High school competitions heating up

There is absolutely no denying the spike in football interest over the past couple of years in Greater Sudbury. With a summer football program that is now flourishing, the continued stability of the Joe Macdonald Youth Football League, and the flocks of kids attending evening high school games under the lights, the gridiron crew has grabbed its fair share of the spotlight — and then some.

Unfortunately, the remaining fall secondary school sports tend to get lost in the shuffle, a real shame given the number of intriguing story-lines that exist in the varied world of SDSSA athletics.

In fact, there is little doubt that the senior boys’ volleyball loop stands a great chance of producing the most exciting playoff battles, as the teams deal with a great deal more parity than seen in any recent year.

With a couple of weeks of league play under their belts, signs point to a six or seven team race to the finish, with College Notre Dame holding the early edge as they prepare to head down the backstretch.

Coach Joanna Castonguay returns the largest core of players from one year ago, as setter Eric Lavergne-Giroux joins the likes of Yves Piette, Kyle Herold and Nathan Martin, looking to bring a city crown to CND for the first time since 2003.

The Lasalle Lancers could take the next step forward this fall as multi-sport talents Charles Furchner and Ryan Marcotte key an offense that can pound ball with the best of them.

The Lockerby Vikings advanced to the finals one year ago but overhaul is prominent as Greg McGarry, Jon Page and Chris Beckett-Brown step in as starters, while Mark Pascal tries to fill the large shoes of graduating setter Sean Mackay. It’s a similar story at Lo-Ellen Park, as key losses leave Kevin Wiseman and Stephen Brown taking on large roles, trying to bring a young team with limited depth up to speed.

St. Charles College struggled early on but the return of setter David Nunez makes things interesting, as he reunites his on-court partnership with Zak Szydziak.

The Champlain Requins have put together a solid squad as Corey Lachapelle, Kyle Chartrand and Sebastien Leroux play giant killers this year.

The Horizon Aigles made the trip to OFSAA A championships last November, but it’s unlikely a return trek is in the cards, despite the presence of Jordan Jackson and Cedric Mayer, a duo around whom much of the offense will revolve.

If there was any doubt that the dynasty within the senior girls’ basketball ranks had shifted, they have been put to rest early this year. After unseeding the powerhouse at Lasalle Secondary, as both city and NOSSA champions for the first time in a decade last fall, the Lockerby Vikings return the “fab two” in their quest to repeat.

No other team in the city can match the challenges that returning Vikes Erin Simpson and Tiye Traore present.

Kara Tiplady makes the move from junior to senior ranks, Cassia Ward takes on a starting role, while Grade 9 Samantha Cooper has been contributing right out of the gate.

Lasalle returns enough key talent in the form of Stacey Carter, Ashley Ojalammi and Laura Lehto to make things interesting.

With Bob Blanchard returning to guide CND for an 18th year, the Alouettes are sure to be solid, welcoming back the bulk of the 2007 starters.

Finally, the cross-country season will focus our attention on the south end as the Lo-Ellen Park Knights duo of Ross Proudfoot and Kyla Pettigrew have staked their claim to dominance at the senior level.

Proudfoot is realistically eying a top-five finish at OFSAA, after crossing the line 12th one year ago. Pettigrew, fresh off a seventh place result last fall, is likely still a year away from contending with the province’s best as she jumps to the senior level.

Of course, much of the fun in high school sports lies in catching that next wave of young talent ready to grab the headlines in the years to come.

Randy Pascal is the voice of Eastlink Sports and the founder of SudburySports.com.