The SJAM Highlanders are a team I just can't figure out.
They were at their best on Saturday evening in the WCSSAA semifinals, pulling out a 61-56 upset win over the #2 seeded Forest Heights Trojans, in overtime.
The 'Landers actually led for most of the game (although it was tight throughout) --- they held a 3 point lead at the end of the first, second, and third quarters. Keiran McAndrew made a huge game tying three-pointer towards the end of regulation that helped force overtime.
SJAM's Edem Ame was a force in OT --- as he was all game (27 points, 13 rebounds) and his solid finishes inside as well as free-throw shooting helped to seal the deal for the Highlanders ---- sending them to their fourth consecutive WCSSAA finals appearance.
Ben Reyhani added 15 for SJAM, while Quinn Turner and Theshawn Berry had 6 each.
FHCI received 18 from Javon Masters, 16 from McAndrew, and 8 from Juwan Miller, who was playing his second game of the afternoon after participating in the junior semifinal earlier in the night.
The other senior semifinal saw Cameron Heights jump all over Grand River in the early going, leading 22-5 after one. The Rens would make a game of it, but the Gaels would hold on at the end by a 65-54 final.
Stefan Cucak had a double-double to lead CHCI (16 points, 10 rebounds) while Amjed Osman put in 16 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Nebojsa Djeric added 16 as well for the Gaels.
Grand River's balanced attack was led by Osama Qahwash (12), Filip Cvrkalj (11), and Brodi Verbiski (9).
The junior semifinals ended up both being lopsided affairs.
The Bluevale Knights stuck around within single digits for three quarters before the Cameron Heights Gaels used a 22-7 run over the final quarter to win going away (62-39). Jason Thompson had 22 points and 9 rebounds in the win for Cameron; Bluevale was led by John Efechaobor who had 10.
The other junior semifinal saw Juwan Miller nearly end up with a triple-double (22 points, 10 rebounds, 9 assists) as the Forest Heights Trojans cruised past the Grand River Renegades 56-31. Chuder Teny, who was battling an illness on Saturday, led the Rens with 9 points (albeit on just 3-for-13 shooting).
All of today's semifinal winners also qualify for CWOSSA "AAAA" next week.
We'll have more on all these games tomorrow, including detailed boxscores and information; however, just wanted to get at least the scores up for now.
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