BEST-OF-THE-BEST FORT McMURRAY HOOPS HISTORY
1978-present day
1: Eric Skinner 6-foot-3
Most dominant player in league history. Simple as that. A 6-foot-3, 215 pound guard with
a quick first step, strength and an amazing 3-point shot. Played 10+ years in league and on countless championship teams.
Great on D also. Member of Acadia Axemen championship years in 1975.
2: John Randa 6-foot-8
Played one year in league 1986-87 on Team Xerox which was at the time one of the if not the best
senior men's team in Western Canada as proven by winning tournaments throughout Western Canada. John, at 6-foot-8 and having
recently finished an NCAA career at Eastern Washington, was the centre of Team Xerox which played a 49-game season.
Was on of the best rebounders in Canadian basketball. Played professionaly in South America and Europe. A legend in B.C. high
school hoops.
3: Wes Herbert 6-foot-4
Along with Eric Skinner and John Randa played on Team Xerox. Prior to that played at U of Winnipeg
and later led Lethbridge College to national finals. Played in Fort McMurray for several years moving from Winnipeg with Curtis
J. Phillips. Wes, who died in a car accident in 1990 at age 28 along with his wife and four year old son Brendan, won dunk
championships through out Canada.
4: Chris Jones 6-foot-2
A member of the powerhouse CBS Stars. Chris played one and a half seasons in the 12-team Fort McMurray
league. Scored back-to-back 50+ point games. Grad of St. of FX program.
5: Gray Thomson 6-foot-4
A graduate of local high school ball - Composite - went on to become the ACAC all time leading scorer.
Player/coach of one of the four dynasties in town the DAWGS which followed in the footsteps of Catalytic Centennials, Team
Xerox and CBS Stars. Outstanding court sense and 15 foot shot.
6: Harbir Bains 6-foot-5
Another high school player - Father Merc - who went on to play at the U of Lethbridge. Also made
Canada's national B team and played professionaly in France. A coaches dream player with strong fundamentals.
7: Sam Salter 6-feet
The third local high school product to make the list. Also went on to a stellar ACAC career and carved
out a nice semi-pro basketball career in Europe and last with the London Towers.
8: Kenn McKenize 6-foot-1
Leader of the Catalytic Centennials dynasty from late 1970s' to early 1980s'. Great all around player
smooth in all aspects of game.
9: Doug Arscott 6-foot-4
Scoring punch for CBS Stars. Could put up 40 at anytime and great hustler. Ontario college player.
10: TBD
League Presidents 1978-2002 (Alphabetical Order)
Doug Carter
Peter Christopherson
Peter Golanski
Curtis J. Phillips
Compton Vigilance
Tony Wintonyk
Top Scorers in League History (1978-present) Alphabetical order
Ruel Altares - Kenn McKenzie - Curtis J. Phillips - Eric Skinner
Top 5 Highest Scoring Games
139 points CBS Stars vs Father Pats Trappers 47 (1990-1991)
Doug Arscott 38
Eric Skinner 27
Curtis J. Phillips 26
Randy Paine 26
Brent MacDonald 12
Wayne Halliday 10
138 points Team Xerox vs Catalytic Centennials 94 (1986-87)
Eric Skinner 38
Wes Herbert 30
Chris Kalnay 26
Curtis J. Phillips 26
Algis Grajauskas 18
136 pointsTeam Xerox vs Nistawoyou Hawks (1986-87)
133 points Team Xerox (1986-87)
130 points Team Xerox (1986-87)
Team Xerox also featured along with Eric Skinner (6-foot-3), Wes Herbert (6-foot-4) and
John Randa (6-foot-8) (ranked 1-3 player of all time), Chris Kalnay, U of Ottawa, 6-foot-1; Algis Grajauskas, Western,
6-foot-3; Terry Ayers, U of Alberta, 6-foot-5; Billy Halliday, 6-foot-4, Jason Soungie 5-foot-11, Edgar Reyes, 5-foot-9 and
webiste editor Curtis J. Phillips as captain.
A starting lineup of 6-foot-8, 6-foot-5, 6-foot-4, 6-foot-3 and 6-foot-1.
BLAST FROM THE PAST (stats)
1987-1988 Top 3 teams
Keyano College 16 w 2 l
Boston Pizza 13 w 5 l
Westwood 12 w 6 l
Top 5 scorers
Ruel Altares Grandma Lees 30.9
Gray Thomson Keyano 25.3
Chris Kalnay Boston 23.2
Joby Oomen Ft Pats 20.8
Shane Dawson Westwood 20.2
1988-89 Top 5 scorers
Gray Thomson 24.2 Keyano
Eric Skinner 23.8 Centennials
Chris Kalnay 20.8 CBS Stars
Ruel Altares 19.8 Grandma Lees
Curtis J. Phillips 19.0 CBS Stars
1990-1991 Top 3 teams
CBS Stars 17 w 1 l 98.8 ppg
Dawgs 13 w 5 l 83.6 ppg
TAS 13 w 5
86.0 ppg
Top 5 Scorers
Doug Arscott CBS 24.4
John Groenen TAS 23.4
Gray Thomson DAWGS 22.5
Dwayne Vigilance Miners 21.2
Eric Skinner CBS 20.6
1991- 1992 Top 3 teams
FOG 15 w 3 l
CBS Stars 14 w 4 l
Wolverines 10 s 8 l
Top 5 Scorers
John Groenen FOG 31.1 ppg
Colin Vigilance Wolverines 28.7 ppg
Eric Skinner CBS Stars 20.1 ppg
Curtis J. Phillips CBS Stars 17.8 ppg
Eric Marchand Clippers 16.5 ppg
