WATERLOO REGION (April 11, 2023) – On Tuesday, District 8 announced that Marcus Johnson from St. Mary’s High School was named the senior boys basketball league’s most valuable player.
Johnson helped lead the Eagles to the schools first combined District 8 and CWOSSA senior basketball titles since the 2013-14 season. The grade 12 guard scored a game high 24-points in the District 8 final, and went onto average 25 points per game through his four game CWOSSA championship run.
“This season, Marcus brought a new level of intensity to our team, and a compete level that was infectious to his teammates,” said Eagles head coach Adam Harnack. “From a coaching perspective, he was always striving to get better which was fantastic, and it was a true pleasure to get to know him for the amazing young man that he is off the court. A truly special young man, very deserving of our D8 league MVP award for this season, and we can’t wait to see what he accomplishes in the future.”
Joining Johnson as a first team all-star is teammate Isaiah Blake who added 17 points in the District 8 championship, and led the Eagles in scoring in half of the Eagles regular season games.
The St. David’s senior squad collected the District 8 silver medal and is represented by first team all-star Joe Lippert and second team all-star Nikola Simonovic. Lippert, a grade 11 centre had the team high in scoring in seven games, while Simonovic led the Celtics in scoring in six games.
Malak Hamad earned a first team selection for St. Benedict, helping his Saints to the top regular season record, while teammate Abdullah Hajjo was named to the second team.
Resurrection is represented by a pair of grade 11 guards as all-star selections; Zehnen Lajeunesse earned a first team selection, and Kevon Nath was named to the second team.
Woodland’s Daniel Agbonaye was named as a second team all-star leading his team in scoring, including two 30 point performances. The grade 11 guard also helped the Cavaliers to a single-A CWOSSA championship as the championship game’s leading scorer with 19 points, and a single-A OFSAA consolation championship.
Grade 12 guard Justin Pimentel from Monsignor Doyle was also named to the second team rounding out the senior boys basketball all-stars.
Left to right: Zehnen Lajenesse, Marcus Johnson, Malak Hamad
