribute as well. Northwestern Polytechnic Wolves The 2023/24 season was challenging for Coach Bill Bradley and the Wolves, as they finished with a record of 1-19, placing last in the North division. This offseason, the team lost four of their top five scorers. To strengthen the roster, they are bringing in Charlee McIntyre (2nd; Vanderhoof, BC) from Olds College, along with four freshmen. The team will rely on Paige Snyder (3rd; Westlock, AB) to continue developing her skills in order to achieve more victories this season. SOUTH DIVISION OUTLOOK SAIT Trojans I feel like I am repeating some of my notes, as the team will be completely new with four players transferring in. The Trojans will be led by new coach Steve Shoults, who comes to the Trojans after several years of leading the St. Mary’s women's program. In the 2023-24 season, the Trojans finished with a record of 9-12 and missed the playoffs, placing 6th in the South. The lineup will be strengthened by the additions of Kitwana Sparks (5th year; Taber, AB), Keneisha Nepinak (3rd year; Winnipeg, MB) from Lethbridge Polytechnic, Joy Victor (5th year; Tortola, BVI) from Keyano College, and Lauren Bailey (5th year; Calgary, AB). They will join the leading scorers: Brook Baker (5th year; Calgary, AB), Anegor Wol (5th year; Edmonton, AB), and Macy Muholland (3rd year; Airdrie, AB). Coach Shoults has a lot of talent at his disposal, and how well the team gels will determine their success in the South. The first weekend will provide a significant indication of the season’s direction when the Trojans match up against Briercrest. Briercrest Back-to-back ACAC bronze medals mark a significant achievement for a program that historically struggled to reach the ACAC playoffs. Under the guidance of Coach Anthony Skepple, the team in Caronport has shown remarkable growth. They finished the 2023/24 season with a 13-8 record, securing 4th place in the South. However, their playoff performance was impressive for the second consecutive year, as they upset the #1 seed, Lethbridge, in the quarterfinals and pushed Lakeland to the limit in a tightly contested semifinal. The loss of key players Brooklyn Martens and Hope Jordens will be felt, as they were instrumental in both medal runs. Fortunately, the team retains a strong core of 10 returning players. Defensive standout Melissa Ellis (5th; Arcola, SK) will reunite with Amber Fitchner (5th; Yorkton, SK) for one last season, alongside ACAC Rookie of the Year Asia Wells (2nd; Regina, SK). Coach Skepple is also welcoming four new recruits, including Sydney Waind from Kirkland, QC, and Sienna Anderson from Meadow Lake, SK, whom he hopes will make a significant impact. I have ranked this team at number 2 due to their roster continuity and experience. However, they could slip, as they have in previous seasons, if they don't perform consistently every weekend. They have experienced costly losses in the past, and with the ACAC South's depth this year, the gap between 1st and 4th place could be as slim as 2 or 3 bad games. St Mary's Lightning The 2023/24 season was a rollercoaster ride for the St. Mary's Lightning, who finished with a record of 13 wins and 8 losses, securing 3rd place in the South. The playoffs told a different story; they advanced past the second-seed Red Deer in the quarterfinals but were defeated by King’s and Briarcrest in closely contested games, ultimately finishing 4th in the league. During the summer, the team parted ways with Coach Shoults, who moved across Calgary to SAIT. Longtime men's assistant coach Abdell Farag will lead the women's program into this season. The loss of Andria Stitt will be significant, as she was a key player, leading the team in points and assists and ranking 2nd in rebounds. However, Coach Farag is optimistic about the return of Jazmyn Kellogg (5th year; Calgary, AB) and Adit Deng (3rd year; Calgary, AB) to maintain the program's momentum. Additionally, the team is welcoming two transfers: Kendal Russel (4th year; Strathmore, AB) from Brandon University and Maitlynn Miller (4th year; Lethbridge, AB) from Mount Royal University, both of whom should bolster the team. Placing them in 3rd is tough, as some may argue that they could be ranked as high as 1st. Red Deer Queens The Queens started the 2023/24 season strong, but they couldn't maintain their momentum during the playoffs. Despite finishing with a record of 17-4 and placing second in the South Division, they were eliminated by the third-seeded St. Mary's Lightning in the quarterfinals, ending their season earlier than they had hoped. The team is led by the legendary Avery Harrison, who has been a head coach in the ACAC for 23 years. He has led his teams to the national championships ten times, winning three. This year, he faces a tough challenge, having lost four of his top five scorers from last season. However, Harrison has reloaded the roster and is competing for another national championship. He is returning Jayden Demchuk (5th; Whitehorse, YK) along with several younger players who will need to step up in bigger roles. Coach Harrison also secured ACAC All-Star Rachel Harvey (5th; Brooks, AB) from Concordia, as well as Brandi Thibeaux (3rd; Lake Villa, IL), who previously played at Johnson County Community College and Old College, to help fill the gap left by departed players. The team also includes seven freshmen. The South Division is expected to be very competitive, and it’s hard to imagine any team coached by Avery finishing in fourth place. I believe the Queens will exceed that expectation, as it will be challenging for the three teams above them to win in Red Deer. Ambrose Lions Ambrose will showcase a new look this season, having hired Head Coach Rodd Sawatzky and Lead Assistant Aphia Ward to replace Neil Nystrom, who will only coach the men's team this summer. Last season, the team finished with a record of 12 wins and 9 losses, placing 5th in the South. They were eliminated in the play-in game by Briercrest but are optimistic about building on their performance. The team will focus on developing around All-Conference post player Andrijana Bokan (3rd year; Calgary, AB) and guard Ariana Dela Paz (3rd year; Foothills, AB). Although they will miss Marin Barkey's contributions, they are excited to welcome 7 freshmen to the roster. The coaching staff is particularly enthusiastic about Prissy Chuoi (Calgary, AB) from Notre Dame High School and Jovana Prodanovic (Red Deer, AB) from Lindsay Thurber High School. While I currently view this team as outside contenders for the playoffs, they have the potential to challenge other teams, especially if the freshmen can adapt quickly. Lethbridge Kodiaks The 2023/24 season began with Lethbridge positioning itself as a national contender, finishing first in the South division with an impressive 18-3 record. This strong performance would have allowed them to host the ACAC final four. Unfortunately, they faced a formidable Briercast team in the quarterfinals, which led to an early end to their season. Coach Ken MacMurray saw his top three scorers either transfer or graduate over the summer. As a result, he will rely on Courtney Deemter (4th year; Calgary, AB) and Annah Westrop (4th year; Lethbridge, AB) to lead a young team this season. With deep ties to the Southern Alberta basketball community, Coach MacMurray has worked hard to bring in seven freshmen from the region's basketball hotbeds to strengthen the squad. Medicine Hat Rattlers Medicine Hat has made a coaching change this summer, welcoming Chad Watson to lead the program. Last season, the Rattlers finished with a record of 3-18, placing 6th in the South Division. The team returns six key players from last year, including Breanna O'Conner (3rd year, Pigeon Lake, AB), Jaida Gold (2nd year, Medicine Hat, AB), and Abby Watson (3rd year, Medicine Hat, AB). The roster has also been significantly strengthened with the addition of ten newcomers, featuring standout players like Alexis Watkins from Chestermere High School and Addison Graf from Luther College in Regina. I am excited to see the potential this young team has, and I hope they can secure some surprise wins to challenge for a playoff spot and create some challenges for the top teams. Olds Broncos Coach Sheldon Frank is entering his second year with hopes of achieving greater success than in his first. The Broncos finished the previous season with a record of 1-20, placing 8th in the South. The team will be led by Caitlin Paul (4th year; Fairview, AB) and Hailey-Jo Heggie (5th year; Raymond, AB), and the roster also includes 2 sophomores and 11 freshmen. While the team's youth may result in another year of growing pains, Coach Frank is confident that he has players ready to compete and is optimistic about climbing toward the playoffs in the near future. I don't think I could have picked a tougher year to begin writing about the ACAC and making preseason predictions. The South will be a fight every night for the teams hoping to make the playoffs, and though the North may not be as deep, they will be battling to finish as high as possible and avoid some matchups in the playoffs. If you haven't followed the ACAC, I will do my best to keep my Twitter feed ( @david_harmon ) updated with all the results and actions every weekend. Even better, you can listen to Lakeland women's coach Chris King and Tori Dugan's amazing podcast, " Hold My Clipboard ," that breaks down all the ACAC action each Tuesday. I highly encourage high school players who follow the Maple Minute to become familiar with all the leagues so you know all your options.

Welcome to the future of Canadian basketball! Canada has emerged as a powerhouse in the global basketball scene, consistently producing elite talent that competes at the highest levels. Today, we’re shining a spotlight on the next wave of stars who are set to carry the torch forward. From coast to coast, these 11 young prodigies from the classes of 2027, 2028, 2029, and 2030 have been turning heads with their skills, athleticism, and passion for the game. These athletes represent the future of Canadian basketball, destined to follow in the footsteps of the greats. Each one has their own unique style and drive, and they’re ready to take the basketball world by a storm. Get ready to witness the rise of the next generation – the future is here! NICHOLAS WUTRICH | GUARD | ROYAL CROWN Nicholas Wutrich, a premier Guard in the class of 2029 . He can really do everything on both sides of the court. His work ethics really makes him stand out on and off the court from most kids, as I have witnessed him recovering from injuries with a cast on his right hand and still in the gym working on his left hand. Wutrich's versatility on the offensive ends ranges from inside-out and he has the ability to control the pace of the game. He has one of the tightest handle on the ball and smoothest shots in today's game. MATEO MOISE | GUARD | ROYAL CROWN Mateo Moise is quickly rising into the spotlight , showing why he’s a premier prospect in the class of 2029. His ability to knock down tough shots and lead his team is what sets him apart. With a high basketball IQ and an extremely coachable attitude, Mateo consistently elevates his game. He recently had a standout performance, dropping an incredible 63 points, which solidifies his status as a player that every coach should have on their radar. KYMANI WALTERS | GUARD | ROYAL CROWN Kymani Walters is the real deal , and his development is something special to witness. His ability to lock down oppenents on defense combined with a high basketball IQ and natural feel for the offensive game makes him a standout player. Kymani is a relentless competitor, a true "DOG" on the court, and undoubtedly one of the top prospects in the class of 2027. ZAYNE HINKSON | GUARD | WCPA Zayne Hinkson is a standout Canadian prospect  from the west coast, playing under Coach Sunny at WCPA. He has demonstrated remarkable versatility and efficiency as a guard, with the ability to score at all three levels, rebound effectively, and facilitate the offense. His leadership and maturity are clear, as he consistently runs the offense with smart decisions and relentless effort. Averaging 15 PPG on an incredibly high shooting percentage, Zayne is undeniably one of the top shooters in the class of 2027. RASHEED MORRISON | GUARD | HUNTINGTON PREP Rasheed Morrison is an elite Canadian prospect  who has taken his talents to the U.S., playing for Huntington Prep. Recently ranked #1 in the state of West Virginia, his growth over the past few years has been remarkable. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to predict whether Morrison will remain a guard or transition to a wing as he continues to evolve. His passion on both ends of the floor, bringing energy every possession, is truly special. With clear leadership and maturity, Morrison consistently runs the offense with smart decisions and relentless effort. There’s no doubt he is one of the top overall prospects in the class of 2027. TYSON DARKO | GUARD | RONDO ELITE Tyson Darko is making waves as one of the youngest rising stars in North America . At just 13 years old and part of the class of 2030, he’s already established himself as one of the toughest, most well-rounded players in his class. Tyson plays with a fierce competitive edge, always bringing intensity and having fun while doing it. Off the court, he’s humble and respectful, but once the game starts, he’s relentless. While he still has areas to develop, Tyson is definitely a prospect worth keeping a close eye on. ISAIAH HAMILTON | FORWARD | CRESTWOOD PREP Isaiah Hamilton is quickly emerging as one of Canada’s brightest young talents . At just 14 years old, in the class of 2030, he’s already proven to be one of the toughest, tallest, and most versatile players in his class. Hamilton plays with a fierce competitive edge, bringing intensity and excitement to every game. Recently, he’s been making waves with one highlight-reel performance after another. If you haven’t been paying attention, now is the time. While there’s still room for growth, Isaiah Hamilton is absolutely a prospect to keep on your radar. KYREE TAYLOR | GUARD | UPLAY Kyree Taylor is a versatile guard  who excels both inside and outside the arc. With a smooth shooting stroke and a high basketball IQ, Taylor is a complete offensive threat. He can handle the ball, create his own shot, and finish at the rim with either hand. His vision and passing ability makes him powerful in transition and in the half-court. Taylor is constantly improving, with a work ethic and guidance that are second to none. Every time you see him in the gym, he’s better than the last. Class of 2027. PRAISE BADEJO | GUARD | UPLAY Praise Badejo is an explosive and versatile guard  with elite athleticism that allows him to play well above the rim. With great control of pace and a high basketball IQ, he’s a complete two-way threat on both offense and defense. Badejo can handle the ball, create his own shot, and finish at the rim with either hand. His constant improvement, driven by a strong work ethic and top-notch guidance, sets him apart. As part of the class of 2029, Praise is definitely a player to watch. EHIZOGIE EHIKHAMETALOR | GUARD | ROYAL CROWN Ehikhametalor is a focused guard who consistently gets the job done . His true passion for basketball drives him to improve rapidly every day. With elite athleticism, he plays well above the rim, showcasing great control of pace and a high basketball IQ. Transitioning from the Gators Family to the Royal Crown Family, he excels at handling the ball, running the offense, and finishing at the rim with either hand. His strong work ethic and top-notch guidance fuel his constant development, making him a standout in the class of 2030. CJ ROBERTS | GUARD/FORWARD | RIDLEY COLLEGE CJ Roberts is a dynamic two-way specialist  with the ability to block shots out of the gym. In his first year at Ridley, he’s playing alongside his older brother, Caleb Roberts, which will be interesting to watch as he develops this season. With elite athleticism, CJ excels above the rim and possesses tremendous upside that may be overlooked for now. His strong work ethic, combined with top-notch guidance, fuels his ongoing development, making him a standout prospect in the class of 2027.

After a weekend of prep hoops in Fort Erie & multiple trips to the local Arby’s, I took some time to rifle through my notes from the Battle in the Fort event. I have compiled a list of 35 prospects who stood out to me in the 2 days I attended Fort Erie International Academy for this prestigious showcase. With teams coming from across Ontario & Quebec there was no shortage of talent on display. For more insight from the weekend be sure to check us out on Twitter @themapleminute & @TMMRecruiting . 1. Anthony Ponga (6'4, Fort Erie) Ponga impressed with his shooting during the event, showcasing a smooth and consistent stroke from beyond the arc. He has the ability to stretch the floor and knock down threes in rhythm, making him a valuable offensive weapon. His confidence from deep makes defenses respect his range, opening up driving lanes for his teammates. 2. Bashir Ngala (6'3, Fort Erie) A vocal leader with a true commanding presence on the court. Ngala’s leadership sets him apart, constantly encouraging teammates and directing traffic on both ends. His ability to control the pace of the game and keep everyone involved makes him a key component of Fort Erie’s lineup. 3. Caleb Roberts (6'0, Ridley College) Roberts showcased his sharpshooting ability, hitting multiple three-pointers in the first half. His quick release and confidence from deep make him a valuable perimeter threat. However, he's not only a shooter, he can absolutely demolish the rim with his dunks. 4. Callum Smith (6'10, Ridley College) A towering presence in the paint, Smith has the size and shot-blocking ability that immediately catches attention. He has the potential to be a solid post presence and rebounder. Offensively, Smith is developing as a low-post scorer with a soft touch around the basket. 5. CJ Roberts (6'1, Ridley College) A solid performer who did an excellent job closing out the half in game #1 with multiple clutch buckets. CJ displayed high basketball IQ, making the right plays in critical moments. His ball-handling and decision-making in tight situations are clear strengths that will serve him well as he develops. 6. Colton Crowdis (6'4, Crestwood) Crowdis is a versatile guard with a smooth shooting stroke and the ability to create his own shot off the dribble. He has a high basketball IQ, often finding the open man and making smart decisions in transition. Defensively, he’s solid on the perimeter but his true strength is his playmaking abilities. 7. Daniel Mizener (6’7, Ridley College) With impressive length and energy, Mizener can impact the game on both ends of the floor. His shooting touch is evident, especially from mid-range, where he’s shown consistency. His high motor allows him to thrive in transition and make hustle plays. 8. Dante Censori-Hercules (6'8, Hodan Prep) A standout in the gym, Censori-Hercules has the physical tools to dominate in the paint but he can shine on the wing. His size and strength, paired with his ability to finish around the rim, make him an intriguing prospect. Defensively, he protects the rim and alters shots effectively. He doesn't just do a bit of everything, he can do everything. 9. Deng Ngor (6'7, Fort Erie Red) Ngor is on the right developmental path. He shows solid defensive instincts and the ability to impact the game on both ends. A very high energy prospect holding a ton of NCAA interest. Being a 2027 the sky is the limit for Deng's potential. 10. Eli Jolin (6'6, Fort Erie Red) Despite being thinner than expected, Jolin has all the tools to be a significant player. He possesses good court awareness and has shown flashes of potential as an elite scorer. As he continues to develop physically, he could become one of the top prospects in 2026. 11. Gurdeep Kalsi (6'6, Polaris Prep) Kalsi’s defensive prowess stood out, especially with a highlight-reel block against Raphael Amuri. His athleticism and ability to rise quickly make him a threat on both ends of the floor. Offensively, he has a lot of promising attributes, and his athletic tools provide a high ceiling. 12. Ian McBride (6'9, Hodan Prep) McBride has size, but he must work on his toughness, particularly when it comes to holding his position and not getting knocked off the ball. As he gets stronger and more assertive in the paint, he’ll be a key piece for Hodan Prep. His ability to protect the rim remains a valuable asset. 13. Jaden Lee (6'5, Hodan Prep) Lee profiles as a future post secondary athlete, holding the prerequisites needed to play at that level. He has a smooth offensive game and can score in multiple ways. His athleticism allows him to make plays in transition, and his ability to finish at the rim makes him a reliable scoring option. 14. Josiah Roberts (6'3, Hodan Prep) An elite bucket-getter, Roberts raised his stock throughout the event. His ability to get to the rim and finish through contact makes him a constant offensive threat. His defensive upside, combined with his explosiveness, makes him a well-rounded prospect. 15. Justus Haseley (6'2, Royal Crown) Haseley is a quick, dynamic guard who excels in getting to the basket. His first step is explosive, and he can finish through contact. He’s a solid defender, particularly in on-ball situations, using his speed to stay in front of his man. 16. Kemar Grant (6'3, Polaris Prep) Grant showed significant upside in his game. His length at the guard position, combined with his ability to create for himself, makes him an intriguing prospect. He plays with a confidence that suggests his game will only continue to improve. 17. Kymani Walters (6'3, Royal Crown) Walters is a strong guard with a knack for scoring, especially in isolation situations. He’s a tough finisher around the basket and can absorb contact well. Defensively, he’s solid, showing good lateral movement. 18. Lana Agbelese (6'8, Crestwood) Agbelese is a high-energy forward who excels in the paint. He’s a strong rebounder on both ends and shows good timing on shot-blocking opportunities. His offensive game is excellent, particularly his face-up game and ability to finish around the rim. 19. Luka Sinda (6'8, Fort Erie) Sinda has the tools needed to succeed at the next level. His size and versatility allow him to play multiple positions. He’s comfortable with the ball in his hands and can score in a variety of ways, making him a valuable asset for Fort Erie. 20. Mahliq Kitson (6'7, Fort Erie Red) Kitson is one of the most talented prospects on the floor. He has a smooth offensive game and can score from all three levels. His combination of size, athleticism, and skill makes him a matchup nightmare. With continued development, he will end up at a High Major program. 21. Mansley Dorneval (6'2, CSJV) Dorneval stands out as one of the best prospects on CSJV. His combination of athleticism, court vision, and defensive instincts make him a two-way player. He can impact the game both offensively and defensively, quickly became one of my favourite PG's in 2026. 22. Mangok Lok (6'8, Crestwood) Lok is an athletic forward with great length and defensive potential. He’s a capable shot-blocker and disrupts passing lanes with his wingspan. Offensively, Lok is most effective in transition and around the rim, & once he improves his mid-range shooting and ball-handling he will become a complete player. 23. Markeese Strawridge (6'7, J. Addison) Strawridge started off hot, showing off his shooting range early in the game. He can stretch the floor and knock down threes with confidence. His size allows him to guard multiple positions, and his offensive versatility makes him a valuable asset. 24. Matt Dann (7'0, Fort Erie) Dann’s size alone makes him an intriguing prospect. At 7’0, he’s a shot-blocking presence who alters shots in the paint and cleans up the glass effectively. His offensive game is still raw, relying primarily on putbacks and close finishes, but with proper development in his post moves and touch, he could become a more complete big man. 25. Moise Kambululu (6'9, Lennoxville) Kambululu has intriguing assets as a big man. His size and length make him an effective rim protector, and he can finish inside. However, he needs to work on his mobility and footwork to become a more consistent offensive player. Defensively, he has the potential to anchor a defense. 26. Nic Naire (6'6, Fort Erie) Naire has that "IT" factor—he plays with a confidence that sets him apart. He can score from all areas of the court, and his ability to create his own shot makes him a primary offensive option. His upside is immense, and he could develop into a star. 27. Owen Meagher (6'6, Lennoxville) Meagher struggled with free throws early, but his ability to adjust and improve, hitting six straight after halftime, shows his work ethic. He consistently knocked down shots within the flow of the offense, making him a reliable scorer. 28. Quinten Ethier (6'4, Ridley College) Ethier was on fire from beyond the arc, hitting four three-pointers in quick succession. His shooting is his standout skill, and he has the potential to stretch defenses and force opponents to adjust their coverage. I am a big fan of his game and he steadily improves each time I evaluate him. 29. Raphael Amuri (6'5, A’Huntsic) Amuri is the best player on A’Huntsic and for good reason. He’s athletic, skilled, and has a competitive edge. His ability to drive to the rim and finish in traffic, along with his defensive effort, make him a solid prospect with potential beyond the prep level. 30. Sader Servilus (6'3, Fort Erie) Sader demonstrated a smooth shooting touch, particularly from deep. His ability to hit from range makes him a valuable perimeter scorer. He plays with a confidence that allows him to step into big moments without hesitation. 31. Saad Chaudhry (6'9, Hodan Prep) Chaudhry showed promise as a true 6'9 forward. He’s a solid rim protector, using his size and length to alter shots. Offensively, he also brings a lot to the table being able to make shots inside and out. 32. TJ Richards (6'5, Royal Crown) Richards is a strong and athletic wing with great defensive versatility. His ability to guard multiple positions and crash the boards makes him an asset on both ends. His ability to get downhill is a tremendous asset to the Royal Crown offensive scheme. 33. Tristan Beckford (6'6, Fort Erie Red) Beckford is a high-motor player who leaves it all on the floor. His athleticism allows him to make plays on both ends of the court. He has the potential to become a standout defender, and is currently in the conversation for the #1 prospect in the country in the class of 2025. 34. Xavier Blake (6'4, Polaris Prep) Blake showed the most upside for Polaris Prep. He’s a dynamic scorer who can create his own shot and get to the rim. His length and athleticism give him a high ceiling, and with continued development, he will become a standout player in the prep circuit. 35. Yann Apheley (6'6, Royal Crown) Apheley is a long, athletic wing with the ability to guard multiple positions. He’s quick on his feet, allowing him to switch defensively and disrupt offenses. Offensively, he’s shown flashes of potential as a lob threat and as he continues to improve his shooting consistency he has the tools to be a D1 recruit.

The Western Canada Prep Showcase in St. Albert, Alberta, featured some of the best young basketball talent in the region. Over the weekend, we evaluated several players who significantly boosted their stock and caught the eye of our scouts and coaches alike. Below are 10 prospects whose performances stood out, with each showcasing unique skills and potential to excel at the next level. 1. Munroop Gill (CTA West) – 5’11” Guard Munroop Gill established himself as a relentless scorer throughout the weekend. His ability to slash through defenders and draw contact at the rim was impressive. He consistently got to the free-throw line, displaying poise and control. While he took what the defense offered, there’s potential for Gill to do even more offensively. Projected as a low-major prospect with upside, his versatility and grit make him a player to watch. 2. Favian Mbaoma (WCPA) – 6’9” Forward An athletic force, Favian Mbaoma shocked many with his impressive shooting touch and elite court vision. His passing ability for a player of his size was a revelation, and his physical presence on both ends of the floor makes him a threat. Mbaoma’s versatility and basketball IQ suggest he could reach mid-major status by season’s end, especially with his dynamic skill set. 3. Cole Bekkering (Edge Prep) – 6’6” Forward Cole Bekkering is built for college basketball with his 6’6” frame and broad shoulders. He showcased his ability to shoot from deep, finish through traffic, and play the passing lanes defensively. Early interest from Santa Clara and Pacific suggests that Bekkering’s future at the next level is bright, with his skill set translating well to multiple positions. 4. Jada Bolok (CTA West) – 6’7” Forward Jada Bolok, though listed as 6'7", played more like a 6’9” lob threat. His shot-blocking and rim protection were exceptional, reminiscent of Shadrak Lasu from last year’s class. Despite foul trouble in his first game, Bolok’s defensive impact and physical presence were undeniable. His potential as a defensive anchor makes him an intriguing prospect. 5. Max Fraser (WCPA) – 6’6” Guard Max Fraser stood out as one of the most complete guards at the showcase. A 6’6” floor general, he can score from anywhere on the court, and his leadership was evident. Fraser’s performance earned him an offer from LIU, and his combination of size, skill, and court awareness makes him a rare asset at the point guard position. 6. Remi Ajayi (Elite Futures Prep) – 6’7” Guard Remi Ajayi is the epitome of a smooth operator. His all-around game—whether it’s slashing through defenders, knocking down shots, or playing above the rim—was on full display. Defensively, he showed great instincts, and his performance solidified him as a future DI player. His versatility and ability to impact both ends of the floor are his greatest strengths. 7. Riak Chol (WCPA) – 6’6” Guard Riak Chol has been steadily climbing the ranks, and his performance this weekend cemented his status as a top-10 prospect in the 2026 class. He put on a scoring clinic, particularly in his Friday night matchup. His intensity on defense and ability to get out in transition make him a dual threat on both ends. 8. Malachi Richmond (Edge Prep) – 6’3” Guard Malachi Richmond’s energy stood out from the warm-ups. His hustle and pace were consistent throughout the weekend, and his crafty handle made him a difficult cover. As a Class of 2026 recruit, Richmond’s poise and development over the next two years will be key, but he already projects as a future D1 prospect. 9. Inderjeet Brar (CTA West) – 6’6” Wing Inderjeet Brar was a revelation this weekend. Virtually unknown before the event, he impressed with his size, fluidity, and versatility. His combination of athleticism and skill makes him one of the top prospects in the 2025 class. A major stock riser, Brar’s performance has certainly put him on the map. 10. Patrick Anamali (EDGE) – 6’8” Forward Patrick Anamali possesses incredible physical tools with his 7'2" wingspan. Though still raw, his defensive prowess and potential as a versatile scorer have him on a high-major trajectory. If he continues to develop, Anamali could be one of the most impactful players in his class. The Western Canada Prep Showcase provided an excellent platform for these rising prospects to demonstrate their talents. College coaches across North America should keep an eye on these players, as they all have the potential to succeed at the collegiate level and beyond. At The Maple Minute, we’ll continue to follow their progress as they evolve into standout collegiate athletes. For more standout names from this event, check us out on Twitter @themapleminute & @TMMRecruiting .

Photo Credit: @ lucaszx.ss via @Huskiembb Over the weekend at the Ron and Jane Graham Shootout, I had the opportunity to speak with some highly recruited freshmen as they made their USports debuts. I interviewed them and their coaches to get their thoughts on their performance and the transition from high school and club ball to USports. David Harmon: How did it feel to get into the games and what did you learn? Diego Presingular (MacEwan Griffins), who is from Central Prep in Winnipeg, MB, emphasized the importance of being mentally and physically tough in basketball. He mentioned "facing tough teams like Carleton and UBC requires resilience and the ability to not let things get to you, especially as a young player, as these teams will try to provoke mistakes." Nylan Roberts (UBC), from Yale Secondary in Vancouver, BC, noted " the transition is challenging due to the difference in size and strength, but overall, it's going well." Owen Murphy Wiebe (Sask), from Aden Bowman Collegiate in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, reflected "It is challenging transitioning to the faster-paced and more physical game." Despite the adjustments, he expresses gratitude for the opportunities he is receiving. Dillyn Morin (Sask), from Walter Murray Collegiate in Saskatoon, mentioned "I feel good about my performance and am playing decent." DH: What advice do you have for future recruits? What do you wish you knew in High school that would have made the transition easier? DP: "It is a lot tougher mentally, you need to check in all the time and know details. It is also physical. You need to get advice, talk to veterans who have played, and take that in." NR: "Hit the weight room and get into shape, you think you are ready but you aren't." OMW: "You need to work hard, it is a defensive game once you get here and I don't think I was as aware defensively as I should have been in High School." DM: "The summers matter, these guys are powerful and you need to be ready." DH: How do you feel your freshmen handled the weekend? Mike Connolly from MacEwan said, "We love our freshmen. I think the weekend got long for them and they got tired. Diego is coming into his own but is playing cautiously. As he gets more comfortable, he will continue to do good things that will help us as a team. Jud [Judson Weir from Regina] gives us an effort that allows him to be in our lineup, and we look forward to watching him grow." Taffe Charles from Carleton University mentioned that the players have picked up some bad habits while playing high school and club basketball. He emphasized that at this level, coaches will push them to improve and correct those habits. Charles also mentioned that the players will need to work hard to get better, as they may not be accustomed to the level of accountability that comes with playing at this level. Kevin Hanson from UBC expressed his satisfaction with the new recruits, emphasizing the importance of having one or two high school students join the program each year and grow within it. He also highlighted the challenge of dealing with numerous transfers in the league (USport), stressing the need to recruit players who can develop and improve over time. Jamie Campbell from Saskatchewan: "Like all freshmen, ours had their ups and downs, showing some exciting moments and making some mental mistakes. They provided some great moments this weekend, and I am really excited about the future." It has been an incredible start to the preseason, with many of the prospects we cover here at The Maple Minute beginning to transition to the next level. I also want to note that AJ Osman was a standout freshmen for Carleton this weekend but I was unable to catch up with him for an interview. For live updates on our team's whereabouts across the country, follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Stay tuned for more updates from myself on Saskatchewan prospects, the ACAC, and all the Saskatchewan Huskies home games.

This weekend, I’ll be heading from Ontario to Edmonton for the highly anticipated Western Canada Prep Showcase, hosted by WCPA. This event promises to spotlight some of the top basketball talent emerging from Western Canada, and I’m excited to evaluate a selection of standout prospects. With a focus on their skills, potential, and overall impact, this report highlights key players and must-see matchups that will shape the outlook of the season upon us. Key Prospects to Watch Favian Mbaoma | 6’9 | WCPA | 2025    Favian is a major stock riser as a versatile forward with impressive length and agility. His shot-blocking ability and defensive presence make him a key asset in the paint. Offensively, he shows promise with a developing jump shot and post moves. Max Fraser | 6’5 | WCPA | 2025    Max is a dynamic point guard known for his scoring ability and athleticism. His capability to drive to the basket and knock down perimeter shots will be crucial for this WCPA team. Watch for his defensive tenacity as well. Cole Bekkering | 6’5 | Edge School | 2025    Cole brings a well-rounded game with a strong basketball IQ. He excels in transition and can effectively score both inside and out. His versatility allows him to guard multiple positions, adding leadership to his Edge School team. Malachi Richmond | 6’2 | Edge School | 2026    A crafty guard, Malachi possesses excellent ball-handling skills and playmaking ability. His quick first step allows him to create separation and facilitate scoring opportunities for his teammates. Jada Bolok | 6’7 | CTA West | 2025    Jada is a quick twitch forward with a strong rebounding presence. He’s effective around the rim and has the potential to be a lob threat in transition. His defensive versatility will be a highlight. Munroop Gill | 5’11 | CTA West | 2025    As a smaller guard, Munroop compensates with speed and agility. He excels in fast breaks and can be a consistent threat from beyond the arc. His ability to control the pace of the game will be vital for CTA West. Bilal Osman | 6’8 | Elite Futures Prep | 2025    Bilal’s size and skill set make him a formidable presence on both ends of the floor. His rebounding and shot-blocking abilities are impressive, and he’s consistently developing a more reliable offensive game for the next level. Warris Isaiah | 6’8 | Elite Futures Prep | 2025    Another strong forward, Waris is known for his athleticism and defensive prowess. He has the potential to be a key scorer and is particularly effective above the rim. Achuil Jacob | 6’2 | PSA Prep | 2025    Achuil is a versatile guard with good shooting touch and court vision. His ability to create his own shot and find open teammates will be crucial for his team's success. Derrick Imuetinyan | 6’3 | United Prep | 2025     Derrick brings energy and hustle, often being the first player to dive for loose balls. His defensive instincts and ability to drive to the basket make him a player to keep an eye on. Must-See Matchups The showcase will feature several exciting matchups, but keep an eye on the Saturday matinee between Edge School vs. Elite Futures Prep at 1:30pm. The clash between Bilal Osman and Cole Bekkering promises to be a highlight, showcasing contrasting styles as Osman’s defensive skills meet Bekkering’s offensive versatility. Additionally, the battle between the dynamic guards Max Fraser and Munroop Gill should provide an exciting display of speed and skill on Saturday afternoon at 4:30pm. The Western Canada Prep Showcase is poised to be an exciting event that highlights some of the best young talent in Canadian basketball. With a rich crop of players who possess a mix of athleticism, skill, and potential, it’s a prime opportunity for scouts, coaches, and fans to witness the future stars of the game. I look forward to sharing insights and updates from the event as these prospects showcase their abilities on a national stage.

This weekend, an impressive array of talented USport teams gathered at the University of Saskatchewan to kick off the 2024/25 preseason and commence their journey towards Nationals in March. "We want to bring in the best teams in the country to Saskatoon. I have been fortunate to have established good relationships with coaches and programs across the country, and it's exciting for our program to have them come out and compete," explained Huskies Head Coach Jamie Campbell. Carleton Coach Taffe Charles expressed his excitement about coming out, saying, "Jamie and I go way back, and the opportunity to support him and check out his team was a welcome one. He has done a great job with the program, and we enjoyed the competition this weekend." With each of the 4 teams playing against each other over 3 days, here's an overview of what I observed and the respective coaches' thoughts about their teams: University of British Columbia Thunderbirds After a successful 2023/24 season where coach Kevin Hanson's team went 18-7 (14-6 in Canada West play), finishing 4th in league play but unexpectedly exiting the Canada West play-in game, they are gearing up to host the 2025 USport National Championship. The team has bolstered its ranks with experienced transfers in the hopes of clinching victory on their home court in March. This team is known for its tough, paint-focused basketball style. Forward Nikola Guzina put up impressive numbers over the weekend, scoring 18 points against MacEwan, 14 against Carleton, and 21 against Sask. His frontcourt teammates, Fareed Shittu and Victor Radocaj, also displayed remarkable toughness and experience. Although sharpshooter Adam Olsen struggled with his shooting, he managed to get many good open looks, which bodes well for the team's offensive capabilities as the season progresses. Coach Hanson reflected on the weekend, expressing satisfaction with the early-season performance on the road. He acknowledged that the players were still finding their rhythm and that there were areas for improvement. However, he highlighted the significance of securing wins on the road or on neutral ground. The team finished the weekend with an impressive 3-0 record, defeating MacEwan 84-69, Carleton 85-68, and Saskatchewan 75-5. Carleton University Ravens The USport champion for 17 of the last 21 years finished 13-9 last season. This year's team appears to be young again with only one 5th-year player and no 4th-year players on the roster. The young squad competed extremely well all weekend, and Augustas Brazdeikis emerged as their go-to scorer throughout the weekend (16 points vs. Sask, 16 vs. UBC, and 14 vs. MacEwan). Nelson Cilien was strong on the boards (10 rebounds vs. Sask, 11 vs. UBC, and 5 vs. MacEwan) all weekend, and To Randriasalama was a threat from behind the arc (6/16 on the weekend) in their games. Coach Taffe Charles stated, "We learned a lot from this weekend. Yesterday [Friday vs. UBC] we didn't play as well as I would have liked, but overall, we have a lot of good film to watch and get a really good assessment of our team at this point." Carleton finished 2-1 with wins over MacEwan (84-66) and Saskatchewan (73-67), and a loss to UBC (68-85). University of Saskatchewan Huskies The Huskies had a record of 11 wins and 10 losses in the 2023/24 season. They were eliminated by the Brandon Bobcats in the Canada West Play-in Game. The team is currently in a rebuilding phase after graduating 8 players. They are primarily led by veteran players, with the majority of the roster consisting of 1st and 2nd year players. Guard Emmanuel Bonsu was consistent throughout all 3 games, scoring 16 points against Carleton, 12 against MacEwan, and 7 against UBC. Easton Thimm, the reigning Canada West rookie of the year, made significant contributions in the paint before sustaining an unfortunate injury that sidelined him for the Saturday game. Each game saw a different guard stepping up as the top scorer: rookie Owen Murphy Weibe scored 17 points with 3 out of 5 from 3-point range on Thursday, 5th year Griffin Sharkey scored 28 points with 5 out of 9 from 3-point range on Friday, and another rookie, Dillyn Morin, scored 17 points with 5 out of 12 from 3-point range on Saturday. Coach Jamie Campbell reflected on the weekend, stating, "It was a good weekend with lots of promising things. The competitor in me doesn't like finishing 1 and 2, but after graduating 8 players, we have a brand new young team. We have to focus on the positives, and our guys competed for 3 straight games, and I am happy about that." As the coach mentioned, the team finished 1-2 with a win over MacEwan 77-61 and losses to UBC 59-75 and Carleton 67-73. MacEwan University Griffins After a challenging 2023/24 season where the Griffins did not win any of their 20 games, Coach Connolly managed to recruit some new players from other schools and high school. These additions have given him hope for the upcoming season. Job Janda (scoring 21 points against UBC, 7 points against Sask, and 14 points against Carleton) and Hugo Alsonso (scoring 8 points against UBC, 14 points against Sask, and 18 points against Carleton) were standout performers over the weekend, putting pressure on the opposing defenses. One area the team needs to improve on is rebounding, as a few of the team's key players were not able to travel with the team. Coach Connolly is hopeful they will be able to address this issue with a full lineup. After the games, I spoke with Coach Connolly, who was optimistic about the weekend's results. He emphasized that the weekend served its purpose by demonstrating the level of competition they need to match in order to compete with stronger teams. He highlighted the need for hard work and toughness to progress as a team, and expressed confidence that they can reach those standards. MacEwan had a tough weekend, losing all three games: 69-84 to UBC, 61-77 to Saskatchewan, and 66-84 to Carleton. I am excited to see how USports unfolds in the coming weeks as more preseason results come in. This tournament could have a significant impact on rankings in March, especially with UBC preparing to host nationals and Carleton aiming for an 18th national championship. I also believe that both Saskatchewan and MacEwan will show improvement and have the potential to upset teams that underestimate them.

On Sunday, I was able to take in the opening combine for the 2024 Saskatoon Homecourt Summer League. Going into it's 4th season, the league has continued to grow and has become a must see for witnessing the growth of basketball in Saskatoon. Founder Chan DeCiman, a former U of S Huskie player, has created a league that brings out the best that basketball has to offer in our prairie oasis. Just a few things that make the league stand out include: Season themes - last year was Spongebob, this is included in jerseys, social media and merch, it just makes the league a fun a vibrant place to be. This years theme will be Scooby-Do!!! Interactive Player of the Week voting - the coaches pick 2 players in each division and then voting between them is done on Instagram complete with video highlights. Up and coming coaches - the league identifies a lot of former local high school and USport players and give them a chance to try coaching in a low stress environment. League Combine - all the players ran drills and played games in front of the coaches on Sunday, who will draft their teams this week. This mixes up the kids from their school/club teams. The 2024 season will be the biggest yet with the league running from July 9th to August 22nd. The numbers are simply mind blowing considering Saskatoon has a population of under 300,000. The league will feature 134 kids in the Junior division (grade 4-8) playing Tuesdays, 72 Senior Girls playing Thursdays and 196 Senior Boys playing on Wednesdays. The week consists of one hour long practice and 2 games on their game night. I had the privilege of coaching in the leagues inaugural season and have tried hard to make appearances each year to support the amazing work Chan and his team have done. This year with support of the Maple Minute, I will be taking in games weekly and writing about a prospect to watch each week. So please bookmark this post and check back each Friday over the summer to learn about the next group of Saskatoon talent PROSPECT WATCH July 9-11 DANIEL MOORE Position: Guard Height: 5'10 School: Tommy Douglas Collegiate (Saskatoon, SK) Club: Saskatoon Shadow Class: 2026** Daniel Moore opened up the first week of the Homecourt League by showing us the work he has put in to get ready for his grade 12 year at Tommy Douglas High School. Known mainly as a shooter the last couple of seasons, Daniel showed his new bag with incredible finishes at the rim in a variety of ways. In the first game he dropped an eye-popping 24 points (games are 20 minute run time halves) and followed that up with 11 in the second game. College and Prep coaches will want to keep and eye on Daniel this coming season, he has been an undersized 2 guard, but his effort to improve his ball handling, defense and passing, could make him a hidden gem for the right program. July 16-18 Andrew Hawley Position: Guard Height: 5'11 School: Walter Murray Collegiate (Saskatoon, SK) Club: Greenwave United Class: 2028** You can't help but notice Andrew when he is in the game, I had a college coach comment they think he is one of the best shooters in the province. He is not only an elite catch and shoot player, he is an intelligent player that makes the right play consistently, whether it be moving the ball quickly on the break to create advantages or making the right read to find the open man in the half court. Andrew will keep defenses honest next year as he moves up to the senior team to join his big brother and dad and the rest of Walter Murray defend its provincial crown. July 23-25 Jesse Klinger Position: Wing Height: 6'6 School: Clavet Composite (Clavet, SK) Club: Rise Above Class: 2026** Jesse has put in a lot of work over the summer and last night in summer league it showed. He already was an impressive shooter for his size and intimidated opposing teams roaming the middle of Clavet's zone; However, over the summer with both Rise Above and the Saskatchewan U17 team, he has started to become a slasher that finishes hard at and above the rim. Jesse has really good size and strength and will be one to watch at nationals in 2 weeks. I think the USport coach that gets him will see huge returns. July 31- Aug 2 Taylor Grant Position: Guard Height: 6' School: St Joseph Collegiate Club: Shadow Class: 2029** Taylor is a super smooth scoring threat from all 3 levels and continues to grow his game. He has been showing up all summer league against much bigger and older kids and just keeps putting up points having lead his team in scoring most games. He will be a player to watch over the next several years to see what he adds to his game. Aug 13-15 Raph Mutongolo Position: Guard Height: 6'1 School: Holy Cross Collegiate Club: Greenwave Class: 2027 After a one week break, summer league was back and the players work over the summer has shown. School starts soon and before we know it basketball season will be underway. This week, I was impressed with Raph's improved shooting. Raph is a pure point guard who distributes the ball and gets teammates involved, he beats his man off the dribble and makes excellent reads when help comes. Over the years I have watched Raph, it is his motor on defense that makes him special, he has a long wingspan and presses up on opposition guards constantly creating mistakes. If he keeps working on being a consistent shooter, he will be a major factor in helping Holy Cross get back to being the top team in Saskatchewan. Aug 20-22 FINALS!!!! What a final session as all teams were seeded and played for the championship. Instead of featuring a prospect this last week, I am going to simply list the Senior Division all-Stars, most I have featured in other articles and will be going much more in depth on during the upcoming high school season. It was a pleasure to watch all the kids and coaches learn and grow in such a fantastic setting. MVP Moe Osman Position: Guard Height: 6'3 School: Holy Cross Club: Rise Above Class: 2026 First Team All-Stars Zach Hawley Guard/6'1/Walter Murray/UPlay West/2027 Jack Gray Guard/6'1/Concordia/Rise Above/2024 Jeremy Proctor Forward/6'4/Unsigned/2024 Faisal Mahadi Guard/6'/Walter Murray/2026 Leandro Rego Forward/6'5/ St Joseph/Greenwave/2027 Second Team All-Stars Kian Tyson Guard/6'6/Holy Cross/Genesis/2026 Jesse Klinger Forward/6'6/Clavet/Rise Above/2026 Will Stianson Guard/6'/Briercrest/Golden Ticket/2024 Raph Ewejobi Forward/6'4/St Joseph/YXE Elite/2026 Sam Besong Guard/6'3/Unsigned/Rise Above/2024 **Some players played limited games due to club/prov team commitments and that was reflected in all-star voting ** All classes include a post high school prep year which is standard for NCAA recruiting.

Game #1 Nova Scotia 73 Newfoundland 64 2024 Nationals kicked off with a meeting between the maritime rivals. Nova Scotia looked to push the ball early and often as they ran off rebounds, turnovers and made baskets, Newfoundland looked to slow them down early with a full court press but Nova Scotia was able to show patience and break it leading to easy baskets. Despite playing at a high pace Nova Scotia struggled to score only shooting 34% the game. Newfoundland committed 30 turnovers and just couldn't find a run to close the score as anytime they got a run Nova Scotia had an answer. Deion Coward looked good for Nova Scotia coming off the bench, scoring 14 points in just under 20 minutes of play. The Newfoundland backcourt played really well Ryder English had 15 points, 8 rebounds and 7 steals, his backcourt partner Lucas Mate scored a smooth 21 points including 6/10 from three. Game #2 New Brunswick 114 Northwest Territories 45 New Brunswick came out ready to go and used their defensive pressure to create turnovers early and often. Their defense led to easy fast break points including several dunks early and they didn't let up at all. Northwest Territories guard Rex Turner had a very good game finishing with 26 points including an impressive 7/10 from 3. Nova Scotia guard Jacob Christie finished with 19 points in 19 minutes to go with 5 assists and 4 steals. Game #3 Ontario 100 Quebec 84 This highly anticipated matchup featuring a lot of highly ranked. athletic players was played at a very high level. Ontario came out running and scored on the break, early and often getting out to an early big lead. Quebec settled in and kept the game even until the 4th quarter where they started to narrow the lead but it was too little too late. This game featured a lot of players we are watching this season. Jordan Charles came up huge for Ontario with 33 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists and 9 steals. Big man Charles Smith got to work inside with 16 points on 75% shooting. Promis Nlandu filled the stats sheet for Quebec with 15 pts, 8 rebs and 6 assists. Game #4 Alberta 85 British Columbia 78 Alberta jumped out to a quick lead and held a 54-38 lead at halftime as BC found a couple starters in foul trouble that limited their minutes. The second half was a different game as they made it close being down only 2 with 2 minutes to go in the game, but Alberta iced it with free throws. Alberta was led by Patrick Anamali with 18 points and 9 rebounds and point guard Birch Pockar who finished with 13 pts, 7 rebs and 7 assists. Toren Franklin did everything he could in the 1st half to keep BC within striking distance ending with 11 points and 8 assists, but it was Justin Hinrichsen that came up big in teh 2nd half to finish with 21 points and 9 rebounds. Game #5 Saskatchewan 79 Newfoundland 70 This was a sloppy game right from the start with poor shooting (both teams 31% for the game), and high turnovers (33 for NFLD and 22 for SK). Saskatchewan comes out with the win as their ability to get to the paint and draw fouls was the difference, they shot 20 foul shots to Newfoundland's 6 attempts. Saskatchewan was led by Faisal Mahadhi with 24 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. Lucas Mate had his second big game of the day with 30 points in the loss. The stats that jump off the page are the rebounds with 4 players in tha gme having more than 10; John Purchase with 16 and Jacob Sheppard with12 for NFLD, Christ Ndayikengurukiye with 14 and Kungu Mtuabzi with 10 for SK. Game #6 Manitoba 133 Northwest Territories 40 This was a mismatch from the start just as you would have expected with last years 5th place finisher vs 10th place. Manitoba jumped out to an early lead and didn't look back, they are long and athletic shooting 62% from the field and forcing NT into 40 turnovers. Manitoba finished with 6 players in double digit scoring and only 1 player was over 20 minutes and that was by 23 seconds. I think we will be highlighting a lot of Manitoba players this week as they will make a serious run at a medal in my opinion. DAY 2 Game #7 British Columbia 80 Quebec 78 The first game of Day 2 was a great match up and the teams both competed a an extremely high level. Quebec came out strong and built a 10 point lead midway through the 2nd Quarter, but just like Day against Alberta, BC fought back to take a 5 point in the 3rd quarter. Despite some pushes by Quebec in the 4th, BC was able to hang on to the lead and take the game. This is a must watch game if you are looking for a game to watch tonight, both teams showed excellent execution and defense throughout the game. Big Tyler Felt led the way for BC with 23 points and 6 rebounds, while guard Dorian Glogovac bounced back from yesterdays foul trouble with 15 points. Quebec standout Promis Nlandu paced Quebec again with 18 points and 6 rebounds Game #8 Ontario 85 Alberta 77 What a Game!!!! With so many elite prospects in one game we should have expected it to be close but they exceeded expectations, if there is a game to show college coaches of upcoming Canadian talent this is it. Right from the opening tip the two teams went back and forth all first half. Ontario got on a run in the 3rd quarter opening up a 15 points lead that had them in control. Alberta turned it around in the 4th and came all the way back, down 2 points with 1 second left, the converted a nice baseline inbounds play to tie the game and had a free throw to win, but that did not fall. Overtime was all Ontario and they come away with the win. The difference maker for Ontario in this game was Quentin Ethier who had 21 points on 5/11 shooting from 3, Ian McBride was a standout on defense and collected 8 tough rebounds. Alberta was led in scoring by TJ Wal with 21, but it was Deng Ngor with the big impact finishing with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Game #9 Nova Scotia 98 Saskatchewan 67 The first couple minutes looked like Saskatchewan's press would cause Nova Scotia problems but that was not the case. Nova Scotia turned Sask over 22 times and grabbed 23 offensive rebounds that just gave them too many extra possessions. The game broke open early in the 1st quarter and was never in doubt. Nova Scotia rolled 11 players and got huge numbers from their bench including leading scorer Jaxon Durando with 17 points and leading rebounder Deion Coward with 12 rebounds. Jesse Klinger led Sask with 16 points in the loss. Game #10 Manitoba 91 New Brunswick 79 Another very good game on Day 2 as New Brunswick kept clawing back and wouldn't let Manitoba run away with it. Manitoba got up by 10 after 1st quarter, then played even to half. New Brunswick made some runs in the 3rd quarter but Manitoba pulled away once again in the 4th. New Brunswick just couldn't stop Manitoba at the rim as they shot 55% for the game. Manitoba was paced with big games from their starters as Point guard Magnus Carlos finished with 31 points and 12 rebounds, he was joined by forward Settimo Yugu who added 21 points and 15 rebounds. New Brunswick was led by Colin Tilley and Jacob Christie each scoring 19, Tilley and Jack Gimby each pulled down 11 rebounds as well. Game #11 Saskatchewan 122 Northwest Territories 59 Saskatchewan regrouped this morning and flipped the script on their game yesterday, they turned NWT over 50 times and let it fly from deep. They shot an amazing 45 three point attempts and knocked down 22, for a crazy 48%. Sask's bench led the 3 point barrage Eston Glass shot 9/18 (30 points), Nick Khivrich 6/8 (24 points) and Ty Randall 5/12 (15 points). The Territories were again led by Robbie Turner with 22 points and Chimzigam Korie had an eye popping 16 rebounds to go with 10 points off the bench. Game #12 New Brunswick 66 Newfoundland 71 Another incredibly close and competitive game, that saw both teams take leads throughout the game. The defensive awareness was on display as both teams locked in on the others leading scorer and made it tough for them to get any sort of a rhythm going, until Lucas Mate finally got loose to knock down the game winning 3. Newfoundland guard Ryder English filled the stats sheet again finishing with 23 points and 9 rebounds, and teammate John Purchase adding 17 points and 14 rebs. Colin Tilley had a heroic effort in the loss with 25 points and14 rebs. Game #13 Quebec 84 Manitoba 65 Another highly competitive game that saw both teams take 10 point leads. Quebec came out in the first half attacking and using their athleticism to get to the rim and generate a lot of fouls on Manitoba. Despite being in bonus early in both the 1st and 2nd quarters, Quebec allowed Manitoba to hang around with only a 6 point lead at the half. Manitoba made some incredible adjustments at the half and held Quebec without a point for the first 4:30 of the second half. This gave them a 10 point lead but the 4th quarter was all Quebec, they settled in on defense and got out running which Manitoba could just not match. Quebec was led by the uber-athletic backcourt once again, Kalan-Jameer Leith has 22 points, 4 rebs and 4 assists. Promise Nlandu also really impacted the game with 9 steals to go with his 13 points. Manitoba had a balanced attack with both Settimo Yugu and Bruno Van Bewer each with 13 point and big man Crue Gard grabbing a game high 12 rebounds. Game #14 British Columbia 93 Nova Scotia 83 The final game of Day #3 was another display of the great talent we have in Canada. BC got out to a lead and Nova Scotia kept narrowing it all game but any time they got close, BC was able to pull away once again by shooting an incredible 56% from 3. British Columbia was again led by the incredible backcourt, Justin Hinrichsen had 22 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists. Toren Franklin chipped in with 15 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Ben Dale once again did everything he could for Nova Scotia with 35 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assist. Game #15 Nova Scotia 83 Northwest Territories 43 NWT once again struggled to finish shooting 23% from the field but have put in all the effort they could to compete but Nov Scotia was too deep end. Nova Scotia was led by Deion Coward who made his first start of the tourney and scored 16 points with 5 rebounds and 4 assists. NWT once again was led by Rex Turner, who may be the hidden gem of this tourney for USport and CCAA coaches, with 19 points and 5 rebounds. Game #16 Manitoba 83 New Brunswick 71 It is becoming a theme in this tournament that these games are very competitive. This game was within 5 points the whole way until the end when Manitoba knocked down a couple late. Both teams hustled and got on the floor for lose balls all game, but Manitoba had more size and were able to get to the free throw line regularly and that ended up being the difference in the game (Manitoba was 15/27, New Brunwick 6/10). Manitoba was led by Liam Jaro with 26 points including 5/8 from 3, Magnus Carlos added 17 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Colin Tilley came up big again for New Brunswick with 20 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Game #17 Alberta 98 Saskatchewan 57 After their OT loss to Ontario, we were waiting to see how this highly skilled Alberta team would respond and it didn't take very long. They came out using their size advantage and finished everything in the paint and cleaned up the boards. They outrebounded Sask 37-19 and never gave any doubt that they would be moving on. Saskatchewan was able to knock down 3's and make some runs but Alberta minimized those. Alberta's big men went to work as they led the scoring, Patrick Anamali had 24 (10/11 from field), Deng Ngor 11 points (5/6), Daniel Chijoke 12 (5/5) and Aleksander Popovic 12 (5/7). On the Sask side, it was once again Eston Glass firing away from long distance hitting 5 of his 13 attempts and finishing with a game high 16 for Sask. Game #18 Ontario 102 Newfoundland 62 In the last quarterfinal game, Newfoundland came out of the game firing and shocked the juggernauts from Ontario. Newfoundland hit some big threes and through the first 5 minutes the game was tied. Ontario settled down and used their superior size and athleticism to start slowly taking over the game. They outrebounded NFLD 44-23 and shot an amazing 64% from the field as they pulled away to the easy win. Ontario was led by Phoenyx Wise this game, he dropped 20 points on 9/11 shooting. Caleb Roberts had 15 off the bench. Ryder English started hot and finished with 17 points, Ethan Berry came off the bench for 12 points. Game #19 Nova Scotia 94 Saskatchewan 75 Nova Scotia came out hot building a 9 point 1st quarter lead before Sask came back to only be down 4 at the half, but 37 point 3rd quarter put the game out of reach. Nova Scotia came prepared for the shooters on Sask and held them to just 4/18 for 22%. Nova Scotia was led once again by Ben Dale with 24 points and 9 rebounds, his teammate Oliver Nadeau chipped in with 20 points hitting 5/12 3's. Sask's leader today was Faisal Mahadi who filled the stats sheet with 22 points, 4 rebs and 5 assists. Game #20 Manitoba 86 Newfoundland 61 Manitoba had a plan and just slowly build their lead until they exploded in the 4th quarter to put Newfoundland away. They did their prep and took Newfoundland star Ryder English out of the game by limiting the amount he had the ball. They also did a great job rebounding the ball with a 54-39 advantage. Manitoba got a huge game once again from Settimo Yugu off the bench his 23 points and 14 rebounds led the way while Paul Ogeweno chipped in with 18 points on 4/7 shooting from deep. Lucas Mate continued to score the ball well leading Newfoundland with 15 points. Game #21 New Brunswick 108 Northwest Territories 39 Another tough shooting day for NWT as they made just 22% of their shoots and combined with 34 turnovers, they just couldn't put it together today. New Brunswick on the other hand shot 51% from the field to secure the win. New Brunswick was again led by their dynamic duo of Jacob Christie with 27 points and 5 steals, and Colin Tilley with 20 points, 5 rebs and 5 assists. Jonathan Aine had a game high 11 points for NWT. Game #22 Ontario 81 Quebec 66 Quebec took full advantage of their day off yesterday and came in ready for Ontario, they used a zone to limit Ontario's penetration and knew where the shooters were throughout the half. Ontario went into halftime down 4 points, but coach must have said something that inspired when they came out in the 3rd. The aggressively pressed Quebec and turned them over for 32 points in the quarter. The fourth quarter was much better for Quebec but they couldn't put together the run they needed to stop Ontario from advancing to the finals again. Sami Uraz led Ontario with 15 points and 7 rebounds, but once again Jordan Charles filled the stats sheet with 13 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals. Quebec's Promis Nlandu continued to show that he is an elite prospect finishing with 21 points and 8 rebounds Game #23 British Columbia Alberta British Columbia came out firing in the first half moving the ball effectively and finding open shooters, hitting 8 of their 15 Shots from behind the arc allowing them to open a 13 point lead at halftime. The end of the 3rd quarter saw Alberta make their run to get them game within 4 points, fueled by several big dunks and a long contested 3 by TJ Wal. The 4th quarter saw BC settle down and once again use ball movement to get great shots every time down the floor. BC effectively only used 6 players but to show how well the moved the ball, all 6 scored in double digits. Logan Stewart with 23, Dorian Glogovac 20, Toren Franklin 16, Frank Linder 15, Tyler Felt with 13 and 15 rebounds and Justin Hinrichsen with 11. Alberta also had 5 players in double digits led by Deng Ngor with 26, Daniel Chijok added 10 rebounds in the loss. Game #24 Saskatchewan 114 Newfoundland 66 Saskatchewan came out wanting a win to end this year's national tourney and took a 29 -13 lead in the first quarter. Newfoundland played a strong second quarter putting up 27 points but that was really their only bright side, as they committed 42 turnovers for the game. Saskatchewan was led by Tommy Olsen's 21 points, Eston Glass continued to show that he is an elite 3 point threat hitting 6/13 for another 20 point game. Jesse Klinger 12points and 9 rebounds, Moe Osman 10 points, 10 assists and 5 steals and Faisal Mahadi added 11 steals. Newfoundland was led by Jacob Shepard with 13 points and John Purchase adding 12,points and 12 rebounds. Game #25 Manitoba 83 Nova Scotia 72 Consolation final and both teams came out ready to play, matching baskets in the 4th quarter it looked like we would have another close game, but Manitoba Outscored Nova Scotia 28-12 in the 2nd quarter and Nova Scotia could not get the lead back again. Nova Scotia was aggressive and drew 20 fouls to shoot 34 foul shots but it still wasn't enough. Manitoba was lead again by Settimo Yugu with a impressive 25 points and 15 rebounds, and Magnus Carlos With 20 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. Nova Scotia's guards led their attack, Ben Dale had 21 points and 12 rebounds and Deion Coward Scored 21 to go with 5 steals. BRONZE MEDAL GAME Alberta 82 Quebec 77 Both teams came out ready to play seemingly putting their respective semifinals losses behind them and ready to grab the bronze medal. The first quarter saw each team trying to establish their game plan, Quebec moved the ball and looked to find open 3s against Alberta's long rangy defense and Alberta trying to get to the rim and finish with dunks whenever they could. Both had success as Alberta led by 2 after 1st quarter and Quebec up 2 at the half. Both teams went back and forth in the 3rd and we had a 1 point game going into the 4th. Quebec knocked down a couple big 3s to open the quarter but Alberta answered to keep the game close. Down the stretch Alberta was able to extend their defense and force Quebec into tough shots and grab the rebounds. Quebec tried to foul but Alberta was almost perfect from the line (18/20) and sealed the bronze medal All the players in this game played well and I highly recommend that college coaches scour this tape for prospects. Alberta were led by their big 3, TJ Wal with 33 points and 9 rebounds, Deng Ngor with 18 points and 10 rebounds, and Patrick Anamali with 12 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks. Quebec was led by Kalan-Jameer Leith with 24 points and 8 assists and Promis Nlandu with 21 points. GOLD MEDAL GAME Ontario. British Columbia BC came out just like they played in the semifinals, moving the ball and finding open layups and shots. At the end of the first BC led 29-18 with 9 assists on 10 made baskets. The 2nd quarter saw Ontario speed the game up with aggressive trapping and attacking the basket early and often, cutting the lead to just 4 by the midway point of the quarter. A 3rd personal foul on Mahliq Guiseppi-Kitson slowed the run for Ontario, allowing BC to hold on to a 44-43 lead at the half. The 3rd quarter started with Jordan Charles being more aggressive but BC making just enough shots to keep game within 3. Midway through the quarter, BC big man Tyler Felt picked up his 4th foul, but his teammate Toren Franklin got hot to help BC take a 69-65 advantage into the final quarter. Midway through the 4th Caleb Roberts hit back to back 3s and then was fouled on a 3 attempt, making all 3, Ontario goes up 83-80. Fouls catch up with BC with just under a minute left, they lose Logan Stewart, and are down 89-87 after the foul shots. Ontario make their free throws the rest if the way and win the gold medal 93-87. Ontario was led by Mahliq Guiseppi-Kitson with 18 points and 9 rebounds. BC's leaders were Toren Franklin 27 points, 7 rebounds and 4 steals. WRAPUP The prospects that played in U17 competition are just an example of the bright future that we have in Canada basketball and why we are such firm believers at The Maple Minute of RECRUIT CANADA. Watch for articles on all these amazing prospects and more as our team gets ready for high school and prep seasons. My Top 20 prospects from nationals (in no particular order) Jordan Charles - Ontario Phoenix Wise - Ontario Mahliq Guiseppi-Kitson - Ontario Quinton Ethier - Ontario Toren Franklin -BC Justin Hinrichsen - BC Tyler Felt - BC TJ Wal - Alberta Deng Ngor - Alberta Patrick Anamali - Alberta Promise Nlandu - Quebec Kalen-Jameer Leith - Quebec Ryder English - Newfoundland Jacob Sheppard - Newfoundland Faisal Mahadi - Saskatchewan Rex Turner - NWT Magnus Carlos - Manitoba Settimo Yugu - Manitoba Colin Tilley - New Brunswick Ben Dale - Nova Scotia