As if yesterday's D8 finals weren't enough basketball for one weekend, we have four great semifinals in the WCSSAA league (and of course the D10 finals which we'll get to momentarily as well). All WCSSAA semifinals this year have an added incentive on the lines --- as all "AAAA" schools are participating, the winners of the games below will book themselves a spot in next weekend's CWOSSA championships.
Here's a look at the games in the order of which they will be played today.
Just a reminder that all games take place at Cameron Heights CI, 301 Charles St. E. in Kitchener:
Junior SF - (1) Cameron Heights vs. (4) Bluevale, 3:30pm
Regular Season: CHCI 56, Bluevale 49
Key Players To Watch: Jason Thompson, Luke Hovius, Vladimir Matovic, Milos Jovkovic (CHCI); Garrett Large, Jeevan Sidhu, John Efechaobor, Lukas Seibert (BCI).
How They Got Here: Cameron Heights defeated (8) Eastwood 39-35 (QF); Bluevale defeated (5) Glenview Park 45-29 (QF).
Mark's Thoughts: I have heard that one of the Gaels outside shooting threats, Nikola Farkic, will be out this game due to injury. Though things would be better with him in the lineup, the Gaels do still have the talent and depth necessary to win this one, especially on their home floor.
The Knights, meanwhile, have really come on down the stretch despite playing one of the more gruelling schedules in the league through the quarterfinal round (GPSS-GRCI-ECI-GPSS). Like the Gaels, the Knights have tremendous balance with any of the above named players able to lead their scoring efforts on any given night.
Mark's Pick: Cameron Heights 48, Bluevale 45
Junior SF - (2) Forest Heights vs. (3) Grand River, 5:00pm
Regular Season: Forest Heights 68, Grand River 67
Key Players To Watch: Juwan Miller, Ian Anderson (FHCI); Chuder Teny, Murtada Khamis (GRCI).
How They Got Here: Forest Heights defeated (7) KCI 62-25 (QF); Grand River defeated (6) Galt 49-35.
Mark's Thoughts: It would still be a great game even if Miller and Anderson just played 2-on-2 against Teny and Khamis --- but the real key is going to see who can get additional production from the rest of their rotation. In seeing both of these teams, Grand River is slightly deeper, but the Trojans do have the "X factor" in Miller, who is (in my opinion) the best junior player in CWOSSA right now and capable for going off to the tune of 30, 35 points.
Mark's Pick: Grand River usually seems to bring it on semifinal Saturday, but the big question will be to see if they can find a way to slow the damage caused by Miller. I'll go with Forest Heights 59, Grand River 55.
Senior SF - (1) Cameron Heights vs. (5) Grand River
Regular Season: Cameron Heights 73, Grand River 67 (OT)
How They Got Here: Cameron Heights defeated (8) WODSS 63-43 (QF); Grand River defeated (4) Bluevale 68-65 in OT (QF).
Key Players To Watch: Amjed Osman, Nebojsa Djeric, Vedran Dmitrovic, Adnan Shah, Stefan Cucak (CHCI); Osama Qahwash, Brodi Verbiski, Filip Cvrkalj (GRCI).
Mark's Thoughts: This is going to be a great game between two teams that are more evenly matched than their rankings might indicate. Furthermore, whatever team makes the finals may be the "sentimental pick" of those without an attachment to either team playing as they are both seeking to put an end to some long championship droughts ---- 1986 was the last CHCI senior WCSSAA title, while the Renegades have not won a WCSSAA title in school history (1966).
At any rate, both teams have tremendous guard play, shooting skill, and the ability to get the ball up the floor in a hurry ---- I look for some jitters early, but for a high-scoring and fun game to watch once things get settled in.
Mark's Pick: I just think that the Gaels are too strong right now, but I'm expecting a great game. Cameron Heights 67, Grand River 61
Senior SF - (2) Forest Heights vs. (3) SJAM, 8:00pm
Regular Season: Forest Heights 61, SJAM 52
How They Got Here: Forest Heights defeated (7) WCI 53-48 (QF); SJAM defeated (6) KCI 38-35 (QF).
Key Players To Watch: Ben Reyhani, Edem Ame, Quinn Turner, Theshawn Berry (SJAM); Javon Masters, Srdjan Stanviuk, Paul Anderson, Kieran McAndrew, Gage Paquette (FHCI).
Mark's Thoughts: Inconsistent would be a good way to describe the SJAM Highlanders' season this year. Of course, the key culprit of that would be the injury bug --- which has prevented the 'Landers from suiting up a full roster on numerous occasions in previous weeks. We'll see how they are today, but I'm hearing that they won't be at full strength. Still, Ben Reyhani can usually keep the Landers around single-handedly if he's having "one of those games", and there's other talented members of the SJAM roster as well (as described above) who can go off for 20+ as well.
Neither squad is particularly deep off the bench, but based on the way these squads play I see SJAM as the team that could benefit a bit more by slowing the pace of this one and keeping the possessions at a premium. The last thing they want to see would be the talented guard duo of Javon Masters and Kieran McAndrew (FHCI) doing their thing in transition. It will be interesting to see who can "force their will" in this one --- my gut says the Trojans.
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