Junior WCSSAA Final: Forest Heights 55, Cameron Heights 45

All year long, the opponents of the Forest Heights Trojans have been accounting for Juwan Miller and Ian Anderson in their defensive schemes.

It looks like you may also have to add "Fuad Barucija" to that list as well.

The Cameron Heights Golden Gaels became the latest victim of Barucija's hot shooting, as he knocked in five three-pointers for the second consecutive contest en route to a 19-point performance and helping the Trojans pick up a 55-45 victory in the WCSSAA junior championship yesterday evening at Cameron Heights.

Shortly after the Gaels took a 5-0 lead in the opening minute of the game, Barucija entered off the bench and his impact was almost immediate --- drilling a three-pointer not much more than a minute later.  The Trojans would feed off of that energy, outscoring the Gaels 19-2 in the final 6:30 of the first quarter to close the first frame up 19-7.

The Trojans would continue to push the pace in the second stanza, extending out to a 24-7 lead before Cameron started to heat up from the exterior.  In fact, thanks in part to three-pointers from Ahmed Sheikhali, Milos Jovkovic and Vladimir Matovic, the Gaels were able to bring things back within single digits at halftime (35-27).

Cameron could not make up any ground in the third quarter, and it looked like they were heading for certain defeat with the score 47-37 around the midway point of the final period.  However, a couple of quick baskets by Cameron's Luke Hovius brought the Gaels back within 6 (47-41). 

The Gaels had further opportunities to cut into the lead, but generally could not get any closer than that six point margin.  Cameron Heights actually endured a big drought from the free-throw line in the closing minutes, going 0-for-6 in a 2:00 span that really could have helped them cut into the advantage. 

A huge charge drawn by FHCI's Ian Anderson (on Jason Thompson) helped preserve a 53-45 lead with about 1:30 left in the game, and the bounces just didn't go Cameron's way down the stretch.

Luke Hovius stole a pass from Juwan Miller at halfcourt with 1:00 left, but his contested layup was missed and rebounded by Miller who would salt away the game with a couple free throws en route to the 55-45 final.

Miller (who finished with 25 points) and Barucija (19) almost outscored Cameron Heights by themselves in this one.  Ian Anderson had a quiet night offensively with 6 points, and Jack Taylor accounted for the other 5 points with a three-pointer and a layup during the Trojans' big run in the first half.

Miller, for the second consecutive playoff game, almost finished with a triple-double (25 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists).

Cameron received 14 points from Jason Thompson, who started slowly but came on in the second half once the Trojans switched from their 1-3-1 to a man-to-man defense.  Vladimir Matovic added 11 points --- all in the first half, and the remaining Golden Gael points were scored by Luke Hovius (6), Milos Jovkovic (6), Ahmed Sheikhali (5), and Afraz Khan (3).

The win was Forest Heights' third junior championship in the last five years (2007, 2008, and now 2011). 

Both teams will advance to the CWOSSA "AAAA" junior playdowns this weekend --- Forest Heights will be in "Pool A" with St. Mary's and Centre Wellington.  Cameron Heights, meanwhile, will be in a pool with St. John's and John F. Ross.

Boxscore

FHCI         19-16-10-10 = 55
CHCI         07-20-10-08 = 45

Forest Heights (55)
J. Taylor           2-5 FG, 0-0 FT, 3 Reb, 0 Ast - 5 Pts.
O. Aidaruse      0-1 FG, 0-0 FT, 1 Reb, 0 Ast - 0 Pts.
I. Anderson       3-7 FG, 0-0 FT, 5 Reb, 1 Ast - 6 Pts.
J. Miller          11-19 FG, 3-5 FT, 9 Reb, 8 Ast - 25 Pts.
E. Callendar      0-0 FG, 0-0 FT, 0 Reb, 1 Ast - 0 Pts.
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F. Barucija       7-21 FG, 0-0 FG, 6 Reb, 0 Ast - 19 Pts.
R. Hagey            0-0 FG, 0-0 FT, 0 Reb, 0 Ast - 0 Pts.
M. Al-Mousawi  0-2 FG, 0-0 FT, 1 Reb, 0 Ast - 0 Pts.
T. Iveson            0-0 FG, 0-0 FT, 2 Reb, 0 Ast - 0 Pts.
J. Kamara           0-1 FG, 0-0 FT, 1 Reb, 0 Ast - 0 Pts.

Field Goals:  23-56 (.411).  Free-Throws:  3-5 (.600).  Three-Point Goals:  6-20, .300 (F. Barucija 5-14, J. Taylor 1-4, I. Anderson 0-1, M. Al-Mousawi 0-1).

Cameron Heights (45)
A. Sheikhali          2-6 FG, 0-0 FT, 4 Reb, 4 Ast - 5 Pts.
L. Hovius            3-6 FG, 0-2 FT, 1 Reb, 1 Ast - 6 Pts.
V. Matovic         4-9 FG, 1-3 FT, 5 Reb, 2 Ast - 11 Pts.
J. Bradford           0-2 FG, 0-0 FT, 5 Reb, 0 Ast - 0 Pts.
J. Thompson     6-10 FG, 2-5 FT, 7 Reb, 0 Ast - 14 Pts.
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M. Jovkovic          2-5 FG, 0-0 FT, 2 Reb, 1 Ast - 6 Pts.
A. Khan                1-2 FG, 0-0 FT, 0 Reb, 0 Ast - 3 Pts.

Field Goals:  18-40 (.450).  Free-Throws:  3-10 (.300).  Three-Point Goals:  6-14, .428 (M. Jovkovic 2-4, V. Matovic 2-5, A. Khan 1-2, A. Sheikhali 1-3).