Things went as expected for the most part yesterday, but that's not to say that there wasn't some high drama during WCSSAA league play on Tuesday.
In fact, two of the current top three teams in the WCSSAA standings, the Forest Heights Trojans and the WCI Vikings, needed furious fourth quarter comebacks in their respective games yesterday to avoid the SJAM Highlanders (FHCI) and Cameron Heights Golden Gaels (WCI).
In the FHCI-SJAM contest, the 'Landers actually held a 14-point lead entering the final quarter. However, when SJAM's leading scorer, guard Ben Reyhani, went out with injury, the Trojans seized the momentum and went on a massive run that saw them winding up with a 61-57 win.
Reyhani led all scorers with 24, while Javon Masters and Juwan Miller had 20 each for the Trojans. SJAM's Theshawn Berry was also in double-figures with 10.
Meanwhile, also in Waterloo, the WCI Vikings trailed by 13 points at halftime, and by 11 entering the fourth quarter, but saved their best play for the crucial 8-minute final frame.
The Vikes were able to chip into single digits (down 8) when a big Zach Totzke three-ball from the corner brought things to a 46-41 Cameron lead and 5:20 remaining.
The crucial sequence to determining the outcome, however, would come a little over two minutes later.
With the Gaels having gone cold, WCI got it within 2 (47-45) on a Dani Elgadi lay-in with 3:00 to play, and then forced a quick turnover. WCI's Jacob Ranton then scored on back-to-back lay-ups, the latter being an "and one" which he converted to put WCI in the lead at 50-47 ---- for those keeping track, that was a 7-0 WCI run in just under :40 of game clock.
Cameron compounded their problem by turning over the ball off of the free-throw inbounds (a steal by WCI's Adam Anagnostopoulos); he was fouled and converted both to push things up to 5.
To give credit to the Gaels, they could have folded then and there but kept battling to the end. Down 4 (54-50) with 1:00 to play, the Gaels had a shot to bring it to a 1-possession game but as he has done so many times recently, the length of Dani Elgadi was able block a jump shot (which WCI promptly grabbed).
Still, it wasn't over just yet. Jason Thompson stole the ball on the ensuing possession and raced in for an "and one" lay-in that cut things to just one. Elgadi converted 1-of-2 free-throws with :24 left (55-53), but after a CHCI miss, WCI got the ball and was fouled with around :10 on the clock.
Although both free-throws were missed, the Gaels did not box out Jacob Ranton who got great possession for a put-back lay-in (57-53), essentially icing this one in the Vikes' favour.
Elgadi finished with a game-high 23 points, Ranton with 13, and Anagnostopoulos 10 for WCI; Vedran Dmitrovic was held relatively in check in the second half but still led Cameron with 13. Jason Thompson added 8 as did Vladimir Matovic for the Gaels.
And now, the rest of Tuesday's WCSSAA action:
Bluevale 48, Eastwood 45
My Pick: BCI by 10
Though the Knights got off to a 14-2 start, the Rebels battled back and lost a close one at home. Perrin Smith (17) and Lukas Seibert (11) topped the BCI scoring, while Djordje Govedarica had 13 and Jerrelle Vaughan 12 for ECI.
Grand River 77, WODSS 62
My Pick: GRCI by 15
The Rens stay alone in second place after a big second-half propelled them to a win over the Crusaders. Filip Cvrkalj had an emphatic slam as an exclamation point in this one, and finished with a game-high 26. Daniel Harun added 18 for the Rens, while Patrick Connors had 18 and Chris Thomson 13 for WODSS.
Jacob Hespeler 81, Glenview Park 48
My Pick: JHSS by 15
With Javon Bryce back in the line-up, the Hawks had their way on the offensive end on Tuesday. Both Bryce (20) and Jason Quiring (21) cracked the 20-point mark for Jacob Hespeler; Glenview was led by 16 each from Sean Davidson and Chris Thompson.
Preston 57, Southwood 32
My Pick: PHS by 29
The Sabres had a better showing on offense on Tuesday, but it was still not close to enough to taking out the talented Panthers. Wes Meertens (21) and Levi Kani (10) topped the PHS scoring; Riley Clipper had 14 and Zach Sauer 10 for Southwood.
KCI 68, Elmira 30
My Pick: KCI by 23
The Raiders romped at home, backed by a 14-point effort from Matt McKinnon. Lucas Nosal led Elmira with 9.
Galt 68, Huron Heights 50
My Pick: HHHS by 5
My lone blemish on Tuesday went the other way --- big-time --- as the Ghosts won big on the road at Huron. Gabe Vidal had a huge 29-point effort to lead the way, while Jack Simmons added 15. Sean Samuel netted 24 and big-man Alex Deadman had 8 for Huron.
WCSSAA Senior Standings
1. Forest Heights 9-0*
2. Grand River 8-1*
3. WCI 7-2*
T4. Bluevale 6-3*
T4. Galt 6-3*
T4. Jacob Hespeler 6-3*
T4. Preston 6-3*
T8. Huron Heights 4-5
T8. SJAM 4-5
T8. Cameron Heights 4-5
T8. WODSS 4-5
12. KCI 3-6
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T13. Eastwood 2-7
T13. Glenview Park 2-7
15. Southwood 1-8
16. Elmira 0-9
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