In Toronto high school play, 16 of 18 teams in the TSSAA refused to play in the loop’s ‘A’ division, claiming that Oakwood coach Al Quance had drawn players from around the city. In protest, they refused to suit up for games against the Barons.
OFSAA again used a five-regional format to determine qualifiers for the final eight.
In the Toronto Metro regional quarterfinals, the Oakwood Barons clocked the Neil McNeil Maroons 91-32 as Andrew Steaman scored 17 and Leon Bynoe 17. The Maroons included Joe Miched, Ron Christiani, John Mich, Gary Shaw, Noel McIntyre. …………………………………………………… The St. Michael’s Blue Raiders clubbed the West Hill Warriors 78-52 as Ron Kaknevicius scored 16. The Warriors included Tom Fugedi, Scott Brown, Arthur Alajajian. …………………………………………………… The Runnymede Redmen stomped the North York Boylen Bullets 89-60. The Bullets included Remo Quattrociocchi, Carlos Quattrociocchi, Bernie Applewaite. …………………………………………………… The North York George S. Henry Lions clocked the Etobicoke Kipling Wildcats 83-60 as Lawrence Coombs scored 17 and Mike Borowski 16. The Wildcats led 41-40 at the half. Ian Troop led the Wildcats with 15. Wildcats forward Frank Spagnolo told the Globe & Mail that “when your mind is on exams, you can’t think about games.” Wildcats coach Gene Moher said “Henry had the same problem we did. They write exams too. … It was just a case of them outplaying us and outrebounding us.” The Wildcats also included Mark Hopkins, Ian Richardson, Enzo Spagnolo, Ron Fischl. …………………………………………………… In the semis, the Oakwood Barons bombed the North York George S Henry Lions 71-44. The Lions included Cliff Taylor, Rob Berg, Lawrence Coombs, Don Bill, Mike Borowsky. …………………………………………………… In the other semi, the Runnymede Redmen dusted the St. Michael’s Blue Raiders 63-49 as Bo Pelech scored 33. Redmen coach John Petruschak told the Globe & Mail, “I’ll be honest. I wasn’t sure we could win. St. Mike’s beat us twice in tournaments this year and they were playing better as the year went on. When my five started play as a team like they did tonight, there is no better team.” Leo Rautins led the Blue Raiders with 18. The Blue Raiders (coached by Dan Prendergast) also included Tom Dejak, Vince Buozia, Danny Odorico, Pat Davis, Tony Pulice, Ron Kaknevicius, Nat Morlando, Hugh Cheetham, John Piccininni and John Mihevc. …………………………………………………… In the final, the Runnymede Redmen whipped the Oakwood Barons 65-45 as Bo Pelech scored 21 and Enzo Simone 21. The Redmen led 33-25 at the half. “Bo has to be the best two-way player in Canada,” said Redmen coach John Petruschak. “I expect him to score at least 20 in each game.”
In the West regional quarterfinals, the Guelph Centennial Spartans clipped the Windsor Assumption Purple Raiders 64-50 as Brian Ray scored 36, Dan Pavlicik 12, Ray Wilson 12, Myer 4 and D Ray 2. Centennial coach Al Beirnes told the Kitchener-Waterloo Record that “we did a good job on defence and that’s encouraging.” Brian Hogan scored 12 to lead the Purple Raiders (coached by Jack Hool). Len Kane added 10, Augie Lefferi 8, Cliff Robinson 7, Mike Harris 7, Comuzzi 4 and Courtney 1. …………………………………………………… The Tillsonburg Glendale Griffins dumped the Brantford St. John’s Green Eagles 60-44 as Dave Coulthard scored 27, Jon Goosens 8 and Brian Gilvesy 8. The Griffins led 14-9, 30-20 and 43-26 at the quarters. Bob Fitzgerald paced the Green Eagles with 16. Dave Polischuk added 10. Green Eagles coach Frank Petrella told the Brantford Expositor that his troops were “tight” early. Then “they took advantage eof our atteps to steal the ball and made easy baskets to pull away.” The Green Eagles (coached by Petrella) also included Gregg Blaha, Pat Powers, Pat Campbell, Mike Hubbert, Paul Barron, Paul Nezoil, Rick McKinnon, Rob Bulanda, Jamula, Paul Wright and O’Leary. …………………………………………………… The Windsor W.D. Lowe Trojans stomped the Kitchener Eastwood Rebels 72-32 as Mike Brkovich scored 24, Don Brkovich 12, Dan Borelli 10, Ric Wells 10, along with 12 boards, Ken Smith 9, Paul Banks 4, John Demarco 2 and Brad Smith 1. Gerald Flatt scored 13 to pace the Rebels. Mike Richert added 12, Brian Totske 3, Paul Liddle 2, Art Sonnenberg 2 and Jeff Garrett 1. The Rebels (coach John McKenzie) also included Konrad Wall, Dave Wylie, Alex Mustakis, Bob Goerta, Eric Manahan and Newell. …………………………………………………… In the last quarterfinal, the Waterloo Collegiate Vikings dispatched the London Banting Broncos 59-48 as Tom Kincaid scored 15, Tim Harrold 13 and Rick Zellers 11. Harrold scored 7 of the Vikings points in the final two minutes of the affair. Vikings coach John Zdrahal told the Kitchener-Waterloo Record that “I’m pleased because we controlled the tempo of the game.” John Hayden led the Broncos with 22. …………………………………………………… In the semis, the Windsor W.D. Lowe Trojans whipped the Waterloo Collegiate Vikings 64-42 as Mike Brkovich scored 16, Don Borelli 15, Ken Smith 12, Don Brkovich 8, Ric Wells 7, John Demarco 4 and Paul Banks 2. Rick Zellers led the Vikings with 12. Paul Bean added 12, Jeff Karasek 7, Tom Kincaid 5, Tim Harrold 4 and Pete Wagner 2. The Vikings (coach John Zdrahal) also included John Brogee, Mike Dumbroff, Nemesavari. …………………………………………………… In the other semi, the Guelph Centennial Spartans spanked the Tillsonburg Glendale Griffins 54-38 as Brian Ray scored 21, Dan Pavlicik 21, Gibbons 4, Harris 2, Myer 2, Omrod 2 and Wilson 2. Dave Coulthard led the Griffins with 14. Horvath added 6, Goossens 4, Gilvesy 4, Englender 3, Freund 3, Bossy 2 and Bridle 2. …………………………………………………… In the final, the Windsor W.D. Lowe Trojans clubbed the Guelph Centennial Spartans 73-47 as Don Brkovich scored 21, Ken Smith 18, Mike Brkovich 14, Ric Wells 10, Brad Smith 4, Tar Franzoi 3, Dan Borelli 2 and Paul Banks 1. Brian Ray scored 20 to lead the Spartans (coached by Al Beirnes). Wilson added 8, Dan Pavlicik 6, Dan Ray 5, Gibbons 4, Kelly Vig 2 and Dunn 2. Spartans coach Al Beirnes told the Kitchener-Waterloo Record that “they have a super zone press and we just couldn’t handle it, especially after Dan (Pavlicik) picked up those three fast fouls in the first half.”
In the East regional: …………………………………………………… In the semis, Peterborough clipped the Ottawa Brookfield Blues 64-56 as Bernie Dracup scored 28, Rick Kasender 19 and Mike West 10. Peterborough broke to a 10-0 lead and led 32-24 at the half. Brookfield rallied no closer than four. Peterborough coach Dave Goulding told the Ottawa Citizen “I guess Brookfield sort of fell asleep in the opening minutes. But I was impressed the way they came back. I thought we were going to choke. With our lead, we decided the zone was best. We weren’t going to scoot around after them.” Rick Powers led the Blues with 21. Al MacDonald added 9 and Dan McDonald 9. The Blues also included Don Carmichael. …………………………………………………… In the other semi, the Lisgar Lords clocked Cornwall 65-43 as Jamie Pitfield scored 14, Tom Cholock 14 and Dave Armstrong 12. Lords coach Larry Hale told the Ottawa Citizen that “we’ve played like this most of the year. But it worries me. We get in front and then we coast. One of these days, we’ll coast right out of it.” The Lords led 17-16 after one quarter and 39-20 at the half. Mike Rousseau paced Cornwall with 13. Rory McCormick added 12 and Glenn Dick 10. …………………………………………………… In the final, the Lisgar Lords dispatched Peterborough 62-50 as Tom Cholock scored 17. Peter Hadwen added 12 and Matt Hadwen 10. The Lords led 27-24 at the half. Bernie Dracup paced Peterborough with 27. Peterborough (coached by Dave Goulding) also included Rick Kasender, Mike West.
In the North regional: …………………………………………………… In the semis, Sault Ste. Marie Sir James Dunn dispatched Thunder Bay Lakeview 51-44 as Tom Buchan scored 13, Gary Maunu 11 and John Kutkevicius 9. Lakeview led 43-42 with 3:30 to play but Kutkevicius hit two free throws and Buchan a layup as Dunn pulled out the win. Dino Gini led Lakeview with 24. …………………………………………………… In the other semi, Sudbury Secondary whipped the Thunder Bay Westgate Wings 68-50 as Ned Janjic scored 20. …………………………………………………… In the final, Sudbury Secondary stomped Sault Ste. Marie Sir James Dunn 54-35 as Rick Potter scored 16. John Kutkevicius led Dunn with 17. Paul Christian added 8. Dunn coach Dick Joy told the Sault Star that “we didn’t start well (a 20-2 deficit). We did everything we want to do but score.”
In the South regional: …………………………………………………… In the quarterfinals, the Hamilton CI Cougars clipped the Niagara Falls Stamford Hornets 66-55 as Fred Boychuk scored 18 (also reported as 6) Tom Lazich 16, Jim Hoyle 14 and Sheldon Balberman 10 (also reported as 14). Cougars coach Mike Flynn told the Hamilton Spectator that “we couldn’t put full-court pressure on them in the first half because we had to score some points to get in the game. But the pressure defence worked in the second half. We changed the tempo of the game with our defence. Stamford is a ball control team and we just threw them off balance.” Murray Mateyk led the Hornets with 16. John Kulik added 14, Chris Bain 8 (also reported as 11), Al McMurtrie 6, Ben Nicks 6 and Wayne Moroz 2. The Hornets led 16-8 after one quarter and 30-25 at the half. The Cougars led 44-42 after three quarters. The Hornets (coach Bob Coull) also included Emil Brewer (who left the team midseason). …………………………………………………… The Niagara Falls A.N. Myer Marauders torched the Burlington Nelson Lords 79-46 as Jay Triano scored 22, Terry Rigg 18, Tom Brittain 10, Doug Allen 9, Frank Roberto 7, Ted Bishop 6, Rick Rampado 4, Bil Chow 2 and Vic Pizzicarola 2. The Marauders led 23-8, 39-20 and 60-31 at the quarters. Kim Johnson led the Lords with 18. Bob MacDougall added 8 and Jim O’Brien 7. The Lords (coach Jim Noble) also included Brom Drost, Scott Taylor. …………………………………………………… The Oakville T.A. Blakelock Tabbies stomped the St. Catharines Denis Morris Redmen 87-46 as Tom Heslip scored 18, Steve Nero 12, Steve Atkin 12 and Don Gambacort 8. The Tabbies led 22-9, 40-25 and 54-36 at the quarters. Sharunas Gveradys led the Redmen with 15. Tim Tronzo added 10 and Mark McLean 6. The Redmen (also included Andy Bajc, Paul Phelan, Al Miaddaleng, Rino Dimaruizzio, Gary Pizale, John Riordan, Kawula, Natale, Dave Graffi, Schall, Riordan and Critelli. …………………………………………………… In the last quarterfinal, the St. Catharines Governor Simcoe Redcoats dispatched the Hamilton Westmount Wildcats 82-56 as Dan Radzowski scored 18, Kerry Lichty 17, Harry Van Laar 14, Doug Fast 10, Doug Peters 8 and Eric Hilton 8. Fenzo Farranato paced the Wildcats with 14. Jude Kelly added 13 and Adrian Warner 12. The Wildcats (coach Jim Schram) also included Bob Phillips. …………………………………………………… In the semis, the Oakville T.A. Blakelock Tabbies clipped the St. Catharines Governor Simcoe Redcoats 71-62 as Tom Heslip scored 19, Steve Atkin 14, Chris Heaver 12 and Mike Voelkner 11. The Tabbies led by as many as 17 but the Redcoats rallied to within 4 before Blakelock iced it at the line. The Tabbies led 38-29 at the half and by 50-33 in the third quarter. The Tabbies led 61-52 after three quarters but Dan Rzadkowski hit three buckets and two free throws, while Doug hit a 15-foot jumper and two free throws to trim the margin to 66-62. But the Redmen rally faltered when Kerry Lichty, Rzadkowski and Harry Van Laar got in foul trouble. Dan Rzadkowski led the Redcoats with 18. Kerry Lichty added 12, Doug Peters 9 and Eric Hilton 8. The Redcoats also included Greg Moffat, Bud Sorely, John Oliver, Demita and Shand. …………………………………………………… In the other semi, the Niagara Falls A.N. Myer Marauders spanked the Hamilton CI Cougars 76-61 as Terry Rigg scored 25 (also reported as 24), Jay Triano 20, Tom Brittan 15 and Frank Roberto 12. The Marauders led 20-6, 40-24 and 59-46 at the quarters. Jim Hoyle led the Cougars with 18. Fred Boychuk added 12 and Tom Lazich 12. The Cougars (coach Mike Flynn) included Fred Boychuk, Jim Hoyle, John Bond. …………………………………………………… In the final, the Niagara Falls A.N. Myer Marauders nipped the Oakville T.A. Blakelock Tabbies 79-78 as Jay Triano scored 34 on 14-20 from the floor, Tom Brittain 17 (also reported as 19, Ted Bishop 12 (also reported as 10) and Doug Allen 12 (also reported as 10) and Rick Rampado 4. The Tabbies led 20-19 after one quarter and 42-40 at the half. The Marauders led 60-54 after three quarters. The Marauders led 78-71 with a minute to play but Chris Heave hit a perimeter jumper and Tom Heslip an and-one, as the Tabbies cut the margin to 78-76 with 23 seconds to play. Tom Brittan hit a free throw for the Marauders. Heslip responded with a bucket for the Tabbies. A Steve Nero bomb at the buzzer to win it rimmed out. Tom Heslip led the Tabbies with 23. Steve Atkin added 16, Steve Nero 13 and Chris Heaver 10. Tabbies coach Vern Lucyk told the Niagara Falls Review that “Triano earned every one of his point and no player has done that much to us all season.”
In the provincial quarterfinals, held at London’s University of Western Ontario, the Toronto Oakwood Barons defeated the Oakville T.A. Blakelock Tabbies 66-53 as Andrew Sleaman, who’d broken a bone in his footer earlier in the year and who was starting in place of forward Mike Solomon, who was suffering from pneumonia, scored 20, including six of his first seven shots. Derrick Lewis added 19. Steve Atkin led the Tabbies with 14. Steve Nero added 8, Dan Ferrone 8 and Tom Heslip 8. Tabbies coach Very Lucyk told the Hamilton Spectator that “we came out cold. We were getting shots in the first half but they kept hitting the rim.” The Tabbies (coached by Luyck, manager John Stacey, manager Jay Lucyk) also included Tom McNally, Doug McCallion, Al Cameron, Chris Heaver, Dan Mills, Doug Forsey, Peter Smith, Mike Voelkner and Dan Gambacort. A separate team roster also listed Jeff Lethbridge, Mike Diciccio, Paul Hancock, Richard Bevington, Jeff Quick and Fred Murrell as Tabbies.
The Toronto Runnymede Redmen defeated the Ottawa Lisgar Lords 80-50 as Bohdan Pelech scored 29, George Schiraldi 18 and Enzo Simone 15. Tom Cholock paced the Lords with 23. The Lords (coached by Larry Hale, assisted by Lorne Bowles and managed by Tom Dunn) also included Gord Johnson, Matthew Hadwen, Al Wright, Dave Armstrong, Pat Blakeslee, Peter Hadwen, Ed Krzyayzanowski, Alan Resnick, Rick Morissette and Jaime Pitfield.
The Windsor W.D. Lowe Trojans defeated the Sudbury North Stars 82-56. The Trojans looked lethargic early, trailing 18-15 and shooting poorly, but Ric Wells caught fire and rallied Lowe to a 40-23 lead at the half. Don Brkovich led Lowe with 25. Ken Smith added 14, Mike Brkovich 13, Ric Wells 10, Brad Smith 5, Paul Banks 5, John Demarco 4, Dan Borrelli 4 and Tom Johnson 2. The Trojans hit 16-22 from the line. Ned Janzic led the North Stars with 27. Carl Sudban added 19, Rick Potter 4, Simo Sormaz 2, John Crysta 2 and Jim McDonald 2. Lowe coach Gerry Brumpton told the Windsor Star that “we were a little lethargic early and our shooting wasn’t all that good. But we picked up the pace when Ric started hitting and I guess, overall, our shooting percentage may not have been all that bad.” Ric Wells said “I was able to get the shots I like out there, ones just off the baseline from the corner in.” The North Stars (coach Rod McHugh, manager Bil Samagalsky) also included Ned Gangic, Rick Owens, George Skakavak, Rick Wolfram, Henry Ruszala and John Kari.
In the last quarterfinal, the Niagara Falls A.N. Myer Marauders dispatched the Guelph Centennial Spartans 70-51. Jay Triano led the Marauders with 25. Frank Roberto added 13 and Terry Rigg 11. Brian Ray paced the Spartans with 25. Dan Pavlicik added 18. The Spartans (coach Al Beirnes, manager Peter Riol, stats Sandy Grape) also included Gary Myer, Don Gibbons, Ray Wilson, Rob Dunn, Greg Harris, Mike McMurray, Neal Haverson, Rob Ormrod, Kelly Vig and Brian Tawse.
In the semis, the Windsor W.D. Lowe Trojans knocked off the top-seeded Toronto Oakwood Barons 61-57 by using its press to force 17 turnovers while committing only 11 themselves. In a close contest, Lowe went on an 8-2 run with the score at 49-48 to take the lead and completed a 13-8 run in the final seven minutes to ensure the victory. Lowe shot 11-14 from the line, while Oakwood was 3-7. Lowe was paced by Ken Smith’s 24 points, including 10-19 from the line. Mike Brkovich added 14, Don Brkovich 9, Ric Wells 8 and Dan Borrelli 6. Oakwood was led by Andrew Steaman 24, Leon Bynoe 12, Darryl Outschoorn 8, Norm Clarke 8 and Derrick Lewis 5. Brkovich said his teammates were determined to defeat Oakwood because “they are ranked the number one team in Canada. Now we are finished with all that garbage. We’re number one now.”
In the other semi, the Toronto Runnymede Redmen defeated Niagara Falls A.N. Myer Marauders 64-52 as Bluechardt scored 18, Simone 18, Bo Pelech 16, John Weatherup 6 and Schiraldi 4. Jay Triano scored 16 to pace Myer. Brittain added 8, Frank Roberto 8, Terry Rigg 8, Ted Bishop 7 and Rick Rampado 5. Marauders coach Paul Deeton told the Niagara Falls Review that “with a little luck, we might have had a good shot at winning the whole thing but there were so many good teams in the province this year, I think it’s an accomplishment to get as far as we did.”
In the bronze medal match, the Toronto Oakwood Barons v. the Niagara Falls A.N. Myers Marauders.
In the final, Windsor W.D. Lowe’s five starters played the entire contest as the Windsor squad defeated the Toronto Runnymede Redmen 62-56. Don Brkovich led Lowe with 31 points, including 12 in the first quarter, 10 rebounds and four blocks, while Ken Smith scored 11 and grabbed eight rebounds. Mike Brkovich added 10 points, Ric Wells 6 and Dan Borrelli 4. Runnymede was led by Bo Pelech 16, Schiraldi 12, Bluchardt 11, John Weatherup 8, Simone 5 and Cadeau 4. Windsor used a 23-8 run in the third quarter to build an insurmountable lead and Ric Wells contained Toronto star Bo Pelech in the second half, holding him to two points. The Trojans, who finished (40-2) on the season, used their man-to-man defence to pressure the ball on the perimeter. Runnymede coach John Petruschak later noted “our defence fell apart.” Windsor shot .450 from the floor, while Runnymede was .380. Windsor W.D. Lowe’s Jerry Brumpton said his players urged him to go to man-to-man defence in the second half and that proved the difference. “It hurt them. And it was the kids who wanted to go to that defence. If the kids are confident that they can do it and it will work, whatever it is, I’ll do it – I’ll change the strategy. I respect the kids. They make suggestions and I listen to them.” Runnymede coach John Petrushchak agreed, saying “they beat us at our own game. They switched to man-to-man coverage in the second half and it worked. Windsor was led by Don Brkovich, who scored 31, including all of his team’s points in the opening quarter. “Whoever is hot is the person who gets the ball,” he said. “I just happened to be hot.” Runnymede shot 100 percent from the floor as they built a nine-point lead at the half. Windsor W.D. Lowe became only the third school in 29 years to repeat as champions. After the season, Mike Brkovich inked a letter of intent with Michigan State, where he was a starter on the Spartans 1979 NCAA championship team.
The co-bronze medalist Toronto Oakwood Barons: Randy Padmore; Darrel Outschoorn; Mark Jones; Tony Ramondino; Michael Solomon; Ejidio Viselli; Norman Clarke; Drew Steaman; Jeff Hiscock; Leon Bynoe; Orest Sochaniwskyj; Derrick Lewis; Peter Rizackos; coach Al Quance; assistant Bernie Offstein; manager Tony Roman; manager Dino Gaudio; trainer Clare Exelby
The co-bronze medalist Niagara Falls A.N. Myers Marauders: Jay Triano; Tom Brittan; Frank Roberto; Terry Rigg; Ted Bishop; Rick Rampado; Vic Pizzicarola; Bill Chow; Jerry (Gary?) Venutolo; Will Janssen; Doug Allen; Tom Brittain; coach Paul Deeton; assistant Andy Potter; manager Dave Muir; manager Greg Buttrey
The silver medalist Toronto Runnymede Redmen: Bo Pelech; George Schiraldi; Cliff Bluechardt; John Weatherup; Enzo Simone; Mike Cadeau; Mike O’Hara, Dwayne Wesley, Myro Procyk, Lauris Grant; Ron Szcaepanowski; coach John Petruschak; assistant Bruce Mason; manager Ken Doyle; manager Ken Testlia; manager Vic Wiwchar
The gold medalist Windsor W.D. Lowe Trojans: Mike Brkovich; Don Brkovich; Ken Smith; Richard Wells; Dan Borelli; Brad Smith; Paul Banks; John Demarco; Tom Johnson; Roy Montaleone; Tar Franzoi; Bill Pignanelli; Enzo Piazza; coach Gerry Brumpton; assistant Ed Dragan; assistant Don Caswell; manager Sam Koutrois
Thanks to: Runnymede coach John Petruschak’s family for provision of the final eight tournament program