D8: Semifinal Wednesday

Semifinals will take place today in both the D8 junior and senior leagues.  Here's a look at the action:

Senior

(4) St. David at (1) St. Mary's

RS:  SMHS 2-0 (70-35, 89-24)

My Pick:  SMHS by 44

Let's face it - the Eagles are huge favourites in this one.  Props to the Celtics for winning back-to-back games yesterday and advancing to the playoff round (and AAA CWOSSA) but their D8 playoff run ends today -- convincingly -- at the hands of the St. Mary's Eagles.

(3) St. Benedict at (2) Resurrection
RS:  RCSS 2-0 (56-38, 60-22)

My Pick:  RCSS by 9

Ignore the last 60-22 score, where both teams essentially played their reserves and the deeper Phoenix rolled.  I expect Coach Malnerich and the Saints to come up with an interesting game plan to keep things close here.  If you recall, last year they used a stall tactic in the D8 semifinals to hold Rez to 26 points through three quarters (26-20 RCSS after three) before Rez pulled away in the 4th to a 43-27 win.  Will we see something similar here?  Or perhaps a variety of defenses to keep Rez off balance?  It will be interesting, that's for sure.

Junior

(1) St. Mary's vs. (4) St. Benedict

RS:  SMHS 2-0 (61-46, 51-14)

My Pick:  SMHS by 35

The Eagles got a playoff tune-up by handling the Cameron Heights Golden Gaels yesterday (by about 20 points I hear) in an exhibition game.  Provided they didn't tire themselves out there, I look for SMHS to cruise to a win today and advance to the D8 junior finals for the 8th (I believe) year in a row.

(2) St. David vs. (3) Resurrection
RS:  SDCSS 2-0 (60-50, 54-43)

My Pick:  SDCSS by 12

The Celtics have won against Rez by double-digits in their two previous meetings, although they were both very different games --- the first one was a close game before the Celtics extended the lead late with free-throws, while in the other, the Celts took a 20-ish point halftime lead before Rez closed things late in garbage time.  Not sure how this one will play out, but with the strong development of SDCSS' grade 9 talent, I expect another double-digit Celtic win here today.