T I SC basketball
PREP BOYS
OUR history
For more than a century, Ridley College has been an athletic powerhouse carrying a strong reputation for competitive sporting success.
In the 1800s, during the school’s establishment, our founding members recognized the role that sport plays in developing character strengths, cognition and vitality. Today, sport remains at the very heart of the Ridley experience.
Ridley's athletic stature, combined with its robust educational experience, is one of the primary reasons student-athletes seek out Ridley College—they know their academic, athletic and personal goals will all be equally supported. Unlike traditional sports academies, Ridley College approaches sport holistically, balancing a winning combination of learning, training and competing. Players from across Canada and beyond have been exploring Ridley College for the school’s ability to propel personal, academic and professional careers.
RIDLEY basketball
The Prep Basketball programme at Ridley has produced provincial, national and international champions, as well as well as numerous postsecondary careers. As such, we attract promising young student-athletes from across Canada and around the globe who are more than confident that they can continue to develop not only on the court, but also in the classroom.
In recent years, our Prep Boys Basketball Programme has enjoyed tremendous success as a member of the Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association (OSBA), the province’s premier high school basketball league. Our student-athletes are also exposed to elite-level competition at international showcase events in the United States and the Bahamas.
Despite their on-court success, our programme is most proud of the number of student-athletes consistently moving on to post-secondary opportunities including the NCAA and USPORTS.
Ridley College Prep Basketball continues to flourish due largely in part to our first-class resources and facilities. Preparation for this level includes daily oncourt practices as well as multiple off-court sessions, which include strength training, active recovery and video. Training and competition are supported by a dedicated coaching staff with national and international experience, Ridley’s athletic therapy and school medical team, a strength and conditioning coach and other professional instructors.
Away from the court, players are educated by Ridley’s dedicated professional faculty and supported by academic advisors, tutors and residential life staff.
Joshua Loblaw '21 McMaster UniversitySCHOOL profile
Since 1889, Ridley has provided students with enriching learning and life-shaping experiences and has prepared them for success at some of the top universities and colleges around the world. With over 750 students from 55 countries, Ridley College is a truly international, co-educational day and boarding school. Students in Junior Kindergarten through Grade 12 are engaged in vibrant, challenging and forward-thinking academic, co-curricular and residential life programmes.
Ridley is one of three in North America authorized to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum programme in addition to the Ontario Secondary School Diploma.
ACCREDITATION
• Ontario Ministry of Education
• International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO): IBO World School, March 2011
• Founding member Canadian Accredited Independent Schools (CAIS)
• National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS) member
ACADEMICS
• Student-centred, inquiry-based learning
• Learning Centre and individualized academic support
• Guidance and University Counselling (SAT test centre)
• 150+ academic course offerings
• 25 IB course options
• Additional languages offered: French, Spanish, German, and Mandarin
• Large number of offerings in Group 3 (Business & Management, Economics, Environmental Systems, History, Psychology) and Group 6 (Film, Theatre, Visual Arts)
facilities
• Tiger Arena
• Indoor Field House
• Griffith Gymnasium • Fitness & Strength Centre
• Henley Island Rowing Facility
• Rowing Ergometer Centre
• Squash Courts (Coming in 2024) • Tennis Courts • Playing Fields
admissions
HOW TO APPLY
Explore the Opportunities a Ridley Experience Offers
Our admissions process is structured to allow us to get to know you and your family — your experiences, interests, needs, and expectations. Through this process, we strive to explore the possibilities for you at the school and determine whether Ridley is the best choice for your education.
To complete our application process, prospective students are asked to please submit the following:
• Online application: [www.ridleycollege.com/admissions/how-to-apply]
• Year-end academic reports for three years, including the current school year
• Confidential Recommendation Form (provided in the “Downloads” section of the application)
• English as an Additional Language (EAL) Assessment Form, if English is not your first language (provided in the “Downloads” section of the application)
Students are encouraged to complete the Character Skills Snapshot to supplement their Ridley application. While not required, the Snapshot will provide the Admissions Office with a more holistic view of the applicant.
Once your application has been submitted, you will be contacted by the Admissions Office to schedule an interview and/or a campus visit.
If you have any questions about Ridley or the entrance requirements, please contact the Admissions Office.
MORE THAN JUST AN APPLICATION
The admissions journey begins with your application and evolves through ongoing communication as we build a relationship and work together to discover if Ridley is the right fit for you. Along the way, we review your profile, provide information, answer questions, and arrange customized visits to the Ridley campus.
Although our admissions process begins with an application, it involves more than just facts and figures on a form. We have designed our process to help us understand each candidate as a student and, more importantly, as an individual. While we value and respect past achievements, we strive to understand future potential, seriousness of purpose and possible contributions to the Ridley community, as well as to the greater social good.
YOUR GUIDES THROUGH THE PROCESS
Our Admissions Officers are your personal guides through the process. They’ll be with you every step of the way as you discover what the Ridley experience can mean for you. We understand that there may be unique circumstances that require our consideration and flexibility, and we are always available to work with you as needed.
TUITION ASSISTANCE
An independent school education is a significant investment in a child’s future. Although some families are able to make the investment as part of their financial planning, we understand that others may need help. Ridley College offers bursaries and scholarships to eligible students.
DEDICATED AWARDS
Each year, alumni, parents, faculty, and staff donate to a number of dedicated scholarships and bursaries. As a result of this generosity, Ridley directs more than $3 million to bursaries and scholarships every school year.
REGIONAL AWARDS
Our tradition of promoting and honouring academic achievement has led to the creation of international and regionspecific merit-based scholarships. We are proud of the fact that over 30% of the Ridley student body receives a merit-based scholarship and/or bursaries each year.
basketball PREP BOYS
Jonathan Avgousti '20 University of Western OntarioLEAGUE INFO
LEAGUE INFORMATION
The Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association (OSBA) is the province’s premier high school basketball league where student-athletes are exposed to the highest level of elite competition here in Canada.
Power 5 Conference is an affiliate of the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) and is comprised of programs from Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and New York. Ridley College is the only Canadian member.
International showcase events across North America and the Bahamas.
EYCOLLEGEATHLE
DIR
PLAYER profiles
Position:
Position: Point Guard Hometown: Ajax, ON Height: 6’2 Class of: 2023
Position:
Position:
OSCAR HOWE
Position: Shooting Guard Hometown: Toronto, ON Height: 6’6 Class of: 2024
Position: Point Guard Hometown: Toronto, ON Height: 6’1 Class of: 2023
Position: Forward Hometown: Plano, TX Height: 6’9 Class of: 2024
Position: Forward Hometown: Severn, ON Height: 6’10 Class of: 2023
PLAYER profiles
13
COACH profiles
TARRY UPSHAW Basketball Director & Head Coach tarry_upshaw@ridleycollege.com
Coach Upshaw started his collegiate playing career as a member of the University of Guelph men’s basketball. Following his collegiate career Upshaw transitioned into the coaching ranks as an Assistant Coach of the men’s basketball program at the University of Guelph from 1991–1997, appearing in five national championships and two consolation championships. He was the Head Coach for the Skatligrimur Basketball Club in Borganes, Iceland in 1997.
In 1999 Tarry became Head Coach for Georgian College from 1999–2005 where his team was nationally ranked with six OCAA final eight appearances.
At the professional level, Upshaw’s coaching career has taken him to Europe, Asia and the Caribbean where he has coached Skatligrimur Basketball Club in Iceland, the Sagesse Basketball Club in Lebanon, the Hong Kong National Basketball Team, and the Jamaican U18 National Team as well as consulting for the 2004 and 2006 Asian Games. With Sagesse, Upshaw led his club to the Lebanon Basketball Cup, Arab Club Championship and FIBA Asian Club Championship.
Tarry is currently in his fifth season as Ridley’s Head Coach. During his tenure, Coach Upshaw has led his Tigers to multiple OSBA playoff runs and graduated over 25 studentathletes to post-secondary careers in the NCAA and USports.
DANIEL THOMPSON 15
MICHAEL BETT Assistant Coach
michael_bett@ridleycollege.com
Born in Norfolk, England, and now residing in the Niagara Region, Mick Bett has over 12 years of professional playing experience and over 25 years of coaching experience. At the age of 17, Bett began playing semiprofessionally, earning several titles and accolades. In just his second year of coaching, he was named the British Basketball League’s Coach of the Year. Bett then went on to earn the same award for a second consecutive year, after capturing the BBL Championship.
Coach Bett was the first player in English basketball history to play for and then coach the England National Team. He has also been a Eurosport Commentator since 2004 covering countless events including the Olympic Games.
Bett is currently in his fifth year as Assistant Coach for Ridley’s Prep Boys Basketball programme as well as his third year with the Niagara River Lions of the Canadian Elite Basketball League.
JOEL FRIESEN Assistant Coach
joel_friesen@ridleycollege.com
Coach Friesen was fresh off an eight-year professional playing career before joining Ridley in 2021. Joel spent his first four seasons competing in the National Basketball League of Canada, where he won three Championships. He also played three seasons in the Canadian Elite Basketball League, where he was the league's first ever draft pick.
His international playing experience includes playing in Taiwan, China, and Ukraine as well as representing the Canadian Senior Men’s National Team as an alternate in 2017 and in Chile during the World Cup Qualifiers in 2018.
Throughout Coach Friesen’s playing career, he was fortunate to gain valuable coaching experience through Canada Basketball’s Junior Academy, the University of Alberta’s Junior Bears and the University of the Fraser Valley’s Junior Cascades. Joel is currently a mentor with the National Basketball Youth Mentorship Program and has his own skill development and consulting service: JF Hoops.
alumni
A COMMUNITY AND A LEGACY
Your relationship with Ridley College does not end when you graduate. As alumni of Ridley, you are part of a multi-generational community of over 8,000 proud men and women in nearly 100 different countries. Wherever your life takes you, there’s a strong probability that you will come across another ‘Old Ridleian’ (OR).
PREP BOYS BASKETBALL
CLASS OF 2016
Shamar Burrows - Dalhousie University
CLASS OF 2018
Cameron Bett - England National Team U15 | Queen’s University
Marcus Upshaw - Team Ontario U17 | Ryerson University
CLASS OF 2019
Malcom Bailey - Team Ontario U17 | Colgate University
Jaden Bediako - Team Canada U18 | Team Ontario U15 & U17 | Santa Clara University
Noah Wharton - Team Ontario U15 & U17 | University of Calgary
Anthony Daudu - University of Toronto
Tomi Johnson - Team Ontario U17 - University of Toronto
CLASS OF 2020
Peter Moses - Acadia University
Kiano Heath - Team Quebec U15 | Bishops University
Alex Root - McGill University
Kennan Larmand - Niagara College
CLASS OF 2021
Mugina Karugire - Ontario Tech
Johhny Augusti - Team Ontario U15 & U17 | Western University
Joshua Loblaw - McMaster University
Cormac McMahon - Brock University
Dylan Kalambay - University of Calgary
Immanual Oludele - Simon Fraser University
D’Angelo Cortese-Affoon - University of British Columbia Okanagan
Adam McDonald - University of Fraser Valley
CLASS OF 2022
Dolu Johnson - Dalhousie University
Gabrielle Marcotullio - Dalhousie University
Topaz Nnani - St. Mary’s University
Noah Wharton, University of Calgary Malcolm Bailey, Colgate University Cameron Bett, Queen’s University Jaden Bediako, Santa Clara University