D10: Lions Top Crusaders Impressively in Junior Battle of Unbeatens

Though I try to give my fair share of coverage to junior basketball, it's not often that I'll lead off my recaps with junior over senior.

The St. James Lions are just that good.

The (then) 5-0 Lions almost doubled up the (then) 6-0 Lourdes Crusaders by a 59-30 final at Lourdes yesterday evening.  This vaults the Lions into sole possession of first place in the D10 junior league.

Forget being the top team in "AAA", they may very well be the top squad in all of CWOSSA.

Of course, doubling up on their opposition is nothing new for the Lions --- they're averaging a league best 54 PPG while surrending only 27 PPG, also tops in the circuit.

In last night's contest, their usual balanced attack was led by Brittany Gazzola (13) and Ashley Benham (11), while Keely McVicar chipped in 7 points.

For Lourdes, Monica Trimble scored 7, Victoria Brombal had 6 and Cecilia Hudecki added 5.

In other junior action on Tuesday afternoon:

Orangeville 35, JF Ross 32
The Bears do themselves a big favour and despite being 2-4 on the season, actually have as good a chance as anyone to qualify for "AAAA" CWOSSA.  Claire Fenton poured in 20 in the victory, while Evelyn Burgess added 11.  Ross was led by Caleigh Cargo-Froon with 6.

Bishop Mac 54, Guelph CVI 38
Two players netted double figures for each squad, but the Celts got a bit more production from their bench and pulled away for the win.  Leading scorers were Anna deLange (11) and Alison Morris (10) for BMac and Clay Barley-Janzen (10) and Jamie Young (10) for the Gaels.

Junior Standings
1.  St. James 6-0
2.  Lourdes 7-1
3.  Bishop Mac 5-2
4.  Guelph CVI 4-3
T5.  Orangeville 2-4
T5.  Centennial 2-4
7.  JF Ross 1-6
8.  Centre Wellington 0-6

D10 Senior

Lourdes 50, St. James 43
My Pick:  OLOL
Despite missing 3 starters due to injury/illness, the Crusaders get away with the much needed home win.  Kiera Bunnaman led Lourdes with 14, while Cierra Carere added in 12.  Erica Zen had a game-high 15 points for the Lions with Jade McGarr adding in 11.

JF Ross 46, Orangeville 29
My Pick:  JFR
No trouble for the Royals after a long bus-ride to Orangeville.  Vanessa Martini was Ross' high scorer with 12 points; Tori Quinn had 11 for ODSS.

Centre Wellington 66, Centennial 29
My Pick:  CWDHS
Centre Wellington continues to improve and rolled over the Spartans last night.  For CW, Jaime Janssen led all scorers with 17, while Erica McFadden added in 14.  Erin Rooney (8), Brenann Francis (7) and Chelsea Riepert (7) also chipped in for the Falcons.  For CCVI, forward Charlotte Clarke led with 15, while Kacie Conrad added in 8.

Bishop Mac 51, Guelph CVI 37
My Pick:  BMac
The Celtics got a 22-point performance from Alison Morris en route to another big win, as they go undefeated through the first half of the schedule (in the D10 league, teams play each other twice).  Logan Lane added in 8 for the Celts, while the Gaels received double digit efforts from Lindsay Thompson (12) and Sierra McLaren (11).

Senior Standings
1.  Bishop Mac 7-0
T2.  Centre Wellington 5-2
T2.  JF Ross 5-2
T4.  Guelph CVI 4-3
T4.  Lourdes 4-3
6.  Centennial 2-5
T7.  St. James 0-6
T7.  Orangeville 0-6