
The senior basketball team knows that defending its BC AA Championship will be no easy task. Coaches Wong and Ross decided that three weeks off was not an option so they organized an incredible trip to Toronto for the team. Here is Coach Wong's detailed report on a trip to remember:
Collingwood’s seven day tour of Toronto has taken the team's ceiling to new heights. A jam-packed adventure full of camaraderie and competition. After arriving late on January 5th, here is a recap of our trip:
Day 2
I had my first of 6 Classic Bagel Belt Sandwiches from Tim Horton’s. While delicious, I vow to return to my daily Venti Pike Place with a splash of half cream at Starbucks on January 14th. The team is treated to a lunch at the coveted Chick-Fil-A. Coach Ross even takes home extra sauce. Brek B rates the burger a 9/10. A true extending mark from one of the team’s food aficionados.
Team practice takes place at St. Michael’s College at 2:30pm. A historic school, founded in 1852. That’s older than Canada itself. It’s clear from the get-go that St. Michael’s is full of history. Canada basketball legend, Leo Rautins, is among the prestigious alumni along with over 100 NHL hockey players, a current Canadian World Junior, Sam Dickinson, and Tim Horton’s himself. We are greeted before we even enter the facility by "Rocky". He awaits us and takes us to Athletic Director, Alex Frescura. The welcoming atmosphere from the staff and curiosity from the St. Michael’s students is apparent.
Practice is rough. Zone press attack and quick hitters were forgotten over the winter break. The team is also adjusting to the Wilson game ball – having packed Baden’s and practiced with Molten’s for the past two months.
We learn the Metro system and return to the hotel in preparation for the Raptors vs. Bucks game at Scotiabank Arena. Peter H. reluctantly dawns my Scottie Barnes jersey, hoping to get it signed. Team advisor, Howard Kelsey, has been instrumental in getting the team early access to the game. We are allowed in an hour and a half early to sit courtside and watch the warm-up. Tony L. is instantly mesmerized at being steps away from Damian Lillard. Right away Raptors commentator, Paul Jones comes by to warmly greets us, shaking each of our hands. He details the warm-up process which includes video analysis, player combinations, stretching, shooting routines. Leo Rautins meets us next. A legend, he was bombarded with autograph signatures in our time with him. I am impressed with his keen interest in our team. Our tour guide lets us know that we have to go to our seats shortly. Turns out she is from the North Shore and roommates with legendary Collingwood field hockey star Kelsie Stephenson.
It was a rough game for the Raptors. Down big early, highlights included Harry B. hoping for Brook Lopez to get a fifth rebound. Regardless of the outcome, the arena is full of energy, and watching Giannis Antetokounmpo get a triple-double with be a standout memory. Bucks win 128-104.
Day 3
Collingwood alumni, Tanner Jackson ’22, meets us at Dundas Square to show us around downtown Toronto, and in particular, the TMU campus. Tanner was a starter on our 2022 team and is currently the Captain of the TMU Rugby Team. His well-orchestrated tour took us all through the campus, highlighted by the old Maple Leaf Garden that is now their Athletic Facility. The team watched the end of a TMU Basketball practice, and toured the weight-room, and hockey rink. After the tour, the boys visited Eaton’s Centre and some of us ate at Shake Shack.
Collingwood took on St. Michael’s College in an exhibition game. Wiping off rust after not playing since December 18th was a top priority. A strong first quarter, tied 22-22, quickly evaporated into a 20+ point lead for St. Michael’s. Collingwood closed the game on a 25-4 run, but came up short, losing 71-67 in a friendly.
The team wrapped up the day with a team dinner at Jack Astor’s.
Day 4
Coach Amde from the University of Toronto, alongside a team manager, took the team around the U of Toronto campus. The Goldring Centre had a world-class weight room and a gym state of the art basketball gym. Athletes got to see the Rotman School of Business and other key parts of campus.
The day was highlighted by a trip to Fort Erie to play their International Team. Arriving at 1:30pm, Collingwood got an hour pre-game workout. Fort Erie players trickled in, and it was clear that the game was going to be challenging. The opening tip pitted 6’3 Jake McAdam with a 6’11 Fort Erie athlete.
A tight game all the way through, Sam Li was a force. He drained 8 three-pointers, and finished with a game-high 30 points. Amir M had 18, and Finn M scored 10. Jake M and Sam L drained key free throws to seal the win, 69-63. Fort Erie is a top Prep Academy in North America. Multiple NCAA I bound prospects and commits were in the building to watch the game. It was right up there with the fastest-paced games I have ever been a part of coaching.
Day 5
Collingwood was pitted in Pool B against Holy Trinity from Oakville and George S. Henry from Toronto – both perennial powerhouses in Ontario. Holy Trinity came out on fire, scoring 30 points in the first quarter. Note quarters are only 8 minutes. In the second quarter, Holy Trinity extends their lead to 17 points. We continue to shoot well but are having issues defending the size of Holy Trinity. Jake M is out with a sprained ankle. Collingwood attempts to close the lead. Spark the comeback. Brek B. takes on the 6’5 forward from Holy Trinity. He’s on fire. The crowd chants his name. His energy in infectious. Collingwood presses with 4 mins to go. Still down 77-70 with under 2 minutes to play, we pull off the unthinkable, closing on a 13-0 run for an 83-77 win. Brek stole a ball off their inbound and finished it with a lay-up. The crowd was stunned. Amir M scores 29 points, and Sam L has 26, including 7 three-pointers.
Less than two hours after an emotional win, we took on George S. Henry – a school full of athletes from Toronto. Their quick guards gave us trouble right away, and Collingwood was not able to gain a lead. In fact, trailing by double digits in the 4th quarter, we knew winning our pool was a long shot. Queue the comeback 2.0. A determined team, Amir M scored 22 second-half points. Tony L. sank two clutch 3’s. Louis D. was the spark-plug, diving for loose balls, hitting 3’s and, and grabbing rebounds. Collingwood trailed for 31 mins and 40 seconds. With 21 seconds to-go, Amir got fouled, trailing one. Amir hit both free-throws. Collingwood holds off George Henry. Final score 72-71. Finn M had another strong game, with 13 points, and Harry B sank three 3-pointers. What a game. Collingwood wins their pool and advances to the semi-finals.
Day 6
Recovery day. Well, sort of. First, an early morning practice that Mr. Larisch graciously set us up to practice at the coveted OVO Centre – Raptors Training Facility. It was hands-down the best court we have ever played on. A world-class facility, players were excited to shoot on the NBA three-point line, try-out the future 4-point line, and see what it’s like to be an NBA player for a day. They were gifted a tour to see everything from the NBA Trophy, the hot and cold recovery tubs, and an everything nutritional fridge.
Collingwood spent the afternoon at the outlet malls and visited the iconic Niagara Falls. Coach Ross spends some much needed time at the outlets. The team wonders if she buys Coach bags because she is the coach. She could have spent the whole day, but it was Niagara Falls time. For many of us, it was our first time there. We watched Finn M and Jake M show their baseball skills by throwing snowballs into the falls.
In the evening, Collingwood watched U of Toronto vs. Carleton. I ran into Collingwood alumni, Faraz Damji ’14, who was at the game. He is doing his residency at the U of Toronto. Starting point guard for Carleton, Aubrey D-H, is a North Shore alumni. He said a quick hello to our team at the end of the game and demonstrated why he is one of the best point guards in Canada.
Day 7
We were the winners of Pool B, and faced the winner of Pool D, Urusline College. An Ontario powerhouse, Ursuline was a recent finalist in the AAA Ontario Championships. Fun fact, they competed years ago in the No Regrets Tournament, when it was branded as the North Shore Invitational. We come out on fire. Best first half of the year. He are hitting every open shot. We go up 20+ after the first quarter, are up a staggering 56-20 at the half. What is more incredible is that we are playing 8 minute quarters. Ethan A and Peter H make key defensive contributions. Harry B has a brilliant 2nd quarter, scoring 12 of his 14 in the frame. Finn M. finishes with 16. Collingwood rolls to a 91-51 win.
A re-match is set to take on St. Michael’s College in the finals. The trophy is named at Leo Rautins. A different tone is clear from the get-go. St. Michael’s defensive physicality resembles a top AAA BC team. Think Oak Bay or Vancouver College. #5 quickly targets Sam L and does his best to shut down Sam, whose shooting has been a story of the tournament. Quick foul trouble causes us to go deeper to our bench than planned. Sam La steps up big, as does Louis D. A tight back-and-forth game, Collingwood manages a two-point lead going into halftime, 44-42. St. Michael’s #12 is a force in the low block. His offensive rebounding proves challenging. He ends the game with 39 points. Collingwood does what we have done all tournament. We don’t give up. A fight to the end that leaves the fans singing our praises. St. Michael’s wins 78-67. We represented BC well, and look forward to returning in future years. We also hope that teams from Ontario come to visit us for the No Regrets Tournament. The trip to the Six was a 10/10.
- Athletics