AA CWOSSA: Junior Preview

AA Junior Qualifiers

Owen Sound CVI

Sacred Heart

Norwell

Bishop MacDonell

Bishop MacDonell Celtics - Guelph (D10; 14-0 D10, D10 Playoff Champions)

Key Players: Mitchell Wood, Michael Clouthier, Ben Morris, Alex Quintieri

It's not a question of "if" but "when" for this group. The Celtics, my #1 team overall in CWOSSA, are the overwhelming tournament favourite. They also enter having won the previous two "AA" championships.

I think the semifinal against Owen Sound will be the "closer" of the two games, but I still expect a close to a 40 point win there. Again, keep in mind that this team won all their D10 league games by an average of 25+ points per game.

Owen Sound CVI Falcons - Owen Sound (BAA; 20-3 Overall, BAA Semifinalists)

Key Players: Mackenzie Fraser, Nathan Curry, Dustin Boley

OSCVI has had a solid season, though they did lose to a solid WDSS team in the BAA semifinals.

Unfortunately for them, they draw Bishop Mac in the first round. Dustin Boley and company will need to be at their best in order to keep that one competitive.

Norwell DSS Redmen - Palmerston (D4; 2-4 D4/3rd Place)

Key Players: Tyler Pronk, Justin Davidson, Drew Cowan

The Redmen gave Orangeville Westside a game in the junior D4 semifinal before dropping a 46-35 decision. They'll take on Walkerton Sacred Heart in the first of the two semifinals tomorrow.

Tyler Pronk and Justin Davidson have been consistent double-figure scorers for Norwell this season. They'll need big games for the Redmen to make their first finals appearance in a while.

Sacred Heart CHS Crusaders - Walkerton (BAA Champions)

Key Players: Brennan Senra, Jeff Ruttan

I look for the Crusaders to advance to the finals here at home. Brennan Senra has had a great season (which has featured several 20+, and even 30+ games). Coach Mark Dunn has, in the past, had his teams hang around with out of town AAA and AAAA squads at the Walkerton tourney ---- so we'll see what happens.

Overall

Again, this looks like Bishop Mac's tournament to lose. Barring some unforseen event, they will win their third consecutive "AA" title.

Semifinal Predictions:
Walkerton Sacred Heart over Norwell DSS

Bishop Mac over Owen Sound CVI

Final Prediction:

Bishop Mac over Sacred Heart