A brief but competitive and dynamic season of city hoops awaits us this winter.
Senior boys high school basketball launched across the province in November but the Vancouver public school league tipped of Monday. City coaches voted last spring to stray from the traditional two division (East and West) home-and-away format in favour of a two division single-game structure. This reduced an onerous 16-game schedule to eight games.
For teams at the top of the hoops hierarchy, this provides more room in their schedules for exhibition and tournament play. Its a new reality that has yielded some interesting and inconsistent results and begs the question: In this Chinese astrological year of the dragon, could this be the year of the King George Dragons?
City basketball is divided in two geographical divisions and the league as a whole can just as well be characterized by the separation of the have and have nots: teams that have a realistic chance to win a Vancouver championship and teams that have not.
This year there are four legitimate contenders. While Sir Charles Tupper and Kitsilano are popular picks for city hoops supremacy, King George has had outstanding tournament results and Sir Winston Churchill has the size and depth to compete.
Fans of Killarney and Point Grey will hope to see their hoopsters in the mix -- and they will be, but will likely lack the depth of talent needed to take home the big prize.
To win it all, you first have to get to the tournament. The top six teams from both the east and west divisions based on league play will compete for the city crown.
The showdown is hosted by Prince of Wales Feb. 13 to 17.
The city season may be shortened, but the league playoff still determines which teams advance to their AA and AAA regional tournaments where they look to punch a ticket to the B.C. championships.
With league play upon us, my season predictions follow.
East Division:
No. 1 Sir Charles Tupper Tigers
Coming off back-to-back city championships, Tupper is once again led by seven-foot Cam Smythe with a solid supporting cast, including guard Daniel Kim and power forward Gabriel Corpuz.
Smythe possesses the most impressive skill-set of any 7-footer in the province with his consistent outside shot, silky mid-range turnaround jumper, peripheral passing vision and foul-free shot blocking. Kim provides steady point guard play while Corpuz brings the beef and athleticism to rebound and score with options. Expect Tupper to play for a threepeat. Their recent 68-53 exhibition win over Kitsilano gives them early bragging rights.
No. 2 Killarney Cougars
Killarney impressed and overachieved as Grade 11s despite the transfer of their provincial team post player Jesse Mushiana to Churchill last year. The Cougars will rely on speed from lightning-fast backcourt duo of Anthony Lam and Jason Ip. Coach Rod Tanabe will motivate this group to send him into retirement with some proud memories.
No. 3 Windermere Warriors
Coach Jay Yano has one of the deepest and most talented teams in the city but is still trying to find some consistency and team chemistry to reach full potential. Grade 12 point guard Jason Pascual and forward Aiden Mottus will need to lead if the Warriors are to elevate themselves to the upper echelon.
No. 4 Britannia Bruins
An athletic and experienced group, the AA Bruins will rely heavily on former provincial team starting point guard Ibrahim Ibrahim who has shown an improved perimeter game, as seen in a 47-point night that included 12 three-point baskets.
No. 5 David Thompson Trojans
After an impressive run last season that saw the Trojans win multiple tournaments and big games at the Lower Mainland tournament, the Trojans are rebuilding. Forward Kanwar Grewal leads a group that is likely a year away from challenging the citys top teams again.
No. 6 John Oliver Jokers
Intense team play and the presence of post player Shaun Nguyen will help the Jokers compete for the last playoff spot in the East.
No. 7 Gladstone Gladiators
Grade 11 Gary Hui provides scoring options and stellar defensive play to a Gladiator team that has some size but lacks the experience and polish to play consistently. (Full disclosure: I coach the Gladiators.)
No. 8 Van Tech Talisman
The Talismen are rebuilding. Leading the team are the dynamic point-post Elvin Owusu-Ansah and shooter John Tzikas.
No. 9 Templeton Titans
Led by the exciting and intelligent play of point guard Alex Wong, the Titans hope for better but will struggle to compete after losing post Jacob Juras who transferred to King George. Playoffs are possible if the supporting cast steps up.
West Division
No. 1 Kitsilano Blue Demons
Kits is once again one of the most talented teams in the city and is currently ranked fourth in B.C. Led by the athletic cut-and-slasher David Burton and post Luka Zahorijevic, the Demons will be challenged by King George and Churchill in the West before an anticipated showdown against the Tupper Tigers who beat them in two consecutive city championships. Time will tell if their December trip to New York City will be the highlight of the season or if they live up to their potential by reclaiming the city crown on their way to provincials.
No. 2 King George Dragons
The Year of the Dragon? No question so far. King George has won all four tournaments its entered while also compiling an impressive pre-season 18-1 record. Team is the word that truly describes this group of players who show great tenacity and shoot the ball better than any team in the city -- if not the province.
Their starting five have all earned preseason all star recognition: Bilal Naqshbandy, Kristian Hildebrandt, Miguel Suarez, George Mija and Omid Toussie. City Champions? Not out of the question if their outstanding guard play and team defence can overcome a lack of post depth.
No. 3 Sir Winston Churchill Bulldogs
The Bulldogs are the biggest and deepest team in the city that can play a physical game. Grade 10 talent Mindy Minhas along with Nick Atwal both provide the perimeter scoring they need for their banging bigs to get scoring opportunities inside. Churchill is talented enough to win a championship but might have to do it as No. 3 seed in the West is they dont find consistent play. This is a young team to watch for as they mature.
No. 4 Point Grey Greyhounds
The Hounds are led by the multi-talented sharp-shooting lefty Andrew Mavety.
No. 5 Prince of Wales Walesmen
Forward Kyle Oliver leads a Prince of Wales team that has seen some early season challenges.
No. 6 Eric Hamber Griffins
This is the best Hamber team in several years and looks ready to get over the rebuilding hump to secure a playoff berth.
No. 7 Lord Byng Grey Ghosts
Former provincial team forward Allan Wu will keep the Ghosts in the playoff hunt but may not be enough to win without support.
No. 8 Magee Lions
The Lions are back after sitting out last season. Their guard play will help them compete for the last playoff spot in the West.
Steve Anderson is a community sports organizer and volunteer basketball coach at Gladstone secondary. Reach him at [email protected].
