How 'bout dem Jags?

I've written recently about March Madness, that annual fanaticism surrounding the sport of basketball, but something happened that begs a piece of my mind be thrust out into the cyber-verse, and it happened to three guys that I happen to be very proud to call friends. Even if you're not a basketball fan, you have to acknowledge that when local folks do something special, it makes for a great story.

Some say that high school sport is just 'fun' or 'exercise', its place in education is on the fringe because it really doesn't matter all that much, but go ask the Senior Basketball team at St Joseph's HS if they feel that way! You'll have to shield your eyes, though, because that gleaming gold medal around their neck competing with a thousand watt smile will light up your conversation like a super nova!

Ladies and gentlemen, your 2024 AA OFSAA Champions, the St Joseph's Jaguars!

While success on the hardcourt is not a sometimes thing at STJ's, 2024 will forever be remembered as something special. The Jaguars have won A LOT of basketball games over the years that I've been paying attention, but this year's side had something just a little more special. Call it destiny, or the dice rolling the right way, or the luck of the draw, but you can't erase the fact that other than families or close friends, the #7 seeded Jags were a pre-tournament long shot to hoist the trophy, but hoist they did thanks to a double digit victory over Ottawa's Ashbury College. Watching the game from the comfort of my own couch thanks to today's streaming technology, I marvelled at the poise, skill, passion, and performance the Jags were applying in their hunt for the win. With the final whistle, the medals hung around their necks, the coveted OFSAA banner hoisted, the 2024 Jags became the first boy's basketball OFSAA champions in school history ... at least I think that's true. 

As a local BDABO referee, I was blessed to have worked a few of this team's games this season, steeling an already healthy appreciation for their abilities and their coaches. These kids can play the game at a very high level, but what really made them different was their belief in each other and their coaches, a belief that shone through the mists like some majestic lighthouse. Like all championship teams, the sum of their parts was greater than the whole, evident in the fact the playing rotation went 10 deep, their engine barely sputtering as new personalities took to the task. Don't misunderstand me, they have elite players who were the crux of their success, but in this old fart's view at least, it was the support players who made the difference. 

Coaches Drew Taylor, Pat Dooley, and Paul Zyla have accomplished something special, deserving of any and all accolades for the job they did this season. Of course, it's been a long time coming, and certainly isn't a fluke.

From the years when my BCC teams and Harold Regan's STJ teams regularly clashed, I've known Drew Taylor and Paul first as an opponents, then as members of my Barrie Royals teams, but it's their tireless work as leaders of basketball programs in Barrie that begs attention; Drew at STJ and Paul at St Peter's. When Paul made the jump to admin, becoming a VP at STJ, their formidable talents joined, a union that goes a long way to explain this team's success. Both young men have my deepest respect, my undying kinship, and my extreme pride for the coaches they've become. 

Pat Dooley and I have known each other for over 20 years, having coached against each other in GBSSA play when he was the life-blood of the program at St Thomas Aquinas. Forged in the fire of both our Uber-competitiveness, a friendship emerged born out of mutual respect for the passion and commitment we bestowed upon our schools. Following his retirement, 'Dools' offered his sizeable abilities to STJ and quickly made an impact on their program. Leading the way with the Jr team, and supporting/mentoring Drew with the Sr's, he can claim a healthy portion of this championship. 

Of course, even with coaching talent as profuse as STJ's, it's the players that are largely responsible for wins, and this team was laden with talent! I readily recognize the key players, but I don't know them much, other than to say hi or give a high five, but they have earned my respect for the way they play the game, compete, and conduct themselves. I would venture a guess that more than a couple will earn spots on post-secondary rosters as they continue to chase their hoop dreams. 

In a neat twist of fate, the starting PG, Ryan Harris, is the son of Jeff Harris, the Varsity Coordinator at GC State who has become a good friend through my time with the men's basketball and rugby programs. The starting SF is Logan Forsyth, son of Drew and Ali Forsyth, who are dear friends from my BCC days.

In the end, what's done is dusted, and nobody can take away anything from their OFSAA Championship. While I truly hope that's not the end of their winning ways, the fact remains that owning an OFSAA Gold medal is a VERY exclusive club, and to coin a Bruce Springsteen ditty, they'll be reliving their "Glory Days" for years to come.

As a former coach, teacher, GBSSA exec, and longtime hoops fan, it's a warm fuzzy moment when local kids do well, and I'm forever grateful that I was able to have a front row seat to watch it unfold.

Congratulations again St Joe's!
I couldn't be happier for you all!