Tec Voc High School today released the details on the 37th Annual Winnipeg Invitational Tournament and will take place February 8 to February 11 at Tec-Voc. This exciting tournament pitches top local talent against the best teams from across Canada and the Northern United States. Most of our local teams have been ranked in the top ten in Manitoba; 4 out of our 7 local teams are currently ranked in top ten. Follow all the tournament results in our nightly Scoreboard report or download our mobile app. For full team write upas and schedule...W.I.T. OFFICIAL WEBSITE
Other high school tournaments are bigger and some have been around longer, but none match the Winnipeg Invitational Tournament for the combined package of quality, tradition and prestige. In 1974, a small group of basketball crazy coaches and teachers conceived the idea for WIT. When it made its debut two years later, WIT was immediately the crown jewel of high school hoops.
The first four years of the event featured an American team and the tournament was actually known as the Winnipeg International Tournament. In addition to American teams, WIT now hosts teams from Nova Scotia to British Columbia. Over time, the Winnipeg School Division became less involved in the tournament and Tec Voc High School took it under its wing.
While there’s no questioning the calibre of basketball WIT has provided, equally impressive is the job Tec Voc has done in playing host to the event. The many students, teachers, and volunteers assist in putting on a spectacle that includes banners, photos, video, internet statistics, half time events, and so much more.
The WIT guest of honor this year is Earl Barish. Earl was one of the owners of the Winnipeg Thunder and Winnipeg Cyclone. He was also the first president of the IBA basketball league. He is a total supporter of sports in Manitoba. He is also known as the creator of Dickie Dee ice cream.
A special guest of the tournament will be Greg Bouchard. He has been a long time tournament organizer, coached in the tournament and also played in the tournament.
There will be many other activities throughout the tournament including a three point sharp shooting contest, and of course the Chicken Delight “Lord of the Rim Dunk Contest” at half time of the final game on Saturday night.
There will be a media room in the gymnasium with score sheets available at any time. The tournament program and a schedule has been included with this press release. Once again W.I.T. live stats will be available over the internet. We will also be web casting our games live on the internet. Follow the action at our website: www.tecvoc.ca. If you have special times, addresses or numbers that you would like to be called at or emailed, please let me know.
Just a quick note: The final will take place Saturday February 12 at 6:00PM.
Team Previews
The number three ranked team in the province is Sturgeon Heights. The Sturgeon Heights Huskies are a perennial powerhouse in high school basketball having been to the final four 7 of the last 8 years. Led by head coach Stephen Tackie, the Huskies will once again be in the thick of things come March. Look for the Huskies to play a strong team game, feeding off the unbridled enthusiasm of their head coach to compete for this year’s WIT championship. Players to watch include Patrick Mark, Vince Munoz, and Zach Regert. Patrick is a multi talented player. He is a solid defender and team leader. He has the ability to play multiple positions and is a very good three point shooter. Vince is an explosive point guard who can shoot from outside or get to the basket. He acts as an extra coach on the court, he can always be heard talking to his teammates. Zach is the Huskies big man in the paint. He has great hands which make him an excellent rebounder. He also has a nice touch around the basket, and is currently averaging 15 points per game.
The number six ranked team in the province is Garden City. The Garden City Fighting Gophers come into WIT as one of the top teams in the province this year. They have already captured the Wesmen Classic championship and will look to add the WIT trophy to their mantel. Head Coach Phil Penner’s teams are traditionally hard working and fearless and this year’s Gophers are no different. Look for the Gophers to play a strong disciplined defensive game. On the offensive end, if they get hot from the outside they will be very tough to beat. Players to watch include Andre Arruda-Welch, Josh Magpantay, and Jonas Tugade. Andre has taken his game to the next level this year. He can play inside and out, is a great rebounder and has the ability to create his own shot. He is one of the top players in the province this year. Josh is a solid guard who controls the offence and is not afraid to drive to the hoop. He is also one of the teams better defenders. Jonas is a very good outside shooter and teams will have to keep him from heating up.
The number seven ranked team in Manitoba is St. Paul's. The St. Paul’s Crusaders return to WIT as the defending champions. This year’s team returns 1 starter and 6 players from last year’s championship team, so look for them to make a run at the title again this year. Typically the Crusaders rely on a strong post game for their success. This year they also have strong perimeter players who provide great balance at both ends of the court for head coach Jeff Laping. Players to watch include Theo Deezar, Evan Pollard, and Ty Cranston. Theo is a quick athletic post that can control both the offensive and defensive boards. He also runs the floor very well and will try to score easy baskets in transition. Evan is another athletic post for the Crusaders. He has the ability to play either back to or facing the basket. Ty is one of the perimeter players that complements the inside games of Theo and Evan. He is a lengthy wing player who has a good feel for the game and what the Crusaders need to do to be successful.
The number eight ranked team in Manitoba is Kildonan East. It’s been a few years since the Kildonan East Reivers participated in the Winnipeg Invitational Tournament but with a talented roster from top to bottom it was a no brainer to invite them this year. They are a very athletic group led by head coach Jeremy Martin. It has been a dream of Coach Martin to have his team play in WIT so you know they will be ready for the opening tip. Kildonan East, as we have said, is a fast, athletic team that will play aggressively at both ends of the floor. They love to play defense and rebound. Success this year will be a result of 13 players working together to achieve one goal. Players to watch for include Tyree Gordon, Abo Conteh, and Ivan Griffiths. Tyree is a lightning quick guard with the ability to get to the basket or shoot the three. He is a very good defender and can rebound from the guard position. Abo is a 6’2 forward who is athletic and strong. He provides leadership to the team, as well as a strong presence on the glass. He is also a very good defender. Finally, Ivan is a powerful guard who can provide offense by scoring or distributing the basketball. He is difficult to keep off the glass at both ends of the court.
Another outstanding local team is Sisler. The Sisler Spartans have been regular participants at WIT for the last few years and with their exciting up tempo play it’s easy to see why. This year’s Spartans led by Head Coach Scott Martin will be no different. They will rely on aggressive man to man defense and strong play from their dynamic guards to reach the WIT final. Sisler will also let a few fly from beyond the arc during the tournament as they will look to use the three point shot to sink their opponents. Players to look for are Paulo Medina, Mikko Branzceld, and Victor Nguyen. Paulo is a grade 12 guard who will lead the three point attack. He currently leads the team in three point field goal percentage. Mikko provides the team with a strong veteran presence both on and off the court. He acts like an extra coach on the floor. Victor is the Spartans best defender and will often be matched up with the opposing team’s best player.
Another terrific local team and a major rival to the Hornets is Daniel Mac. Last seen in 2004, the Daniel McIntyre Maroons make their long awaited return to the Winnipeg Invitational Tournament. During their absence from the tournament, the Maroons have kept a consistent basketball program that has been competitive in league play and play-off action.. Under new coach Jason Poponne, the team is looking sharp and taking on the challenges of an extremely competitive league. Setting high expectations, Poponne carefully selected this year’s roster in hopes to work towards that one common goal. Being a young team with a never quit attitude, look for the Maroons to play an up tempo style of basketball. Players to watch for are Mohamed Alor, Deang Capuno, and Jurrell Reyes. All are athletic individuals who work extremely hard on both ends of the court, and posses a leadership quality that the rest of the team looks up to. Although DMCI may be an extremely small team, they are quick. Fast feet, being aggressive and playing tenacious defense is the driving force to Maroons basketball.
The tournament’s local favourite and home team is Tec Voc. Fan favorites, the Tec Voc Hornets play some of their best basketball during the cold days of February at the WIT. Coach Contreras is counting on this again as the underdog Hornets look to make a run at the some WIT hardware. The Hornets are a feisty bunch who will play an up tempo game on offense and defense looking to push the pace in their favor. Although the majority of their roster will see playing time, players to look out for are Jonah Cabanit, Gulane Sulub, and Riley Guinto. Jonah is a grade twelve guard who leads the Hornets in scoring. He can knock it down from long range, get to the basket to score or set up a teammate. He does a great job of pushing the ball in transition leading to easy baskets. He is also a very good rebounder from the guard position. Gulane is the Hornets big man in the middle. He is the backbone of their defense, always rotating in to protect the basket. He leads the Hornets in rebounding both on offense and defense. His inside game provides a nice balance to the perimeter play of the Tec Voc guards and is as a vocal leader on the court. Riley is Mr. Do it all for Tec. He can score, defend, rebound, and play multiple positions. Riley has a great understanding of the game and what the Hornets need to do to be successful.
Again, this year, the out-of-town teams are outstanding.
Currently in second place in Thunder Bay is Sir Winston Churchill. The Sir Winston Churchill Trojans are back again this year to make another run at the WIT Championship. Coming off a season of an impressive 12 wins and 3 losses, the Trojans have established a true basketball presence in the SSSAA league. Behind Brandon Mykyta who was named tournament all star in 2 tournaments and is currently playing for Lakehead University. The Trojan’s finished 2nd overall in the City/Regional championships, achieving an overall play-off record of 2 wins and 2 losses. Establishing particular ground roots, and gaining elite level basketball experience, the Trojans look to compete in the finals again this year. They are young but eager to learn and have advanced quickly. Leading this young team is Kurtis Heidrich who is a 6’1 lock down defender. Quick feet and never quit attitude on defense makes this young man a sure leader on this team. Beside Heidrich, coach Corey Keeler looks to his post Rory McConnell a grade 12 player with good court vision and soft hands for leadership and experience.
Once again the Winnipeg Invitational Tournament welcomes the St. Ignatius Falcons. For the fourth consecutive year, the Falcons look to be competitive on both ends of the court. Lead by head coach Dino Bouset the team had a sluggish start to the season. However, since then, with the addition of two new coaches; Matt Erdman, and Mark English the Falcons have turned things around to become the basketball team they need to be. They have won 6 out of their last 8 games. Having 9 returning players and 3 starters coming back, the Falcons have depth and experience at hand. Also, with the addition of two players from the junior team who were selected to play on the Thunder Bay Blaze city rep team last spring, the Falcons are sure to make every possession count. Look for Matthew Quarrel to handle the ball and shoot from the outside. Nathaniel Murray who is one of the top post players in their league, who plays a physical game that wears down most opposing post players under the basket. Finally look for Max Anderson who is lightning quick at the guard position who can defend the perimeter and possesses the highest vertical in the city.
After an 8 year absence from the Winnipeg Invitational Tournament, the Peterborough Raiders make a return to the Hornet Dome to compete for the tournament championship. Playing and competing in the Kawartha district / Central Ontario, the Raiders placed 3rd out of 12 teams, finishing the season with a 15 win and 10 losses. According to coach Rick Nelson although being young, the accomplishments of the junior team last season has given them a starting point in which coach Nelson is excited to build on. Coach Nelson anticipates competing well in league and in Kawartha. He has 4 players returning and 2 returning starters. Key players to look for are Joey Cornisit, Cam Elliot, and Elyas Hassan. Joey Cornisit is a returning senior who has an all around game. Being the captain of the team, look for Joey to be well involved, and see how leadership is displayed not only by voice, but by action. Cam Elliot is another player to watch. He is a junior moving up who has the uncanny ability to shoot the lights out when he gets hot. Also look for Elyas Hassan a quick point guard that can handle the ball well and see the floor with great vision. Being on its final year of being a school, it is an historical season that these young men will be playing as the second oldest school in Canada will be closing in September 2012. The doors may close in June but the memories of the school will live on for years to come.
WIT 2012 Schedule
