Pre-season AAA Power Rankings

Last Updated Nov 20, 2005

Will update this on a weekly basis, most likely every Sun. Think your team should be higher, or included in the Power Rankings?? Send me an take at BCSportsFanatic@yahoo.ca As this is pre-season there will be a lot of movement in the next few weeks/month. Will be following tournament play and league play closely from week to week.


01. Handsworth Royals (1)
Not entirely sure whether Handsworth is really a #1 team, but should be #1 based on the talent that they have. Sacre, the Leigh brothers and Keast lead the way. We'll find out soon enough in the NSIT and HSBC tournaments in the next few weeks.

02. Brookswood Bobcats (2)
Brookswood will become #1 should Handsworth struggle out of the gate. Malish and Bath will overpower most opponents. Picking them to win the HSBC, key game will be against Centennial in the Quarters.

03. Claremont Spartans (3)
The Spartans are primed to cleanup the Islands. Janzen and Casey are a dynamic duo. Waiting for more game action to see where they rate.

04. Kitsilano Blue Demons (4)
The Blue Demons will be a lot quicker than last year's team. Woodham, Cochran, and Nurse will play uptemo style. Played well at the Maple Ridge Tip-off, beating Fox, Pitt, and Ridge. Need to make Semis at HSBC to stay top 5.

05. Centennial Centaurs (5)
The Centaurs look to open the season with a bang. Starting 5 is probably the most balanced in the province in Pineda, Sauciuc, Balic, Loehle and Samra. Big Quarterfinal matchup vs Brookswood at the HSBC. If they win it all, they will move up.

06. Saint George's Saints (6)
Will be lots of debate about this one as the Saints should be top 3. But I figure Bol Kong has missed a lot of the summer and fall training months and could be out of basketball shape to start the season. Will need to give him a month or so to get going. Watching the Saints last year, Bol was a major part of their offense and defense, so there will be some short-term pain. We'll see how good they are in the HSBC.

07. Terry Fox Ravens (7)
The Ravens maybe rated a little high here, but they have the talent and a game-breaker in Murray to win a lot of games. Early season action in the Maple Ridge Tip-off saw Fox lose all their games to Kits, Pitt and Ridge. Not participating in the HSBC, may drop from here.

08. Pitt Meadows Marauders(8)
Final word is that Plumb is in Minnesota. Still, the Marauders are a tough team with Pelton and Gatner. Lost to Kits and Ridge but beat Fox in OT at the Maple Ridge Tip-off. Also not participating in the HSBC, could also drop from here.

09. Killarney Cougars (9)
All about Tony Otim. Should be even better in his Senior year. No reports on early season action. 2nd best team in Vancouver League behind Kits. Rated in top 10 based on last years strong season, could drop if they struggle early.

10. Oak Bay Bays (10)
Defending Island Champions. Lots of experience, but not enough talent yet to be ahead of Claremont. First action will be at NSIT.

11. MEI Eagles (11)
Return Smith, Loewen, and Toews. Will be very competitive in the FV East.

12. West Vancouver Highlanders (12)
Football players are done, ready to focus on Basketball. Not sure about the coaching situation, rumors about some issues there. First action will be at the NSIT, big first game vs Burnaby Central.

13. Kelowna Owls (13)
Underestimated team. Juniors went all the way to the Provincial Final. Frelick, Myroon, and Kmyta lead a young athletic squad. Will probably drop from here early on but will pick up as season goes on. First action will be at the NSIT.

14. GP Vanier Towhees(14)
Calvin Westbrook, enough said. Decent supporting cast, contending for 3rd in the Islands. First action will be at the NSIT.

15. North Delta Huskies (15)
Good size in Hatch and Bains. Guards are talented but young, may lack Varsity experience.

HM: Hugh Boyd, WRCA, Argyle, Burnaby Central, Wellington
Boyd is led by Alex Smith, will most likely win Richmonds. Jordan Mara is good, just not as good as his brother yet, WRCA will still fight for what they can get. Argyle is young, but could contend, new coach. Central has some talent in Satari, also a new head coach. Wellington could be the best of this bunch, returns Carver and McCann.