Coyotes de La Cité (10-0)
Formidable!
This word appropriately describes La Cité's ascent to the top of the east region.
The Coyotes are the first OCAA team to reach double digit victories as they eye a perfect season. La Cité has already won seven more games than all of last season, with 10 games remaining on the schedule.
La Cité has a pair of players in the OCAA's top seven in scoring, more than any other team. First-year forward Hess Mayele (Montreal) and second-year teammate Daniel Gracia (Ottawa) are averaging 19.0 and 18.5 points per game, respectively. Meanwhile first-year forward Andre-Nicolas Ntivumbura (Burundi) is the top rebounder in the east region averaging over a dozen boards per game.
With a four-game advantage for a bye directly into the OCAA championship, the Coyotes are sitting pretty in the east region.
Algonquin Thunder (7-3)
Ottawa is the capital of OCAA men's basketball, at least in the east region as La Cité's crosstown rival Algonquin is alone in second place at the December break.
The Thunder had an un-Algonquin like season last year when they failed to make the playoffs. Algonquin went to the OCAA gold medal game in 2014.
Third-year forward Murphy Beya (Ottawa) leads all Thunder averaging 14.3 points per game.
The Thunder lost 61-49 to La Cité in its regular season opener. Algonquin's anticipated rematch against the Coyotes takes place Feb. 17.
George Brown Huskies (6-4)
With the top two teams in the east's final standings both earning a bye into provincials, George Brown is very much in the equation as it plans to make its move in the new year.
After going 2-3 to start the regular season, the Huskies have won four of their last five games.
George Brown third-year guard Dejazmatch James (Toronto) is one of just three OCAA players averaging 20 points per game. He also averages 8.1 rebounds.
February is a key month for the Huskies, with games against Seneca, St. Lawrence and Loyalist, teams tied or directly behind George Brown in the standings.
St. Lawrence Vikings (6-4)
St. Lawrence-Kingston is tied with George Brown for third place in the east, but would lose a head-to-head tiebreaker on account of a 69-62 to the Huskies on Nov. 27.
There is plenty of basketball left to be played, however, including a rematch between these teams on Feb. 12.
Vikings second-year guard Jaz Bains (United Kingdom) leads all east region players averaging 22.2 points per game.
St. Lawrence has been streaky thus far in 2015-16, winning three straight to open the season before losing a pair. The Vikings then won two in a row before losing twice more. St. Lawrence ended the first half with a 73-57 win over Durham.
Loyalist Lancers (5-4)
Loyalist is one of two teams that have not officially reached the halfway mark of the season, having had a game against Seneca postponed until the second half.
Third-year forward Funsho Dimeji (Mississauga) is averaging 17.2 points per game to lead the Lancers.
Loyalist finished 2015 on a down note, dropping a pair of games in Ottawa. In a scheduling quirk, the Lancers open 2016 at home against Algonquin and La Cité.
Seneca Sting (5-4)
Like Loyalist, Seneca has one game in hand in the second half. Like St. Lawrence, the Sting have also been streaky, with three-game winning and losing streaks.
Second-year guard Joshua Yorke-Frazer (Rexdale) tops all Sting players averaging 15.6 points per game.
Two of Seneca's five wins have come in overtime.
With Loyalist and Seneca tied for the final two playoff spots, the two games between these teams on Jan. 29 and Feb. 17 take on greater importance.
Durham Lords (4-6)
The reigning OCAA bronze medalist Lords are adjusting to life without 2014-15 leading scorers Ajahmo Clarke and Eric Smith, who both averaged over 20 points per game.
By comparison, second-year guard Aaron Hayles (Pickering) and fifth-year forward Darian Rowe (Maple) currently lead Durham in scoring at under 14 points per game.
Durham should still command respect from its east counterparts, as shown by its 59-58 win over Algonquin, and 76-61 victory over Seneca.
Since losing their first two games, the Lords have traded wins for losses for nine straight contests.
Fleming Knights (4-6)
Despite its sub-.500 record, Fleming has made waves this season. Having won just one game the past two regular seasons, the Knights have quadrupled that total as it eyes a potential post-season race.
Second-year point guard Taylor Robinson (Peterborough) is averaging 16.0 points per game for the Knights, while first-year teammate Shane Howell (Mississauga) is contributing 15.1 points per game.
Fleming concluded the first-half on an impressive note, defeating George Brown at home 72-61.
Georgian Grizzlies (4-6)
Georgian is currently deadlocked with Durham and Fleming outside a playoff position. The Grizzlies have an advantage having defeated the Lords and Knights in the first half, but still need to make up ground over the next two months.
First-year guard Connor Laronde (Barrie) leads the Grizzlies in scoring averaging 12.8 points per game.
The Grizzlies have won two straight to conclude 2015 on a positive note.
Canadore Panthers (3-7)
After winning two of three to begin the season (which included an overtime loss to Seneca), Canadore lost six of seven in the month of November to derail its positive start.
Five of those losses, however, came on the road. As a result, the Panthers will play all five of their January games at Canadore.
Second-year forward Tarez Hepburn (Bahamas) leads the Panthers averaging 14.2 points per game.
Canadore faces a similar start to 2016 as Loyalist, facing both Algonquin and La Cité to kick off the new year.
Centennial Colts (0-10)
Centennial has struggled in 2015-16, but almost ended its losing ways in its first half finale, eventually losing to Seneca 86-79 in overtime.
Third-year guard Kendell Wilson (Ajax) leads the Colts averaging 18.5 points per game.
Centennial begins its 2016 reclamation project with games at Fleming, Seneca and Durham, teams with a combined 13 wins, or an average of 4.3 each.
Source: OCAA Communications