Mohawk Mountaineers (9-0)
The defending OCAA champions remain the team to beat in men's basketball.
The Mountaineers have climbed to the top of the west standings with a perfect record, their sights clearly set on a repeat. Although their top four scorers in 2014-15 are no longer with the program, Mohawk has not skipped a beat, a credit to its recruiting efforts.
Second-year guard Lamar Barr (Hamilton) leads all Mountaineers averaging 17.6 points per game. Fifth-year forward Jeff Hunt (Dundas) is the OCAA's top rebounder averaging 12.2 boards per contest.
With only one bye available in the west region for provincials, Mohawk has a two-game advantage heading into the new year.
Sheridan Bruins (7-2)
It's safe to say that the Bruins are back.
After consecutive OCAA championships, Sheridan had a down season in 2014-15, failing to advance to the post-season. But a six-game winning streak erased any lingering doubts, as the Bruins enter the new year second in the west.
Even their losses have been close. Sheridan suffered back-to-back defeats to Humber and Mohawk by a combined three points.
Statistically, Sheridan has three players averaging over 16 points per game, including second-year player Brian Owusu (Mississauga), third-year forward Adam Elhereich (Mississauga) and fourth-year guard Dylan Periana (Brampton).
Sheridan play Mohawk and Humber in back-to-back games again in February in what will no doubt be two high-energy games.
Humber Hawks (6-3)
The defending national champions and OCAA silver medalists stumbled out of the gate in October with consecutive road losses, but made immediate amends winning six of seven.
Fourth-year point guard Gibson Eduful (Brampton) leads Humber in scoring averaging 18.2 points per game. He is also the OCAA leader in steals at 3.4 per game.
Humber's won-loss record isn't as critical as other seasons as the Hawks will earn an automatic bye into provincials as host of the eight-team tournament from March 4-6.
The Hawks host Mohawk to begin the new year in a rematch of last season's OCAA gold medal game. Mohawk won the first meeting of the season between these teams 94-78.
Lambton Lions (6-3)
Lambton avenged an overtime loss to Humber in last year's quarter-finals to begin the 2015-16 regular season, and proceeded to win six of its first seven games.
There is a lot to like about the Lions. Fourth-year guard Branden Padgett (Detroit, Mich.) is the OCAA leader in scoring averaging 24.8 points per game. Fifth-year teammate Mike Lucier (Forest) is averaging 11.9 rebounds per contest, and has double-doubles in eight of nine games this season. He is averaging 17.6 points per game.
Lambton ended the first half on a down note with losses at both Mohawk and Niagara. The Lions host these teams in back-to-back games in February.
Niagara Knights (6-3)
An improved Niagara program is part of the logjam for third spot in the west region.
Niagara fourth-year wing Marako Lundy (Bahamas) is second in the west region in scoring averaging 19.7 points per game.
The Knights began the season with four straight victories, but have lost three of their last five games. Niagara's best result a 94-92 overtime win against Lambton to keep the Knights within the top pack of the west region.
St. Clair Saints (4-5)
St. Clair end the first half in a tie for the final playoff spot in the west region.
The Saints won just once in their first five games, albeit a 90-87 overtime win over Humber. They also took Mohawk to overtime, losing 100-99. The results have gone St. Clair's way as of late, winning three of its last four games.
First-year guard Trevon Mollison (Brampton) is the top scorer on St. Clair averaging 15.0 points per game.
Sault Cougars (4-5)
Sault is in a tie with St. Clair for the sixth and final playoff berth, and having already split the season series between these teams, there is a lot still to be played out over the next nine games.
Second-year guard Joey Bruni (Sault Ste. Marie) and third-year forward Michael Heptbourne (Etobicoke) are both averaging over 13 points per game for the Cougars.
It will be a challenging start to 2016 for the Cougars with back-to-back doubleheaders against Sheridan and at Niagara.
Redeemer Royals (2-7)
The strides Redeemer took in 2014-15 are now a distant memory as the Royals will be hard-pressed to return to the post-season a second straight year.
Two games that the Royals are lamenting are an overtime loss to Cambrian, and a one-point loss to St. Clair.
Third-year forward Rayvon Higdon (Rochester, N.Y.) has been a force for the Royals this season, averaging 19.1 points per game.
The positive news is despite being two games in arrears of a playoff position, the Royals play once at St. Clair and twice against Sault in the second half. Wins in these games will help remedy Redeemer's current plight.
Cambrian Golden Shield (1-8)
Cambrian is still trying to find its way in the west region, but have one positive outcome to celebrate.
After going winless in 2014-15, Cambrian defeated Redeemer 102-99 in overtime to end a 26-game losing streak in OCAA regular season play.
First-year player Eric Lavergne-Giroux (Sudbury) is averaging 14.8 points per game for the Golden Shield.
Fanshawe Falcons (0-9)
After going 13-5 in 2014-15, the Falcons are in rebuild mode with just three returning players.
One of these student-athletes, second-year guard Connor Therrien (London), is averaging 18.3 points per game.
Fanshawe's record is somewhat deceiving. Four of its losses were by four points or less, including a pair by a single point.
Source: OCAA Communications