With the completion of the 2026 version of the Simcoe County Boys' Basketball All Star game on April 7th, the curtain closes on another successful and entertaining high school basketball season that included three OFSAA medals for GBSSA ... Maple Ridge girls repeated as "AAA" Champions, Nouvelle Alliance girls brought home the "A" Sliver, and Nottawasaga Pines boys brought home the "AA" Silver! As former long time coach, organizer, and now a referee, I had a front row seat to the action, and would like to publicly "shout out" to the men and women coaches who selflessly sacrifice time away from their loved ones that the "Hoopers" of GBSSA have a platform to showcase their product.
It was a very exciting season!
Working backwards in 2025-26, the most recent expose of talent took place thanks to the Varsity Program of Georgian College, hosts of the 2026 Boys' All Star game, who generously donated the court time, staff, and jerseys for the event. Schools from around Simcoe County were represented, sometimes by multiple athletes, and the quality of the game was top-notch, much to the delight of the fans and supporters! If you missed it, you might be doubtful about the outstanding level of local talent, but I'm standing on my soapbox proclaiming their "Oh My!" level.
How would you know Steve, you might ask? I had the best seat in the house when I was honoured to have been assigned to officiate the game along with fellow Wasaga Beach'er Craymer Forth. I'm not the only one though, and Grizzlies head coach Chad Bewley confessed how excited he was by the 2026 class, many of this year's participants on his radar for recruiting.
Congratulations to Nottawasaga Pines SS Coach Mario Ivakovic-Jovie, also a BDABO member, for bringing an OFSAA Silver medal back to Simcoe County at the "AA" championships in Renfrew. After being seeded #11, NPSS suffered a jittery opening round loss to #9 seeded CW Jefferys (North York) 52-76, but rebounded to outpace their opponents to earn a berth into the final by besting #6 seed Smiths Falls 56-49, #3 seed Lo-Ellen (Sudbury) 73-67, and #2 seed St Joan of Arc (Toronto) 57-49. In the championship against #4 seed WC Kennedy (Windsor), tired legs and spent emotions resulted in short-armed shots that clanged off the rim, eventually leading to a 46-67 loss and a Silver medal. To the best of my knowledge, this is the first OFSAA medal for NPSS, and the team should be extremely proud of how they represented themselves, their school, and GBSSA.
Although the girls' basketball season seems so long ago, the smiles on the faces of two GBSSA teams has not faded. Powerhouse Maple Ridge cemented their claim as one of Ontario's premiere programs by successfully defending their OFSAA championship, a rare double in high school sports. The pressure was different for the 2025 version of the Ravens after being seeded #1 overall, following their 2024 seeding of #7 where they surprised some with their run all the way to the gold, but they tested their meddle besting #11 St Max Kolbe (Aurora) 77-23, #7 Notre Dame (Welland) 71-22, #8 Frontenac (Kingston) 49-32, and #5 AB Lucas (London) 45-30 on the way to the championship victory against host #2 St Patrick's (Sarnia) 49-37. Coaches Tutty and Laronde and building a program worthy of praise with many of their players signing with CIS schools for next season.
After being seeded #3 overall, I think it's fair to say that many in Barrie's basketball community were curious how the Tornades would fair, but victories over #14 Ursula Franklin Academy (Toronto) 50-18, #8 Seed ESC Horizon (Val Caron) 67-47, #6 seed Nicholson (Belleville) 63-50, and #2 seed Ange-Gabriel (Brockville) 38-33 earned NA a place in the final against Woodland Christian School (Bresleau). Unfortunately, they ran out of gas, Woodland winning 73-29. Shout out to long time NA coach Jérôme Garceau for continuing the winning ways for the Tornades!
With all admitted bias, if you're not out there on the sidelines at Simcoe County's high school games, you're missing out on some pretty impressive action. Along with the coaches named in this article, a massive pat on the back to the teachers/EAs who are making school more enticing and enjoyable for the county's young athletes! I know it's a labour of love, and that you do it for all the right reasons, but seriously, thank you for all you do!
I'll make sure to submit all of your names to your respective Boards for a well earned raise!
Thanks for the update coach and thanks for your hard work over all these years. You are right, basketball in the area has always been competitive but the depth has never been this good.
ReplyDeleteI have tried to get out and see games but finding game times and locations difficult. Between the Catholic and Public Boards, the websites are not particularly helpful. However, I shall persevere, get out next year to cheer on my Fighting Owls and perhaps, on occasion, from the safety of my perch atop a bleacher, across the floor and down the court, contest an out of bounds call or two.