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Alberta comes off a somewhat-disappointing finish to their season, losing the Best-of-3 Central division final at home to Saskatchewan and looks to replace a pair of stellar fifth-year seniors in 6'5" forward Scott Gordon and 6'3" Tyson Jones. Coach Don Horwood has added a freshman with strong basketball lineage and three CCAA transfers to next season's team in his latest recruiting class. 6'7" Patrick Maloney from Augustana University College was a second team ACAC North division all-star and is a former Calgary all-star who was nominated for the Laurie Robertson Award. Maloney will begin his third season of eligibility with the Bears in the fall. The Bears were also able to attract the son of a former Alberta great in 6'5" James Suderman 6’5” from Edmonton Strathcona High school, an Edmonton Journal All-Star for the past 2 seasons and the captain of Team Alberta Juveniles in 2006. Suderman will be Coach Horwood's first second generation player as James' father Mike Suderman was a Canada West all-star for the Bears in 1984 and 1987. James comes to Alberta with a reputation as a tough, physical post player with solid experience playing in big games. The Bears also secured a committment from 6'5" forward Braydon Janzen from Camousen College in Victoria, a 3 year veteran of BC's provincial team for 3 years and a Vancouver Island all-star. As well, the Bears welcome Patrick Unger, a 6’3” guard from Germany who played at Grant MacEwan College last year. Unger played several seasons in a German league before coming to Canada and is described as an excellent team player with maturity that should add leadership to the Bears.

The Paladins suffered significant losses to graduation after last season but have some young talent coming back. Still Head Coach Kevin McGuire hit the recruiting trail hard and will bring in a very solid class that will significantlyimprove his roster at all 5 positions. We previously mentioned that 6'9" Nick Cooke from Toronto Eastern Commerce has committed and is targeted to get all the starting reps at the "5" spot from Day One. Cooke comes from arguably the most successful high school program in Canada over the last decade, bringing instant credibility to the program and has tremendous upside with a maturity beyond his years including a career goal of being a pilot. The Paladins look to offset the loss of star forward Adam Asquini with the committment of 6'6" Matt Wookey (Sarnia St. Patrick's) a big "3" man who can also play the "4" spot. McGuire plucked a pair of solid athletes from Victoria, B.C. in 6'3" Cameron Spurr, brother of Thompson Rivers leading scorer Charlie, who is described as a solid defender who shoots the "3" and was MVP at the recent B.C. "AA" provincial championships and 6'6" Simon Dakin, an athletic leaper and two-sport athlete who is also a Provincial team volleyball player. The Paladins needed a point guard to step in immediately and 5'11" Gavin Viray-Cox from Georgetown H.S., who quarterbacked a Princeton-type offense in high school, will likely push for the starter's role at some point in the season. Finally, RMC brings in a solid, spot-up three point shooter with range in 6'3" Kyle Foulkes from Belleville St. Teresa's, who was a key member of his team's OFSAA "AA" participants. This class already shapes up as a very solid group and the Paladins are likely to announce 1 or more recruits in the coming weeks. Stay tuned.

As previously announced, the gem in the Stingers latest class is 6'6" James Clark from Toronto Eastern Commerce. The Saints historically are a guard-oriented group but have produced their fair share of big men and Clark ranks as one of the better big men the program has had, playing very well in big games down the stretch. In addition to Decee Krah from Hamilton Cathedral who was announced earlier, the Stingers further added to their backcourt with U.S. import 6'1" Dustin Holness, a big, strong back court player from Dade County, South Florida, who has not played for a couple of seasons but is a mature combo guard who should add experience. Up front, Concordia welcomes 6'6" Brent Clancy from Vancouver St. George's where he was coached by former St. FX great Brian Lee. Clancy is a late blooming baller after spending much of his earlier athletic career pursuing a hockey career. The Stingers also welcome 6'9" Ian Robertson from the solid Halifax Queen Elisabeth High School program, who has sprouted up from 6'3" in the last 2 years. Robertson is also transitioning to basketball after spending much of his time as a football player and will try to put his new found height to good use for the Stingers. Concordia may or may not announce 1 or 2 more recruits going forward.

Also, an article from the Regina Leader-Post on one of the Cougars top recruits for next season Lance Aldcorn from Regina Balfour Cougars snare star

Another two-sport CIS star is emerging as McMaster's OUA West All-Rookie team selection Jermaine DeCosta, one of the keys to the basketball Marauders future, participated in spring practice with Mac's nationally-ranked football program. DeCosta, who lined up a tailback and returned kicks during the spring workouts, plans to pursue his two sport ambitions. In recent years, Mac had another football/basketball star in Jon Behie. Good luck to Jermaine. DeCosta goes for two Speaking of Behie, the former quarterback and guard is trying to earn a spot on a CFL roster this spring and the Hamilton Spectator caught up with him recently Hopes still with CFL

Article in the Welland Tribune on a great name from the past Tom Skerlak who was one of the most highly recruited players out of high school in his final year in 1975 out of Welland Notre Dame and ended up at Simon Fraser and then on Canada's National team Tom Skerlak article