In 2001 to raise awareness of their organizations rise in Canadian Basketball and to celebrate the success of their athletes, Co-founders Wayne Dawkins and Saeed Al-Naji started the 1st annual "All Canada Basketball Weekend - Rumble in the T-Dot" National High School All-star Event. It was at this event that Toronto Ontario's best were put up against the top players from the rest of Ontario and across Canada. The huge success of the event would establish it as a historical, one of a kind Canadian amateur basketball celebration.
The main game, the "Rumble in the T-Dot", started as a challenge from the co-founder's youth basketball program to the rest of the country. The coaches knew their programs had the best basketball talent in the country and were willing to take on anyone on both sides of the border to prove it. In the summer of 1998 Dawkins and Al-Naji's Toronto Elite Development Basketball Club joined with another local club to form Grassroots Canada. Instantly Grassroots became a powerhouse in the North American basketball landscape, producing a number of NCAA Division 1 players including Denham Brown, Jermaine Anderson, and Carl English to name a few.
For 12 years the "All Canada Basketball Weekend" would continue to grow in size and scope. Originally taking place at St. Michael’s College, the ‘standing room only’ event would move to Centennial College, Ryerson University, Seneca College before settling into the Air Canada Center, home of the Toronto Raptors. P.H.A.S.E. 1 and it's organizing team would carry what was once a grassroots event for high school basketball fans into becoming a key stop on the way to post-secondary and professional careers for the country’s brightest young stars. At the request of Nike Canada, the event name changed to the "All Canada Classic" and the organizers added and an Awards Banquet in 2002 to recognize the talent, and success of Canada’s basketball athletes, coaches, and community leaders. In attendance at the awards gala was all event participants, their family, and friends, to celebrate the announcement of awards for Mr. and Mrs. Basketball, Coaches of the Year, Teams of the year and more. The most important addition to the "All Canada Classic" was the introduction of the girl's games showcasing the many female Canadian athletes making names for themselves across North America, including the likes of Alisha Tatham, Kalisha Keane, Stephany Skrba, and May Kotsopolous.
Event Recaps 2001 - 2012
2002 All Canada Basketball Weekend - Recap
06/01/02 Centennial College, Scarborough, Ontario
The ALL-CANADA HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL WEEKEND is a historic sporting milestone in Canada’s basketball community. In 2001 participants, spectators, and media personnel made their way to St. Michael’s College High School, April 20-21 to be part of the weekend. Twenty-four players were identified from across the country to participate in the ALL-CANADA HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL GAME or what it has become more commonly known as, THE RUMBLE IN THE T-DOT. Thousands of fans tuned in to watch Roger’s Cable Network regional broadcast of the game. The Toronto and Hoopscanada.com were also included as media partners. The weekend enjoyed tremendous support with Hostess Frito-Lay snatching up title sponsorship. BMG Music, The Royal Bank, Pizza Pizza, Nike and Pepsi rounded up the list of major corporate sponsors.
In 2002 we saw our first large exodus of Canadian athletes south of the border to American prep schools, setting the stage for the first game that featured "Canadians playing at home in Canadaverses the Canadians playing in America." The Canadian High Schoolers lead by Denham Brown (U. Connecticut, Seattle Super Sonics, NBA Draft Pick), who opted to stay home after rejecting several U.S. prep offers, beat a team of Canadians that spent at least one season being groomed on the other side of the border.
2003 All Canada Basketball Weekend - Recap
06/02/03 Centennial College, Scarborough, Ontario
The ALL-CANADA HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL WEEKEND is a historic sporting milestone in Canada’s basketball community. In 2001 participants, spectators, and media personnel made their way to St. Michael’s College High School, April 20-21 to be part of the weekend. Twenty-four players were identified from across the country to participate in the ALL-CANADA HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL GAME or what it has become more commonly known as, THE RUMBLE IN THE T-DOT. Thousands of fans tuned in to watch Roger’s Cable Network regional broadcast of the game. The Toronto and Hoopscanada.com were also included as media partners. The weekend enjoyed tremendous support with Hostess Frito-Lay snatching up title sponsorship. BMG Music, The Royal Bank, Pizza Pizza, Nike and Pepsi rounded up the list of major corporate sponsors.
2004 All Canada Basketball Weekend - Recap
06/03/04 Centennial College, Scarborough, Ontario
Once again the All Canada Basketball Weekend was a huge success, by capturing the largest crowd of fans from around the country for this event. This years rumble shook down the T Dot with four excellent all-star games. With the inclusion of the first girls Rising Stars and Rumble in the T-Dot all-star game, the event gained an even greater versatility.
The most anticipated game was Canada vs. GTA and Ontario vs. Pennsylvania. The event featured this year Mr. and Miss Basketball award winners Tristan Blackwood (Central Connecticut State University) and Alisha Tatham ( University of Massachusetts). The games MVP Nathan Skinner (Iowa University) lead the Canadian team to its first ever victory. Several participants went on to receive scholarships, Stephanie Skirba (University of Michigan), Simone Farine (University of Wisconsin-Greenbay), Jevohn Shepherd (University of Michigan) and many more. Valerie Blackwood won the first ever Rising Star game MVP and Alisha Tatham was crowned the first ever girls Rumble in the T-Dot MVP.
This event was a success thanks to the support of sponsors such as Nike Canada, The Keg Restaurant, Sunrise Restaurant, McDonald's, Quality Hotels and Suites, Karisma Barbershop, Krispy Kreme Donuts, Pizza Pizza, and Gatorade.
"Journey Of An Elite 1"
2001 All Canada Basketball Weekend Recap
06/23/01
St. Michaels College, Toronto, Ontario
The ALL-CANADA HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL WEEKEND is a historic sporting milestone in Canada’s basketball community. In 2001 participants, spectators, and media personnel made their way to St. Michael’s College High School, April 20-21 to be part of the weekend. Twenty-four players were identified from across the country to participate in the ALL-CANADA HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL GAME or what it has become more commonly known as, THE RUMBLE IN THE T-DOT. Thousands of fans tuned in to watch Roger’s Cable Network regional broadcast of the game. The Toronto and Hoopscanada.com were also included as media partners. The weekend enjoyed tremendous support with Hostess Frito-Lay snatching up title sponsorship. BMG Music, The Royal Bank, Pizza Pizza, Nike and Pepsi rounded up the list of major corporate sponsors.
2005 All Canada Basketball Weekend - Recap
06/11/05
Centennial College, Scarborough, Ontario
2006 All Canada Basketball Weekend - Recap
06/03/06
Centennial College, Scarborough, Ontario
2007 All Canada Basketball Weekend - Recap
06/02/07
Centennial College, Scarborough, Ontario
2008 All Canada Classic - Recap
05/24/08
Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario
The 2008 All Canada Classic will go down as the most exciting Canadian high school all-star game ever! How is that possible with all the great players who have played in high school all star games past? Well, no other game has ever had the combination of talent, star power and of course Jordan Brand gear! It will be argued for many years to come that the men’s and women’s game consisted of Canada’s best assembly of talent in one gym. The proof will come in the near future when many of these athletes make their way to top University programs in North America and start representing Canada on a world stage.
The move to downtown Toronto was a big move for the All Canada Classic, which has had a long history in Scarborough. The athletes however were very pleased with the new location, especially the out of town athletes who had their first experience of Toronto’s famous Yonge St.
The move to U. Ryerson, Kerr Hall certainly did not affect the level of play. The women’s game provided us with a back and forth battle right down to the buzzer. However Team Red’s combination of Kayla Alexander (NEDA), the game’s leading scorer with 20 points and Oditte Odisho (John Paul II C.S.S.), the game MVP was too much for team white. The final score Team Black 86 and Team White 85.
The men’s game was played at a dizzy speed. While the guards battled to see who was the quickest in the land, the big men made sure the paint was a “no fly zone.” Team Black was confident they would be victorious with a team loaded with seniors and led by the Bailey and Bailey’s Ltd. Mr. Basketball Canada, Devoe Joseph (Pickering H.S.). Devoe would go on to lead his team with 21 points but it was Esvaldas Zabas (NEDA) who also had 21 points that would lead his team to victory and earned the game MVP. The final score Team White 112 and Team Black 103.
In the Dunk Contest Justin Darlington (J. Clark Richardson H.S.) put down a spectacular display of dunks that had even high flying Toronto Raptor, Jamario Moon leaping out of his seat. Moon was one of a panel of dunk contest judges that included Jerome “JYD” Williams and world famous Canadian Rapper, Kardinal Official. The Two Ball contests turned out to be more than a shooting contest with the addition of a half court shot worth 50 points. Now with a little luck, even some cold shooting could get you the winning prize. Several teams went for the 50 point shot and got it but in the end it was the smooth shooting and the great team work of Tyler Murray (Eastern Commerce C.I.) and Christine Hyde (NEDA) that prevailed.
On behalf of Metro PHASE 1, Nike Canada and the All Canada Classic Organizing Committee we would like to thank all the athletes, their families, fans and our sponsor for making this a memorable experience for everyone involved. We look forward to an even more exciting ninth year! Please contact us for further information or if you would like to get involved with the organization of the 2009 All Canada Classic
2009 All Canada Classic - Recap
06/06/09
Seneca College, North York, Ontario
The 9th annual All Canada Classic concluded on Sunday after a thrilling weekend of skill filled basketball in the GTA. The event began on Thursday night with a fundraiser for Basketball Canada. Many guests and sponsors showed their support in raising over $3000. On Friday night, Seneca College hosted the skills competitions, where the players exhibited their finely tuned skills in the two-ball, 3-point competition and dunk-off. Saturday was a display of the best high school basketball had to offer in the “Classic Rumble Game” for both men and women as well as the first inaugural men’s and women’s alumni game, which highlighted the best players who have participated in previous Rumble Games.
Friday night started off with the two ball competition. During a time limit, a team is supposed to score as many baskets as possible, more points being given for distance and more difficult shots. Teams consisted of one male and one female and the winning duo was Jemino Sobers and Kimberly Gibbs. They credited their strategy of taking quick shots from the perimeter, while wasting little time to set up a shot, which helped them mass 240 points.
The 3-point competition was entertaining as well. Each player was given two rebounders to help them and Silver Laku, a Western University graduate and Phase 1 Alumni, took home the honours as the winner of the competition for the male’s.
“That’s what I can do. I can hit the 3’s,” Silver said with a smile.
In the female competition, rising star Jenna Bullard outshot all the other competitors for the win in her first 3 point competition.
“You can’t put pressure on yourself,” Jenna said. “When you let go of the ball, that’s it and you just have to hope for the best.”
The dunk-off is always the main and this was no different. There were many celebrity judges including The Score’s Sherman Hamilton as well as Pops Mensa-Bonsu. While many attempted many creative dunks, Vancouver’s own high school senior Emerson Murray from St.George’s high school slammed his way to victory in the dunk-off, with his second dunk being a chest pass off the wall behind the basket, then finishing with one hand. The other finalist, Kevin Messiah, had no answer and Although Emerson’s final dunk was incomplete, that dunk helped to seal his victory, bringing another skills competition victory to the West for the Tournament overall.
The weekend however was just getting started.
Saturday opened with the women’s alumni game where the East came out strong in the first quarter sitting ahead of the West by six points. However, the West picked up the pace and ended the first half within two points of the East. After a couple of turnovers by the East, Coach Dawkins’ West team started to battle back from being down by ten points. Determined not to let go of their lead they ended up finishing the game with a thrilling come from behind victory of 66-56. The most valuable player awards were handed out to Stephany Skrba and Kim Gibbs for the West and East respectively.
In the Women’s Rumble game, the West outplayed the East 57-46. At one point the game was relatively close, but the West pulled away, especially in the second half thanks in large part to Jeanea Barrett, the MVP for the West. Mary Lapierre was the MVP for the East.
The men’s alumni game was not only as entertaining as expected, it was better. In a back and forth affair the West beat the East with a thrilling 101-96 victory in overtime.
The East started off by dominating the West with their size. Denham Brown, a University of Conneticut graduate, had the hot hand for the West but they were down 19-12 in the opening minutes of the first half. Coach Mike Kennedy continued substituting his players five at a time, a strategy to confuse Coaches Pops and Kojo Mensa-Bonsu’s West team. The West crawled back, but two consecutive alley-oops regained the domination for the East. Denham led a comeback near the end of the first half to cut the lead to 50-48 at the break.
The second half started off with a ten point run by the East as they went up 65-53 early in the half. Slowly, Denham led the fight back and chipped away at the lead. What became a 12 point lead became a seven point lead and that eventually became a one point game. Denham’s fellow West Hill Collegiate alumni member Jevohn Shepherd caught the hot hand for the East and consecutive three pointers by J-Shep extended the lead to 11 for the East. Once again however, it was the West who fought back and Denham drove the lane for two of his game high 40. Tristan Martin was fouled but he could only hit one of two free throws which made the lead 90-88 for the East with 3.7 seconds left. Jermaine Anderson missed his shot on the other end of the floor, but Denham Brown was there for the put back with 0.3 seconds left to send the game to overtime.
The West opened up with a quick lead with Denham Brown’s six free throws in the overtime period to give the West the 97-92 lead. Although the East brought the game within one, Kevin Messiah’s high flying dunk sealed the game for the West giving them the 101-96 victory.
Coach Pops said at half time that the strategy was to tire the West out. Although that strategy did not seem to work at first, it clearly did by the time the final buzzer sounded.
The men’s rumble game was every bit as good as it has been years before. The impressive high school talent was on display in the early going when Corey Joseph’s explosive dunk gave the East an early 20-18 advantage. Brady Heslop answered with a three pointer and after two quick baskets by the East, Heslop answered again for the West with another long distance basket at the top of the key. On the next position Heslop showed his versatility, as he drove in the lane for a layup. The West were dominating early, especially after an alley-oop by Tristan Thompson which brought the audience to their feet. The West took a 41-33 lead at halftime and continued to dominate in the second half and were 90-75.
With the help of Junior Cadougan though, the East fought back. The East charge cut the lead to nine with less then three minutes to play. Cadougan sunk a basket and was fouled on the play but missed the ensuing free throw; however on the offensive rebound a three pointer made it a one point game. Down by three, Maurice Walker caught an offensive rebound for the East but his put back was waved off as an offensive foul. That was as close as the East came to victory as the West pulled away with a 107-101 victory. Junior Cadougan took the MVP honours for the East, while Brady Heslop was the MVP for the West for his early dominance.
It was nine hours of outstanding basketball and the awards were handed out the following day.
Johnnie Williams and Pops Mensa-Bonsu gave outstanding speeches to the athletes and other members of the audience at the Awards Banquet on Sunday afternoon. Many awards were handed out including the lifetime achievement award which was given to Lou Sialtsis.
Sialtsis was a former Eastern Commerce Head Coach for 27 years. Lou brought the notion of family into his coaching style and many have said that the one thing Lou always stressed was getting an education and teaching kids to be great young men and women.
Maurice Walker was given the Mr. Basketball Ontario award. The 6’10 Centre had been playing for Mother Teresa. Miss Basketball Ontario was given to Oditte Odishio.
Miss Basketball Canada was given to Christine Hyde. Alwayne Bigby was given the Mr. Basketball Canada award. The 6’4 guard had been playing at Eastern Commerce.
The All Canada Classic continues to grow. With each passing year new stars are born and brought to light and now, the stars who have went on to bigger leagues and events are still participating in this nine year old event. The 2010 All Canada Classic, year ten, should be even more remarkable.
2010 All Canada Classic - Recap
06/05/10
Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario
Team Red Secures A Close Win
The Girls’ Rumble started off the 10th Annual All Canada Classic at the ACC well with a talented group of athletes coming from all across the country to be a part of a great event that has hosted outstanding performances every year.
In front of a packed crowd both teams came out with the intention of becoming the first girl's team to win at the ACC and although it showed on both sides of the court it was Team White who got into foul trouble early. This helped to set the pace for Team Red as they were able to capitalize on Team White’s turnovers.
Point guard Noelle Zletni tried to help her team close the half with a well-timed steal and two nice jumpers to follow. Still it was Team Red who could not be outdone with strong rebounding and hustle plays by Wumi Agunbiade and (the light skin girl on the cover of the flyer…what’s her name?), which secured Team Red a ten-point lead going into the second half.
Team Red tried to keep their momentum going as the third quarter opened up while #10 (white team) continued to play strong in the paint and around the parameter regardless of the four fouls she carried. As the two-minute mark neared #11 (what’s her name – team white, what position) pushed her team to a 9-1 run by hitting a big three-pointer to bring Team White within two points for a score of 61-59.
The excitement grew in the fourth quarter as both teams were tied 71-71 and in bonus with less than a minute and a half to go. Team White did not give up on any of their plays and even had a couple chances to make a basket at the end but they just could not get the ball to drop. As time ran out Team Red was able to hold onto their lead and became the first girl’s team to win the ACC at the ACC with a 72-71 finish.
Both teams had an intense showing and gave Canadian basketball something to be proud of yet again and the MVP of the game was given to (who?) for all her leadership and effort.
Team White Wins in Nailbiter
The Boy’s Rumble ended off the 10th Annual All Canada Classic with a highly contested affair where Team White held off a late run by Team Red to secure a 103-101 victory.
Throughout the game, many players showed their strength and an intense effort to help push their team towards a win. Kevin Pangos began the scoring with a sweet up and under for Team Red in the first quarter. Team White’s Maurice Walker showed improvement in his abilities from last year, having perfect positioning as well as hustle. Anthony Ottley of Team Red replied by driving to the rack and showed extreme composure even under aggressive defensive pressure. The 7’4 Sim Bhullar then showed his potential on both ends of the floor, first finishing off a sweet dish by Daniel Mullings, and on the other end had an authoritative block on Grandy Glaze. Team White, however, was never down by more than a few and had many players sharing the ball and was only down 25-24 heading into the second quarter.
Team Red controlled most of the second quarter in large part due to Matthew Wright’s three long-distance shots in the quarter. Mullings was the other Team Red threat with aggressive fast breaks and quality passes and just when it seemed that Team Red had the chance to take a sizable lead, Grandy Glaze drove strong into the lane for the lay-up and hustled back for a block. Although Team Red was still up 54-48 at halftime the momentum was clearly shifting in White’s favor.
Although the Toronto native Myck Kabongo struggled with his rhythm in the first half with only nine points the second half became the Kabongo show for Team White as he went on a tear scoring 19 of his 39 points in that quarter. However, it wasn’t just about hitting shots for the 6’2 point guard. It was also his aggression, which was exemplified as he grabbed an offensive board; hit the putback and completed the and-1 at the line. Despite White’s comeback, Mullings made sure his team kept pace with Team White and was fearless as he drove to the rim for the bank off the glass against Maurice Walker. Team White took the lead in the final quarter, up 81-79.
Both teams stepped it up in the fourth, but it was clear Team White had the momentum on their side. Walker took a charge on Ottley and on the other end posted up on the 7’4 Bhullar for the hook shot. The biggest man on the court wasn’t fazed though, as he returned the favor on Walker with a post up of his own and a shot off the glass. Team White took a 90-83 lead, which forced Red to call a timeout, but a couple of quick baskets by Red put them within a point, 94-93. After a turnover, Red had the chance to take the lead but as the lone defender in the backcourt, Walker stood his ground for the charge to regain possession. Stefan Nastic had a couple of key dunks down the stretch and hit two clutch free throws, for two of his 23 points on the night. White, up by two with 25 seconds left had a chance to put the game away but outstanding defense from Mullings forced the travel and one last possession for Red. Despite getting off a couple shots, Red couldn’t get a shot to hit before the buzzer sounded giving White the 103-101 win.
Regardless of the loss Daniel Mullings had an impressive 32 points to lead his team down the stretch but was unable to overcome Myck Kabongo’s 39 points in the last quarter in the end. It was Team White who proved to be tougher and more selective to close out the game.
For his efforts and leading the comeback, Kabongo was given the MVP award.
In regards to his performance, Kabongo said, “I had a bad first half, but the second half I just got focused.”
This is Kabongo’s first ACC and was proud to say,“A lot of people don’t know about the talent here in Canada, it was a great show for the fans and it was competitive throughout,” about the importance of the All Canada Classic.
2011 All Canada Classic - Recap
06/04/11
Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario
2012 Boys All Canada Classic - Recap
06/02/12
Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario
The 2012 All Canada Classic will once again be a battle to see if the best players stayed home in Canada or made their way south to American prep and high schools. The list of athletes on each side has been narrowed down to 30 North and 30 South. The South squad may be in trouble with the absence of All American, Anthony Bennett (Findlay Prep) who has played in the maximum number of all star games for a NCAA bound senior, plus a few other big names that will be travelling with the Canadian Junior National Team. The North squad will surely have very little sympathy because each one of them has spent the past year being treated like second class citizens to the ballers that headed across the border to greener pastures.
2012 Girls All Canada Classic - Recap
06/02/12
Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario