We are only two weeks into the season and it is shaping up to be a good one. KVHS pulled off a couple of impressive wins at the Leo Hayes Lions Den tournament, beating St. Macs, Woodstock, Leo Hayes and Riverview en route to the title. What was even more impressive was they beat LHHS and Riverview minus two starters, Ryan Vaughan (ankle) and Devin Graham (concussion).

KV also added to their win streak with a victory in the annual Rip Seely game, beating Rothesay 98-59, plus three league road wins at Oromocto, Simonds and Sussex. Their next real test comes tomorrow night (Tuesday November 26) at 7:30 p.m. when the Fredericton Black Kats visit. Anyone who frequents the various message boards will know lot of people have the Kats the favourite again this year, but I think this year’s Crusader’s team has the balance and depth to complete. Should be a great game.

Unfortunately, the early season results for Saint Malachy’s haven’t been as impressive as many would have predicated. The Saints not only lost to a couple of the other pre-seaosn favorites, but lost by a wide margin (42 to KV, 40+ to Riverview). As I’ve said in my earlier posts, I thought the Saints were positioned to make another run at the title again this season and probably good enough to host a regional. Unless they can figure out what’s wrong they run the risk out finishing out of the playoffs complety.

The only other Saint John area team I have seen so far is Simonds High who actaully lead going in to the fourth quater against KV before running out of gas. Like most recent See Bee teams, especailly thier JV teams, these kids play full throttle offense all game. They fast break on every occasion and are not afraid to throw up 3-pointers, even with someone is in their face. Their best shooter, Scott Smith, is as good as a shooter as anyone I’ve seen playing high school lately and he seems to love those funky rims they have at Simonds. Visiting teams should not take this team lightly.

On the varsity girls side, it doesn’t look like anyone in the Saint John area will be able to complete with the Crusaders. Although KV hasn’t played everyone yet, they did post some very lopsided victories over local teams in the Pro Kids Tournament on opening weekend. It would appear that AAA girls will be a four team race between KV, Fredericton, McNaughton and Riverview.

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