SPORTS SCOOP: For the week of Feb. 6

SPORTS SCOOP: For the week of Feb. 6. East York Bulldogs' Jack Waslen, centre, gets a shot off despite the defense of West Hill Goldenhawks' James Dodds, left, and Joshua Hall during novice select hockey action at East York Memorial Arena recently. Staff photo/NICK PERRY

UNIVERSITY

Toronto has three universities - Ryerson University (Rams), the University of Toronto (Varsity Blues) and York University (the Lions).

Among the winter sports on tap for both men and women are hockey, volleyball and basketball.

Toronto's best showing is in women's volleyball where York University was in first place at 13-1, and ranked tops in the province and 9th in the nation.

Complete schedule and results available at Ontario University Athletics (OUA) website at http://oua.ca/

COLLEGE

Toronto has several college teams including Humber, Seneca, Centennial and George Brown, with both the men and women playing volleyball and basketball. Toronto had one team looking to protect an undefeated record, the Humber women's volleyball team at 14-0.

In men's volleyball, Humber leads their west division at 13-1 while Seneca is in second place in their east division at 13-2.

In men's basketball, two Toronto teams sit atop their respective divisions, Centennial 14-1 atop the east division and Humber 9-2 atop the west division.

In women's basketball, Seneca is atop the east division at 9-1 while in the west division Humber was tied for fourth at 6-5.

For updates visit the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) site at www.ocaa.com

HIGH SCHOOL

The high school sports season is split roughly into three semesters - fall, winter and spring - with the current winter season featuring boys basketball, girls volleyball and hockey.

The two big Toronto school boards run their own leagues:

* Toronto District School Board (TDSB) schools compete through the Toronto District Secondary School Athletic Association (TDSSAA);

* and the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) schools compete through the Toronto District Catholic Athletic Association (TDCAA).

Both also have non-board private school members.

In some cases, particularly in football, both boards combine their schedules.

The post season for boys basketball and girls volleyball kicks off this week.

For complete schedules, results and standings, check out the board websites.

The TCDSB sports stats are kept at the TDCAA website at www.tdcaa.org

The TDSB sports stats for the TDSSAA are kept on the board's own website at www.tdsb.on.ca (and then link to TDSB sports).

You can also keep track of private schools who are banded together for sports purposes into the Conference of Independent Schools (of Ontario) Athletic Association. Their sports website is at www.cisaa.ca

PROVINCIAL JUNIOR A HOCKEY

The 27-team provincial junior A hockey league is now in the final week of the regular season which concludes Feb. 12.

Toronto has four teams:

* St. Michael's Buzzers, based out of St. Michael's College School, 1515 Bathurst St.;

* North York Rangers, based out of North York Centennial Arena, 580 Finch Ave. W.

* Toronto Junior Canadiens, based out of Chesswood Arenas in North York, 4000 Chesswood Dr.

* and Toronto Lakeshore Patriots, based out of the MasterCard Centre for Hockey Excellence in Etobicoke, 400 Kipling Ave.

While considered a lower tier than major junior A hockey (of which there are no Toronto teams), the loop can field some fine talent especially players who aspire to a U.S. college career, which would otherwise be forfeited if they played major junior A, and with up-and-coming players who may be a year or two away from playing major junior A.

Playoff format has six of the seven teams qualifying for the post season with the top two teams earning a first round bye. St. Mike's has long since secured the top seed, currently with 74 points in 46 games. Vaughan was three points ahead of Toronto Lakeshore for the second bye going into the final week of action.

Complete schedule, scores and stats at http://ojhl.pointstreaksites.com

GREATER TORONTO HOCKEY LEAGUE

The Toronto area does boast some of the top youth hockey players and teams, perennially vying for provincial and national honours.

The Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL), which covers Toronto and much of the immediate 911 area (such as Mississauga, Markham and Vaughan), organizes the high level rep hockey with familiar local teams like the Junior Canadiens, Toronto Marlboros, Don Mills Flyers, Toronto Titans, Toronto Young Nationals etc. Lower levels of hockey all the way down to house league are generally played at the community level, with many of the organizations affiliated with the GTHL.

If you want to follow elite youth hockey, catching tomorrow's NHL stars today, check out the GTHL's extensive stats website. Just go to www.gthlcanada.com and then click on games centre and then click on schedules.

The website also has a handy list of its affiliated community-based Toronto members.

GIRLS HOCKEY

Toronto organizations include the Etobicoke Dolphins, (www.etobicokedolphins.ca), Leaside Girls Hockey Association (www.leasidegirlshockey.org), North York Storm (www.northyorkstorm.com), Scarborough Sharks (www.scarboroughsharks.com) and the Toronto Aeros (www.torontoaeros.com).

Their elite teams meet up in the Lower Lakes Female Hockey League (LLFHL). Schedules, results and stats are posted at www.llfhl.ca/

CWHL

The Toronto franchise in the Canadian Women's Hockey League (CWHL) has a new name and a new home arena this season.

The Toronto Furies, led by Tessa Bonhomme, who helped Canada win Olympic gold in 2010 and this past fall showed her versatility by winning CBC's Battle of the Blades along with partner David Pelletier, is based this season out of George Bell Arena.

The Furies next home game at George Bell Arena is Saturday, Feb. 11, 8 p.m., against Boston and the following day they'll do battle again at Ice Sports Scarborough, 159 Dynamic Dr., Sunday, Feb. 12, 11:45 a.m.

Check out the league, which is stocked with Olympians from around the world, at http://cwhl.ca