2005 Christmas All-Stars
AAA
MVP - Rob Sacre, Handsworth Royals
It should be no surprise that Rob Sacre is the MVP so far in this early part of the season. Having watched the Royals on several occasions, it's obvious that Sacre is more than just the go-to guy. When they need a big play, the Royals go to Sacre. When the set play has broken down, Sacre bails them out. The Royals use Sacre in much the same way Shaq is used. When teams drop down to double Sacre, they kick out for the 3 pointer. When Sacre is not in the game, the team is ragged and it's clear the players are not sure exactly what to do.
1st Team All-Star
Rob Sacre, Handsworth Royals
As mentioned above, Sacre is clearly the most dominant big man in BC and possibly in the country. The biggest improvment for Sacre since last year has been his upper body strength. It's clear that Sacre made it a priority to hit the weights in the off-season to bulk up and it's paying immediate dividends. Sacre is on the verge of some very big things, I suggest you take a game or 2 live before he hits ESPN in a couple of years.
Jared Casey, Maple Ridge Ramblers
Casey really came out of nowhere last year to become a dominant force this season. He spent the off-season really working on his game and so far the results speak for themselves. He has already been named Tournament MVP several times and is single-handily leading a previously unranked team to top 10 and most likely top 5 in the coming months. Casey can play any of the 3 forward positions and bottom line is that he is a winner.
Bol Kong, St. George's Saints
The big question going into this season was whether Kong was fully recovered from the stress fracture he suffered in the summer. And if he has recovered, would there be an adjustment period. It's safe to say that Kong has answered all the questions emphatically by helping the Saints win the HSBC Classic. His height and incredible leaping ability give him such an advantage when playing against smaller guards and forwards.
Ty Nurse, Kitsilano Blue Demons
Nurse's plays the game well above his relative small stature and youthful appearance. Simply put, Nurse is the best pure shooter in all of BC. He has been dazzling in his multitude of 3 pointers from all over the court. On the defensive side, Nurse has some of the quickest hands I've ever seen, could be nicknamed The Glove 2. Nurse has led his Blue Demons to several top tournament finishes including 3rd at the HSBC Classic, and hitting the game winning 3 pointer to beat Handsworth at the NSIT. It's scary when you think that Nurse is only in Gr 10 and what awaits us in the future. If you're a college scout and you don't have his name, you've already missed the boat.
Alex Murphy, St. George's Saints
Last year was a learning experience for Murphy and the Saints. Not entirely comfortable with the lofty expectations, Murphy has upped the ante and gone all-in this season. Murphy is doing it all for the Saints, including scoring at will, finding his teammates, shutting down opposing point guards, and commanding his team as the floor general. When Murphy speaks, they listen. I was tempted to pick Murphy as the MVP, he is that good. At the end of the season, he may very well end up MVP, we shall see.
2nd Team All-Star
Paul Samra, Centennial Centaurs
Samra is the legitimate big man the Centaurs have been needing to complete the puzzle. With Samra's dominant play so far, the Centaurs have to be considered as the favorites right now to win the Provincials. Samra uses his height and football body to outmuscle his opponents in the post, on defense, and on the glass. Samra was named the MVP of the NSIT.
Chris McKay, St. George's Saints
Without McKay, the Saints lost the final game of their own tournament by 10+ to Centennial. McKay is probably the best player you've never heard of. He is a tenacious defender and aggressive post player. An excellent shot blocker, rebounder, with great touch around the basket. McKay does all the little things for his Saints that go unnoticed but help win Championships.
Brent Malish, Brookswood Bobcats
Started slow to begin the season but starting to heat up more recently. Has had some big games this year so far scoring 30+. A prolific scorer with a variety of moves in the post. Has added more upper body strength to bang with the big boys. Expect Malish to make a push for MVP by season's end.
Calvin Westbrook, GP Vanier Towhees
Along with Nick Adair, Westbrook is showing the rest of us that Vanier will be a team to be reckoned with this season. A lot of people talk about having "IT". Whether "IT" means clutch shooing, the killer crossover, mad hops, or quick hands, etc... Westbrook has "IT". One-on-one, he is simply unstoppable. If Westbrook catches fire at the right time, the Towhees may have just enough to beat Claremont to become Island Champions.
Niko Cochran, Kitsilano Blue Demons
Cochran is as true a point guard as they come. Not blessed with incredible quickness, nor exceptional athleticism, Cochran uses his unreal playmaking ability to help his team win. It hasn't been Cochran's scoring that sets him apart from his peers, it's his amazing court vision, and uncanny ability to find the open man. Along with his backcourt partner, Cochran and Nurse form a 1-2 punch that are unmatched in the province.
Honerable Mention
Forwards:
Paul Woodham, Kitsilano Blue Demons
Mac Fairbairn, Argyle Pipers
Graham Bath, Brookswood Bobcats
Lin Chang, Carson Graham Eagles
Guards:
Elvis Balic, Centennial Centaurs
Ryan Murray, Terry Fox Ravens
Tony Otim, Killarney Cougars
Eric Casey, Claremont Spartans
Elliot Rushton, Oak Bay Bays
Quinn Keast, Handsworth Royals
AA
MVP - Nathan Yu, Duchess Park Condors
Yu has propelled the Condors from unranked to a top 3 team in the province. Little brother of UBC starting point guard Jordan Yu, Nathan is the team's leader and top scorer. Duchess is easily the favorite to win the Provincials this year and the Gr 11 point guard is the main reason.
1st Team All-Star
Eric Williams, Hope Mustangs
With all the hype the Mustangs are receiving this season, Williams would have to have a big year. That is exactly what he has done. Teams have resulted to triple-teaming the big man in an attempt to slow him down. Williams has been named All-Star in several tournaments and was named MVP of the Pacific Academy tournament.
Michael Berg, Shawnigan Lake Stags
Berg has been putting up big numbers so far this season. A big power forward who can fill the bucket with the best of them. An accomplished post player and shot blocker, he is the anchor for the Stags in a so far disappointing season.
Denny Dumas, St. Thomas More Knights
Leading his Knights to a top 5 ranking, Dumas is an exceptional talent. Off the dribble, Dumas has a variety of moves and adding a consistent outside shot to his repetoire. Using the football in him, Dumas is a physical player who is unafraid of contact.
Connor Agnew, Prince Rupert Rainmakers
Leads his Rainmakers team to what should be another Provincial Tournament appearance. Not much is known about Agnew, but what is known is that he is an aggressive player who knows how to win.
Nathan Yu, Duchess Park Condors
The Condors have dominated the AA division and Yu is the floor leader of this team. Yu has been named an All-Star for several top AA tournaments so far.
2nd Team All-Star
Paul Burkeholder, Duchess Park Condors
The newest addition to the Condors has been an anchor in the middle. A big man with good post moves and a solid defensive play. As mentioned, the Condors are the favorite to win the Provincials and Burkeholder will be a big part of that.
Karol Cybula, St. Thomas More Knights
The Knights are looking very sharp to start the season and so has Cybula. A long lean frame allows Cybula to make plays in the middle.
Spencer Fyfe-Wilson, Ladysmith 49ers
The ultra-athletic power forward has been slowed by injuries and illness at the start of the season. A transfer and newcomer to the 49ers, Fyfe-Wilson will no doubt be a big part of the team as they make a run at the Provincial title. Incredible leaping ability and a wide body allow him to dominate the low block.
Cam Spurr, Lambrick Park Lions
Little brother of Charlie Spurr, Cam is leading his team back to another Provincial Tournament appearance with an impressive showing so far this season. Not much is known about Cam, but if he's anything like his brother, watch out.
Jesse Brown, Fulton Maroons
Another football/basketball star, Brown is a star on the court with his ability to get open and make plays. He has a variety of moves to burn defenders. Along with Levi Broadland, Brown should lead the Maroons to the Provincials as the top team from the Interior.
posted by BCSportsFanatic @ 5:44 PM
27 comments
27 Comments:
wheres anaiton branch, hunter jordan and blake poritz
if eric williams and mike berg are first team all stars, then Collignwood Post Jon Kemp-Gee has to be a first team all star as well. He single handedly shut both of them down on consecutive nights in the Collingwood tourney. He kept both of them under 15 points and was a rebounding machine.
Aneetan Braich..and Blake should be at least HM..
i dunno bout hunter hes not really carrying the team if his team makes it to the BC's then you can make a case
haha, paul is a good player, but i think that #8 kid is better, and he isn't the big kid in the middle, that's some bald kid, cam or cameron
wheres shamus from killarney?
Aneetan Braich should be an HM, you're right.
Collingwood Post is probably HM, don't know anything about him though.
Duchess Park
Paul Burkholder is a small forward
Cam Wharram is their post
Matt Foster (#8) is their shooting guard
I don't think Spencer Fyfe is doing well this year............he's mostly hype but theres a blond headed 6'4ish player on ladysmith that is very good
How is Eliot doing this year? What are his averages.......
I heard elliot doing good,,, apparently some all-starrs and around 20 a game. i think there team sucks tho
ya hes a good player, him and their point guard are really good but there team is brutal.
You whoever picked the first allstars are not up on your picks. Ty Nurse is a very good player but to put him ahead of Calvin Westbrook is absurd. Westbrook is head and shoulders above any guard there has been in this province since Steve Nash. Obviously basketball Canada agrees.
why isn't there HM for AA?
AAA First-AllStars were picked based on what each player has done so far in the season. I debated about Nurse and Westbrook but felt Nurse has done more for his team so far. Vanier is starting to heat up so I would expect Westbrook to rise.
I didn't do an HM for AA because the info on players in AA is spotty. If you want to recommend players, go ahead. I'll be sure to do more research on them and will add them on the next selection.
I completely agree with whoever said that, Westbrook is BY FAR the best guard in BC, and one of the best in the nation. No way should any guard make 1st team over him. Vanier has proved to be a top 10-15 team and a contender for the island championship, and they have this success almost completely because of Calvin's play.
MY AA honourable mention picks:
Shea Doyle - Westsyde Whundas
Brendan Smith - Sa-hali Sabres
Levi Brodlan - Fulton Maroons
Fulton's big man. name?
Ziggi - Cedar
Collingwood's post
Dylan Matheson - Westsyde Whundas
I know I missed A LOT because I haven't seen all of the top teams play. Add to the list!
u said Fultons big man... if he is in their then Duchess Parks big guy, cam wharam should be in there because he was far better and has a couple of all-stars already, the fulton big guys name is Dan Novakowski, also Matt Foster from Duchess, Jon Russel from DPTodd, also this other tall kid from Ladysmith is really good (not Spencer)
how come lucian s. is not even an honorable mention he is sick and is leading centennial in scoring he is a 3points machine
you got to be kidding me about the John Russel pick, best player on that team and probably one of the most underated players in the province is Bhupinder Johal.
Is Bhupinder the one who wears a turban? If he is then I think that I saw him last year, that guy is pretty good.
Hey sports fanatic, take a look at mission secondarys duo of big man Sam Steffich and point guard Devon Dhaliwal, Steffich plays insanely well down low while Dhaliwal can drain threes, drive, post up, whatever u want, maybe u should check them out
I think he usually looks at GOOD players on GOOD teams when he makes up these rankings. I've played Mission, that Dhaliwal kid is OK but their post isn't even very good. They may score quite a bit, but that is because the rest of their team sucks, someone has to score. That team is going nowhere so who cares about them?
Dhaliwal = ALMOST HM
who are you bro?
steffich takes after his brother john who plays down south and he is good, we have tons of players who get the job done, Jessie toor the brown guard, Joel Mitt, Our asian post SJ hwang is good too, what team you from? hope we get to play you, we might be a pretty underated team, and Dhaliwal isnt just OK hes unreal, try droppin 7 threes in a game against mei last year? how about droppin 43 points in a game against hansen?
Why don't they win any games then? What place are they going to get in their league? Are they going to ever get ranked? Will they make provincials? If they have such a star-studded line up why do they suck?
Eric williams is overrated. Don't get me wrong he's good but he's a lazy defender and in the couple games i've seen him it seemed to be the other guys on the team that held the team together. they have a couple good three point shooters and two guys who are great slashers who can shoot and dish out when necessary. their point guard is a little erratic at times but generally makes solid passes and can knock down the open shot. they are definitely dangerous when they're on their game.
hey. i play for hope. which games did you watch us in? if it was at the pacific academy tournament Eric was sick and was workin his ass off, so if it looked like he was playing lazy D it was probably because the guy was struggling to stay standing. he was solid and gets a lot of important blocks, not to mention points for us.
Ziggy Skagfeld should be first team allstar for AA thats a fact. Fyfe crashes the boards hard and can leap out of the gym, but I'd say the centre on Ladysmith is better. Ziggy should even be the MVP, if he had more of a supporting cast they could win it all again, but even so, they could potentially finish top 3, if not in the finals...
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