‘They are a major Goliath in this one and we are definitely the David — without the slingshot'
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| Sir Allan MacNab |
Here's how coach Dwayne Washington assesses the Saturday, Feb. 18 contest against Huntington Prep of West Virginia.
“They are a major Goliath in this one, and we are definitely the David … probably minus the slingshot,” he said before Friday's practice.
“We're looking at this as a learning experience. It's going to be beneficial for our whole team. It's a treat for us.”
Game time at MacNab is 5 p.m.
While defending champion MacNab rates as one of the best senior teams in the Hamilton-Wentworth Interscholastic Athletic Council, it's up against an impressive American opponent. Huntington Prep is currently ranked the fifth-best high school team in U.S. All of their players are NCAA Division I prospects, including five Canadians on the roster.
But the most dynamic Huntington Prep player of the bunch is 6-foot-7 small forward Andrew Wiggins, of Toronto. He's currently ranked the No. 1 sophomore in the U.S. by ESPN. Canada Basketball, on its website, says: “Andrew is one of the best prospects, not only coming out of Canada, but North America. He is ranked the best overall basketball recruit for his class in 2014 by ESPN.
“This isn't a surprise. When he played for Canada on the 2010 U17 Cadet Team, he was only 15 years old. He, along with Kevin Pangos and Anthony Bennett, helped Canada claim a bronze medal in the tournament. Andrew's best game in the competition was against the USA team (the eventual champions), where he scored 20 points, notched five rebounds and blocked two shots.”
MacNab will also be facing 7-foot-3, 290-pound centre Tanveer Bhullar, of Toronto, along with his Canadian classmates Xavier Rathan-Mayes, Negus Webster-Chan and 6-foot-10 Stefan Jankovic.
“I know the coach (Rob Fulford) and several of the players on their team,” said Washington, who coaches U-PLAY Canada travelling teams in the summer, and has worked with the CIA Bounce organization, of Brampton, (home base of some Huntington players) in the past.
“Andrew is a phenom. And he's Canadian, which is a bonus.”
The MacNab lineup includes a player who has also attracted the attention of Canada Basketball. He's Nolan Narain, the 6-foot-8, 205-pound Grade 9 student who plays for the MacNab senior squad. Narain is a product of R.A. Riddell Elementary School, where McMaster Marauders coach Amos Connolly used to direct the sport academy's basketball program.
“Nolan had the opportunity to play junior in high school, but based on his experience with the provincial team, he decided to make the jump to the senior level,” Washington said. “He's done a very good job for us. Nolan's coachable and has a lot of potential. He's very passionate, driven and hungry. I think he made a very good decision. I was hesitant at first, but it has worked out.”
According to Washington, a core group of players came to MacNab a few years ago and are starting to
blossom.
“When I first came to the school, a group of kids who are mostly in Grade 11 now, decided to come. They are doing very well. Nolan came as a result of the program being established by those guys.”
The current roster also includes Jordane Tello, Jon Ortiz, Daniel Dzierzawski, Nick Burke, O.J. Watson,
Francis Kiapway, Ryan Hare, Connor Crocker, Justin Vaughan, Andrew Boatnag.
The Lions are 8-1 in league play, tied with the Westmount Wildcats for first place in the Western Conference standings, entering the final game of the regular schedule. It's a showdown against the Wildcats, Monday at 3:30 p.m. at Westmount.
“Our core guys are all back for two more years after this,” Washington said. “We want to be provincial contenders by the time these guys are on their way out. Our goal this year is to qualify for Quad A OFSSA.”
One of the members of the 2010-11 Lions basketball team — 6-foot-7 Daryl Waud — helped the World Team defeat the United States 35-29 in football at the recent U-19 International Bowl in Austin, Tex. It's the first time an American squad has ever lost an international football game at the junior or senior level.
Normally a lineman, Waud also caught a pass from quarterback Will Finch, of Burlington, who completed 11 of 14 aerial attempts for 169 yards and two touchdowns.
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