Woodstock CI hosting 2025 OFSAA A senior boys A basketball championship

Woodstock CI Convenor Eric Molinaro (left) and City of Woodstock Mayor Jerry Acchione (right) are excited to welcome 19 out-of-town teams, friends and family members to the Senior Boys A Basketball OFSAA 2025 tournament, scheduled for Monday, March 3-5 at WCI, College Avenue, Notre Dame and St. Mary’s. The WCI Red Devils receive a host bid into a draw their coach believes they will be more than competitive in. (Jeff Tribe Photo)

Jeff Tribe, Post Correspondent

Woodstock CI’s Eric Molinaro is issuing an unprecedented invitation to the best A senior boys’ basketball teams in the province for an 18-region, 20-team battle for supremacy.

Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) A pool play will officially tip off Monday, March 3, 2025, a champion crowed two days and scores of games later.

The championship will be Woodstock’s first team OFSAA event says Molinaro, Huron Park having hosted provincial wrestling championships in 2000. Ingersoll DCI also welcomed girls’ AAA volleyball championships in 2015 and senior boys’ AA volleyball in 2005.

The 2025 OFSAA A senior boys’ basketball will be contested at four Woodstock high schools says Molinaro, including WCI, Notre Dame, College Avenue and St. Mary’s, where the medal round will be showcased.

Qualifying for OFSAA is a signature moment for high school athletes and coaches, an OFSAA medal a pinnacle of achievement.

“It’s a really, really cool experience,” said Molinaro, whose high school stream career choice reflects the opportunity to coach at the highest level. He thoroughly enjoyed a three-year OFSAA A senior boys’ basketball run with mentor coach Chris Coyle from 2006 onward, culminating in an antique bronze medal. The WCI senior boys subsequently returned in 2019 and 2023, illustrating the program’s continued ability to compete provincially. As host, WCI gets an automatic berth in a draw Molinaro believes the Red Devils will be more than competitive in.

“We would never have put in a bid if we didn’t think we were capable of competing at that level,” he emphasized. “The legacy gets to continue with hosting and hopefully medalling at OFSAA.”

Hosting a provincial event is a rewarding yet also daunting prospect. The ‘OFSAA’ folder on Molinaro’s ‘convenor’ computer features 11 folders, ranging through the program, sponsorship and banquet - Monday evening inside The Oxford Auditorium. A 30-member committee is backing up Woodstock CI’s successful spring, 2023 bid, to be supported during its three-day run-up by a massive contingent of student scorekeepers, on-site liaison and concession staff members.

“We’re going to build a student leadership component into this event.”

As Woodstock opens its gyms to teams from across Ontario, the city’s hotels, eating establishments and retail outlets will also be opening their doors to a significant influx of visitors.

Sport brings people together said City of Woodstock Mayor Jerry Acchione, who both wrestled and played football at Huron Park and the latter subsequently in university at St. Mary’s University in Halifax.

“We get to introduce Woodstock to people who may potentially never have set foot in this community.”

There is an element of community pride said Acchione to both hosting such an event, and hopefully doing well on the court. But there is also an undeniable impact to the potential for teams of up to 18 individuals, friends and family members playing and staying in ‘The Crossroads of Southern Ontario.’ OFSAA’s Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday schedule offers economic opportunity during what is typically a quieter part of the week.

“This is fantastic for the community.”

Mayor Acchione looks forward to Woodstock enhancing its reputation as ‘The Friendly City’ to its guests, appreciating the amount of effort and organization leading to the opportunity.

“There’s a lot of work that goes into this,” he concluded. “I’d like to thank the committee members and Mr. Molinaro for making this possible to highlight our city.”

“We hope this is a nice little tourism opportunity for the community,” Molinaro agreed.

OFSAA A 2025 includes sponsorship opportunities continued the convenor, pleased with Camp Celtic and the Oxford Attack’s early commitment as diamond-level supporters. Official sponsorship begins at the silver ($250) level, advancing up through gold, platinum and diamond, although contributions at all levels are welcome. Those seeking more information are invited to email e.molinaro@tvdsb.ca.

The province is coming to Woodstock to share in the event, however Molinaro doesn’t want to overlook the basketball contingent living here. There has been a huge uptick in youth participation both in terms of numbers and talent level he believes, crediting Woodstock-Oxford Minor Basketball Association and the Oxford Attack rep programs.

“The have done a phenomenal job of developing the sport over the past decade.”

In conclusion, Molinaro welcomes fans of basketball both far and near to look forward to a three-day celebration of the best senior boys A basketball in the province - and the host city and its citizens.

“The whole experience is just going to be super for every player, every coach, every person in Woodstock who chooses to be involved.”