D10 Semifinal Thursday

SENIOR

(1) Centennial vs. (4) Centre Wellington
Pick: CCVI
Line: CCVI by 18

Regular Season Series: CCVI 2-0 (Wins 67-36 & 67-56).

AAAA CWOSSA berth on the line in this one ---- well, for CW anyways. The Spartans will qualify for CWOSSA as long as #3 seed JF Ross and #4 seed Centre Wellington don't make the final.

Of course, they can ensure that doesn' t happen by going out and beating the Falcons. I think they'll cruise to a double digit victory in this one.

(2) St. James vs. (3) JF Ross
Pick: JFR
Line: JFR by 5

Regular Season Series: Tied 1-1 (STJ win 51-37, JFR win 60-48).

Both teams finished with identical 10-4 records, but the Lions get the home semifinal game based upon a +2 point differential in head to head games with Ross.

I like the Royals to beat the Lions and set up (another) final meeting with the CCVI Spartans. JFR has been playing well lately and if they can keep Ryan Higgins under control they should be able to pull out the road victory. Easier said than done, of course.

JUNIOR

(1) Bishop Mac vs. (5) JF Ross
Pick: Bishop Mac
Line: BMac by 14

Regular Season Series: Bishop Mac 2-0 (Wins 70-57 & 71-58)

JF Ross, despite being a 5th place squad, played Bishop Mac respectably during the regular season. The Royals have some depth and have shown flashes of being a very good team at times.

It should again be a "respectable" game but look for the Celts to be ahead at the end.

(2) Lourdes vs. (3) Centennial
Pick: OLOL
Line: OLOL by 6

Regular Season Series: Lourdes 2-0 (Wins 60-48 & 58-54)

The Spartans are coming on and playing well right now --- a recent victory over Centre Dufferin (a top team in CWOSSA) is proof.

That said, the Crusaders are no slouch. They have the home advantage so as long as they can contain part of CCVI's "big three" they'll advance to the finals for the first time in a while.