Let's have a look at this intriguing match-up in this "tale of the tape":
#1 Waterloo Collegiate (14-0) vs. #3 Eastwood Collegiate (12-2)
Location: Preston HS, Cambridge
Admission: $4 (students w/student card), $5 (general admission)
Time: Scheduled for 8pm; likely tip-off around 8:15pm due to junior awards presentation.
The Teams
Key Players (ECI): Michelle Hudyn (24.8 PPG-WCSSAA Play); Lindsay Ward; Erika Gardiner; Caitlyn Schlegel; Meagan Karai.
Key Players (WCI): Lindsay Lessard (15.8 PPG-WCSSAA Play); Lindsay Taylor; Alex Klein; Julia Pavlik; Lynn Dabrowski.
Head-to-Head: WCI defeated Eastwood 48-39, at Eastwood, on October 6th.
How They Got Here: WCI - Def. EDSS 45-13 in QF, Def. BCI 47-40 in SF. ECI - Def. CHCI 36-19 in QF, Def. PHS 53-49 in SF.
Past CWOSSA Titles: WCI: 7 (1988, 2002, 2004-08). ECI: 0.
Notable Sports Alumni Per Wikipedia: WCI: John Mitchell (NHL), Ian Logan (CFL). ECI: Markus Koch (NFL), Scott Stevens (NHL).
The Participants
If you think that it seems like a yearly occurrence that the WCI Vikings make an appearance in the WCSSAA senior girls' finals, well, you're essentially correct. Including this year, WCI will have made 9 consecutive appearances in the finals and they have won 11 of the past 13 titles --- the exceptions being their 2009 loss to KCI, and a 2002 loss to Forest Heights in the WCSSAA semifinals (although the Vikes did go on to an OFSAA bronze that year).
The Vikes, led by "the two Lindsays" (Lessard & Taylor) have had a fantastic season to this point. They've had success at high-profile out of town tournaments, most recently taking the crown over a stacked provincial-level field at the Etobicoke Ram Classic.
Lessard and Taylor get plenty of props for being the two highest (averaging) scorers on the club, but it will likely be the play of the third scoring option that will be key to success on Wednesday evening. Last time out against ECI, Lynn Dabrowski came through with a key 13-point performance to help the Vikes to victory; in the semifinals, Julia Pavlik poured in 13 as one of WCI's two leading scorers. Alex Klein is also an offensive threat, but plays an equally important role on defense as WCI's blocked shot and rebound leader.
Meanwhile, the team going up against the WCI dynasty will be the Eastwood Rebels ---- a school that didn't even have a girls' basketball team when coach Mike Reinhart started there six years ago.
The Rebels have had increasing levels of talent over the past few seasons, but this year they have taken the "next step", thanks in part to the work of 4 key returning starters.
The Rebels have had increasing levels of talent over the past few seasons, but this year they have taken the "next step", thanks in part to the work of 4 key returning starters.
Now, everyone who follows CWOSSA-area basketball is familiar with the exploits of Missouri (NCAA D1) signee Michelle Hudyn, but the Rebs wouldn't be here without fellow returning starters Lindsay Ward, Caitlyn Schlegel and Erika Gardiner. Ward in particular has had some key performances down the stretch (including 15 on Saturday against Preston in the semifinals).
Coach Speak
Despite coming in as the top-ranked team and undefeated within WCSSAA play, WCI coach Doug Ranton knows that the Vikings have their work cut out for them with a pesky Eastwood squad, led by Hudyn.
"We won't shut (Hudyn) down, but we'll need to limit her," noted Ranton.
"ECI is also slightly bigger than us so we'll need to try to control the boards. In addition, they really hustle so we have to outwork them and try and win the small battles," he added.
Reinhart is also well aware that the Vikes will have their sights set on limiting the damage caused by Hudyn.
"For us to win, someone other than Michelle is going to have to score for us," Reinhart said.
"That could be a balanced attack from Lindsay Ward, Caitlyn Schlegel, Erika Gardiner, and Megan Karai, or for one of them to step up and have a huge night," he added.
Reinhart added that the team received a wake-up call after an early-season loss to Elmira.
"Large improvements have been made in hustle and work-ethic, because we were definitely outworked in that game. Overall, I think our team will come together and give WCI a good basketball game," he said.
Prediction
Each team is certainly capable of taking this showdown. I'll go with the Vikes, based upon their experience in these big game scenarios --- but I am expecting a competitive game down in Cambridge this evening.
Prediction: WCI by 9
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