The hit-and-miss best-of-the-week feature makes another appearance before the two-week exam break. Here are some of the performances that caught my eye along with a couple that took place in the final of 2017.
Joel Izere, Père-René-de-Galinée: The versatile Grade 11 player — he does pretty much everything — continues to throw up big numbers for the Chevaliers in District 8 senior boys basketball play. In games last week, he scored 26 points in a win over Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 38 in a loss to Monsignor Doyle and 10 in a loss to St. Benedict. He has played senior basketball since Grade 9 and also plays volleyball at school. He plays basketball for the K-W Vipers.
Kanayo Nnadi, Eastwood: The fifth-year guard had an outstanding 33-point performance as the Rebels downed Grand River 87-77 in WCSSAA senior boys basketball league play. He also had a game-high 22 points as Eastwood defeated Southwood two days earlier. A former District 8 all-star at St. Mary’s, he will be a legitimate contender when it comes time to vote for the Mike Moser memorial award as league MVP.
Meghan Anton, Bluevale: The Grade 12 forward scored five goals in two games as the Knights defeated KCI and Preston in WCSSAA girls hockey. The dedicated student-athletes plays in the Provincial Women’s Hockey League for the Mississauga Jr. Chiefs and will continue her academic and hockey careers, on scholarship, at a Canadian university next year.
Tyra Boug, Huron Heights: The Grade 12 setter — who is also a strong server and hard hitter — did a great job of running the offence as the Huskies closed out the regular-season portion of their WCSSAA senior girls volleyball schedule with 3-0 wins over Glenview Park and Southwood. She also competes for the volleyball and track and field teams at Huron Heights and recently committed to the University of Guelph to compete for the Gryphons in track and field.
Jake Polski, St. Benedict: The fifth-year forward was named MVP of the Forest City Shootout tournament in London, leading the Saints to their third straight tournament victory. Polski was also tournament MVP at the Saints Invitational and at a tournament in Stratford. In District 8 play last week, he scored 25 points over previously undefeated St. Mary’s. A starter on last year’s team that finished second in Ontario, he will play a key role for a Saints squad that is trying to win its third consecutive District 8 title.
Maya Sokolowski, St. David: The Grade 12 power and team captain turned in a strong performance as the Celtics blanked Woodland 3-0 in District 8 senior girls volleyball league play. The humble leader plays with K-W Predators and Team Ontario outside of school and is a member of St. David’s track and field team.
Lauren Reycraft, Preston: A strong back row player, the Grade 12 left side/power hitter was strong on offence and defence as the Panthers improved to 11-2 in WCSSAA senior girls volleyball league standings with wins over Jacob Hespeler and Southwood. She was a WCSSAA all-star last year and has played club volleyball with the Guelph Jr. Gryphons and Cambridge Scorpions.
Brennan Gerrard, Grand River: The Grade 10 goaltender recorded back-to-back shutouts over KCI and Waterloo-Oxford in WCSSAA boys hockey league action. The hard-working player, who plays MD hockey in Kitchener, has been honing his skills in the Hockey Focus course at Grand River that is instructed by Renegades head coach Scott McCulloch.
Emma Mulhall, St. David: The Grade 11 defender turned in a strong performance as the Celtics topped St. Mary’s 3-2 in District 8 girls hockey league play. She plays for the Waterloo Ravens midget ‘AA’ team outside of school and has played lacrosse for the K-W Braves.
Two swimmers caught my attention prior to the holiday break. Let’s give them their recognition now.
Kingsten Leu, Bluevale: The Grade 9 student recorded three first-place finishes at the WCSSAA swim championship to win the junior boys division and lead the Knights to their fifth consecutive overall team title. The former Region of Waterloo Swim Club member said soccer is his favourite sport — he’s a Manchester City fan — and he also skis, plays golf and ultimate Frisbee.
Nathan Stecho, Resurrection: The Grade 11 student had three first-place finishes to win the open boys division at the District 8 championship and lead the Phoenix to the overall title. He trained with the Club Warriors in the past and is involved with drama at Resurrection, having recently performed in a murder mystery dinner theatre.