By Darryl G. Smart
This week, TRC Academy Wolfpack announced its annual basketball awards.
The prep school based out of the RISE Centre in Brantford, had another successful season on the Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association.
The TRC Academy men’s basketball team posted a 14-5 record, and were in second place in the OSBA West Division.
The team’s Most Valuable Player was Dawson John. He led Wolfpack with 16.1 points per game in 14 games.
The Leadership award went to Bennett Grumbach, while Jefferson Monegro earned the Sportsmanship award. The Academic nod went to Victor Radocaj, and Gatluak James earned the Community award for the men’s basketball team.
The RISE Prep Wolfpack were in the middle of the pack in the OSBA East Division thanks to its 9-10 record.
MVP honours went to Trent Johnson. He led all of his teammates in scoring with 261, which was good for 15.4 points per game.
The Leadership award went to Mason Kraus, while the Sportsmanship award went to Eden Otshudi. The Academic honour went to Jonam Kazadi, and Liam Craven earned the Community award.
The Wolfpack women’s squad also battled hard this season with a 8-11 record, which put them in fifth place in the West Division.
Lisa Tesson was the on-court leader for the Wolfpack, scoring 201 points, for 12.6 points per game. Because of that effort, she was named the women’s MVP.
The Leadership award went to Mya Iriah, Willo Thomas earned the Sportsmanship award, while the Academic honour was awarded to Brianna Williams, and Jada Poontip earning the Community award.
This season, TRC Academy added a junior men’s basketball team that played on the National Junior Circuit.
The Wolfpack MVP went to Marquese Josephs, while the Leadership award was given to Dylan Craven. Kennedy Charles earned the Sportsmanship award, while Vytas Nausedas was the Academic award recipient, and Max Arnott earning the Community award.
MOVING ON TO THE NEXT LEVEL
Ever since TRC Academy began in 2015, the local prep school has had a reputation for moving players on to the next level. And this season was no exception.
The TRC Wolfpack men’s team sends two players south of the border. Victor Radocaj is heading to Eastern Washington University (NCAA DI), while Dawson John will play at Western Texas College (junior college).
Four from the team will play in USport – Bryant Selebangue at Hutchinson Community College, Johnny Vrdoljak, at Western University, while Bennett Grumbach and Gatluak James will play at St. Francis Xavier University.
The women’s team will also send a handful of players to the next level.
Mya Irah will play NCAA D1 basketball at Tennessee State and Jada Poontip is going to the University of Toronto.
Ili Vukovic and Jenn Damoah both have offers they are considering.
The RISE Prep team’s Jonam Kadazi is heading west to play for the University of Manitoba.