Junior - 6:00pm, St. Mary's
(1) St. Benedict (11-0) vs. (2) Resurrection (9-2)
Season Series: SBCSS 2-0; W 43-24, W 40-37.
Players To Watch:
SBCSS - Janelle Case, Dana Milani
RCSS - Marley Neiscier, Andrea Phillippi, Sarah Schultz
The St. Benedict Saints enter tonight's D8 championship final seeking to complete their perfect season. The only thing that stands in their way are the Resurrection Phoenix, who have been playing well down the stretch.
These teams met a couple of weeks ago in a (virtually) meaningless game. Resurrection would have needed to win by 20+ in order to take over first place in the D8 standings --- that said, they did mount a furious late-game rally to nearly pull out the victory (a buzzer-beater three-pointer fell off the rim).
The Phoenix had a tough time containing Case inside last time, as she went off for 22 points. She is an above-average free-throw shooter and converted those the majority of times she went to the line. Needless to say, the Phoenix are going to have to do a better job of denying the ball inside. Dana Milani has a very good mid-range game and can go off for some big numbers --- she's hit for four 15+ efforts during league play including a season-high 25 points.
For the Phoenix to have a chance, as they're undersized, they're going to have to do a great job of boxing out on the boards. Last game saw the Saints get far too many (for Rez's liking) offensive rebounds.
St. Benedict will want to maintain their composure, and ensure that this becomes a half-court contest. If they can work the tempo to their liking, they should prevail. That said, if this game starts going up and down, Rez has a chance.
If Rez gets down and starts pressing, the Saints must also take good care of the basketball and avoid taking quick shots on the offensive end --- that seemed to be one factor that allowed the Phoenix to get back in the game last time out.
Mark's Pick: St. Benedict by 8.
Senior - 8:00pm, St. Mary's
(1) St. Mary's (11-0) vs. (3) Resurrection (7-4)
Season Series: SMHS 2-0; W 66-49, W 56-41
Players To Watch
SMHS - Kaitlyn Schenck, Emily Webber, Alysha Hergott
RCSS - Jacqui Rodrigues, Janelle Santi, Megan Robinson
Like the Saints in the junior contest, the St. Mary's Eagles have a chance to also finish up a perfect season on their homefloor Friday evening.
The Eagles enter this contest as overwhelming favourites -- they won their 10 league contests by an average of 25 PPG, and the closest that any other team came was within 15 points.
I would expect that trend to continue today if the Eagles can put their foot down early and get up on Resurrection. Should the Phoenix hang around by a "manageable" margin (i.e. within 10 points or so), then they may have a shot. Needless to say, the Eagles don't want the Phoenix to be able to gain any sort of confidence early in the game on their home floor.
I look for a big offensive performance from Kaitlyn Schenck in this one, as well as a great effort from 5th year forward Emily Webber in her final D8 matchup. Though I also expect the young Phoenix (Robinson, Rodrigues & Santi) squad to play well, the Eagles are on a mission right now, and will cap their season with a finals victory.
Mark's Pick: St. Mary's by 19.
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