The D10 finals will be taking their annual spotlight this evening at the University of Guelph, and things are going to be quite different this time around (at least on the senior side of things).
For the first time since 1998 (St. James vs. Guelph CVI), neither JF Ross or Centennial will be making an appearance in the D10 senior championship game. The #4 Centre Wellington Falcons and the #2 Lourdes Crusaders will both be shooting for their first-ever D10 title, so there's some history to be made today.
The junior game will feature the undefeated and #1 seed JF Ross Royals against #3 Centre Wellington.
Here's a look at both games, starting with the junior tilt:
Junior
(1) JF Ross vs. (3) Centre Wellington, 6:00pm
Regular Season: JF Ross, 2-0 (55-44, 52-35)
Key Players
JFR: Vlad Vamanu, Mo Hussien, Andrew Folkerson, Greg Schwann
CW: Josh McEachern, Sam Goindi, Ashlar Young-Evans, James Scott
The Skinny
The JF Ross Royals make another trip to the D10 junior finals, but nonetheless find themselves in unfamiliar territory this year --- as the favourites.
The Royals have made several D10 finals appearances as of late on the junior side of things, but have (usually) gone up against the powerhouse junior program in D10 over the last few years, the Bishop Mac Celtics. With BMac rebuilding a bit this season, the Royals have assumed the "top dog" role in the D10 and posted an undefeated regular season record (14-0).
The scary thing? Although it can be argued that the D10 is deeper this year than in previous years (with CCVI, OLOL and BMAC being competitive), JF Ross did not win a game by fewer than 11 points during the regular season.
If there is a team that might be able to spring an upset though, it is the CWDHS Falcons. The Falcons took out a top-ranked CWOSSA team, the Grand River Renegades, at the Purple & Gold tournament in February, and then took CHCI to the wire before losing in that championship final. I will say, however, that they'll likely only go as far as their star, Josh McEachern, one of the top players in CWOSSA, will take them. He'll need a big effort today for the Falcons to have a shot.
The Pick
I can't go against the Royals here, but I do think that they might have their "closest call" of the season to date. I'll go with JF Ross 52, Centre Wellington 45 in this one.
Senior
(2) Our Lady of Lourdes vs. (4) Centre Wellington, 8pm
Regular Season: OLOL 2-0 (59-55, 66-51)
Key Players
OLOL: Mike Finoro, Sharieff Peru, Jordan Trimble, Ben King
CW: Reid Goindi, Tim Francis, Gavin McNamara, Jake Hewitt-Smith
The Skinny
Going into the 2011-12 D10 season, most people expected both Lourdes and CWDHS to be "improved" over a year ago, especially with so many returnees.
Seeing both teams in the finals? That would be a stretch in anyone's eyes.
Yet, here we are in February and the upstart Falcons and the second-ranked Crusaders are the squads doing battle for the coveted D10 crown. Neither squad has ever captured a championship, so there will be some history made tonight at the Mitchell Athletic Centre.
I'm definitely intrigued by this matchup. Both teams feature relative scoring depth, with 4 or even 5 guys capable of putting up double figures on any given evening. Lourdes has a bit more size overall, while the momentum of taking out the top ranked-team (JFR) is sure to give CW a confidence boost heading into this one.
I think the key for the Falcons to be able to take out another higher-ranked team is to contain sleek-shooting Lourdes guard Mike Finoro. Finoro went off for 27 points (54 total) in both of their league games, and if he gets anywhere close to that tonight, the mountain will be that much more difficult to climb for the Falcons.
Also keep an eye on the first few minutes of this one. I expect some nerves with players on both clubs making finals appearances for the first time. Whoever can quickly gain their footing on the big stage will surely help their cause in this one.
The Pick
Seeing the Falcons here in the finals is a great story, but I think their D10 run will end tonight at the hands of the Crusaders. Lourdes 55, Centre Wellington 50 is the pick.
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