Young Denison squad joins top cagers after sparkling start
By John Cudmore

However, they may not be asking the question much longer as the Dr. J.M Denison Huskies begin to stake out their turf as a force in York Region Athletic Association hardcourts in seasons to come.

Denison took the first step toward recognition by slam-jamming perennial power Sacred Heart Crusaders by 18 points prior to the Christmas break to gain a spot among the top four YRAA high school teams for the 2009 portion of the season.

The Huskies are set to tip off in a division with the defending regional champion Vaughan Voyageurs, St. Theresa Lions and Milliken Mills Knights, all unbeaten winners in the YRAA's divisional zone play, when the season resumes this week.

The Huskies and Lions clash Tuesday afternoon in Richmond Hill.

With a 12-player roster that features seven Grade 10 students, it appears the Huskies day to howl may await down the road. For now, however, it is a chance for the young pups on the team who could easily be competing at the junior ranks to learn more about themselves.

"Even if we lose every game, at least we will learn to play the game at a higher level," said Huskies head coach Brent Evans, who opted to form a varsity team to compete in the senior ranks. "They're getting very excited to be playing the top teams. We're very glad we didn't go to junior. We needed the challenge and got it."

At one point against Sacred Heart, all five Denison players on the floor were junior-eligible by age.

"It looks very promising for us," said Evans. "Our guys have always wanted to play the best teams. No one knows Denison for boys basketball. When we try to get into the big tournaments everyone says, 'Denison? Who's that?'"

The Huskies are 12-3 overall, including 6-0 in YRAA league play this season so far, with a championship from a tournament at Maple High School to their credit.

Count the Huskies among supporters for the new scheduling format adopted by the YRAA this season for boys basketball. In it, teams find their own skill level through a two-phase system covering the first month of the season.

"It's great for us," said Evans. "Otherwise we wouldn't be able to play these teams. The Vaughans and (Markham area teams) play at a different level than most of the teams up here."

In a few weeks, the Huskies will be vying for a berth in OFSAA at the triple-A level which means defending regional champion Vaughan Voyageurs stand in the way.

"It'll be tough for us to get to OFSAA," said Evans. "But our future looks bright."

- Warriors crack GTA roster

Huron Heights Warriors teammates Ben Thomson and Dan Boyes were among eight York Region high school players named to the Team GTA roster for Friday night's International Bowl High School All-Star Game at the Rogers Centre.

Thomson and Boyes, both offensive tackles, were the lone Warriors to crack the 44-player squad for the inaugural clash of the GTA's top players and an opponent comprised of high school players from Quebec high schools.

Defensive lineman Garet Dickinson of the Dr. G.W. Williams Wildcats was also named to the team.

Several members of the YRAA champion Warriors, including two-time league MVP running back Connor Anderson, did not participate in tryout camps.

The game was a lead-in to Saturday's NCAA International Bowl featuring the University at Buffalo Bulls and University of Connecticut Huskies.

Other YRAA players to make the squad included fullback Andrew Baillie, wide receiver Matthew Coates and defensive end Russell Winton-Dean, all from the Markham Marauders, Brother Andre Cardinals' wide receiver Cush Hibbert and defensive back Andrew Lue.