The Rebels (0-3 after yesterday) led the Forest Heights Trojans (4-0) 23-21 after three quarters; however, the Trojans were able to secure a slim 4-point lead and then extend things near the end of the contest with some timely free-throw shooting (10-for-11 in the final quarter) to remain undefeated.
Perhaps the story of the game was the tremendous defensive job that the Rebels did on FHCI's leading scorer, Blair McNaughton. McNaughton, who came into the game averaging 21.3 PPG, was held to just 5 points during the contest by ECI's swarming defense.
Tameika Elliot had 11 points for the Trojans, while two ECI players were in double-figures --- Mel Samuel with 11 and Meagan Karai with 10.
My picks went a perfect 8-0 on Thursday, although a couple games were certainly closer than anticipated:
Southwood 45, Galt 28
My Pick: SSS by 18
Taylor White (15) and Cali Doran (12) provided double-digit efforts as the Sabres won this all-Galt battle. Melissa Smith paced the Ghosts with 10.
KCI 41, Glenview Park 24
My Pick: KCI by 19
The Raiders are still unbeaten and currently the top "AAA" school in the WCSSAA standings after a home win against Glenview. Maddie LaFleur (10) and Olivia Nelles (9) led the way, while Chelsea Irwin (8) and Justine Schwier (5) paced Glenview.
Preston 57, Huron Heights 43
My Pick: PHS by 24
The Huskies kept things interesting in this one before falling to Preston. The Panthers received a couple of tremendous scoring efforts as Ashley White (23) and Breanna Johnson (19) led the way. HHSS received 15 from Melissa Whigham and 9 from Aly Jacobs.
Bluevale 46, SJAM 24
My Pick: BCI by 26
The Knights moved to 4-0 by handling cross-town Waterloo rival SJAM on Thursday. Natalie Bishop (9) and Caroline Schmidt (8) paced a balanced Bluevale attack, while Katie Fowler (8) and Sam Fowler (7) led the 'Landers.
WCI 59, Grand River 27
My Pick: WCI by 22
Lindsay Taylor poured in a season-high 29 points as the Vikes stayed atop the WCSSAA Standings. Alex Klein added 10 for WCI, while Kailey DeBoer had 12 for the Rens.
Waterloo-Oxford 54, Cameron Hts. 41
My Pick: WODSS by 8
My "game of the day" didn't disappoint as the Crusaders got down early, then battled back and used a very strong 4th quarter to turn a tight game into a win going away. Maddy Horst was unstoppable at times, pouring in a game-high 27, while fellow Crusader Libby Brenneman added 9. Hunter Johns (18) and Liz McLellan (12) had strong efforts for Cameron.
Jacob Hespeler 43, Elmira 37
My Pick: JHSS by 21
After beating ECI by 27 on Tuesday after picking them by 27, the Hawks played with me on Thursday by jumping out to a near 20-point lead and then allowing the Lancers to bring it back late. Candice Wright (16), Jess Huestis (8) and Brooklyn Wright (8) paced the Hawks, while Krista Wiens had a game-high 23 for Elmira.
WCSSAA Standings
T1. WCI 4-0
T1. KCI 4-0
T1. Bluevale 4-0
T1. WODSS 4-0
T1. Forest Hts. 4-0
T6. Cameron Hts. 3-1
T6. Jacob Hespeler 3-1
8. Southwood 2-1
T9. Grand River 1-3
T9. SJAM 1-3
T9. Preston 1-3
12. Eastwood 0-3
T13. Huron Hts. 0-4
T13. Glenview Park 0-4
T13. Galt 0-4
T13. Elmira 0-4
