OSBA PRE-SEASON PREVIEW: Vaughan S.S Prep(men)

Vaughan S.S Prep finished the 2016-17 season with a second-last record (5-16) and after an up and down first season the Voyageurs are looking to breakout this fall. The program believes they are ready to take the next step and earn their stripes in the top high school league in Canada.

“Now that we are in year two of our prep program we are looking to take that next step as a team. Our team goal as always is to improve daily and let the results be the end product of the day to day execution and effort as a team. There are no guarantees but we will work for whatever is thrown our way,” said head coach Gus Gymnopoulos.

The program has chosen to go in a completely different direction by adding a total of 11 new players, seven being transfers from other basketball programs in the GTA.  With strong hopes that the new faces will gel and have breakout seasons in the OSBA, the Voyageurs added: (6’4 F/C) Jimmy Rich who is transferring from West Humber Cl, 14 year old (6’2 PG) Ryan Nembhard from St. Jerome Catholic Elementary who is continuing to play above his age group and flourish, (6’2 G) Junior Luyeye, Quincy Akposi a junior from Vaughn S.S, (6’6 F) Ryan Brooks transferring from TRC Academy, Alex Thielen transferring from York Mills C.I, Luka Andreic transferring from Silverthorne C.I, Caleb Atewe (6’8 C), Brian Heleiman transferring from Dr. Denison S.S, (6’8 F) Jas Sangha transfer from Louis Arbour S.S, and Noah Ngambe who hails from École Renaissance Elementary.

The program parts ways with five key players from last season that provided a great deal of talent and experience to the team. Graduate Oshane Taylor Douglas (6’2 G) will be playing his rookie season at Williston State, graduate Kascius Small-Martin (6’2 G) will be playing his rookie season at Brock University, graduate William Tran (6’5 G) will be playing his rookie season at Nipissing University, James Canlas (6’2 G) will be taking his talents across the globe and play his rookie season at San Beda College in Manila, Philippines, and Ben Kwawukumey will also be taking his talents across the globe and play his rookie season at University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines.

Vaughan S.S will rely heavily on their to step up and make immediate impacts as the program is trying to.

With the 2017-2018 season fast approaching, development and cohesion of the recruiting class and returning players will be crucial for the Vaughan S.S Prep Voyageurs year long. There is no telling what their entirely new roster can do or the heights they can take the program to. The Voyageurs are looking to prove they can play with the best of the league this upcoming season and make a quick turn around in a short period of time.