The Cameron Heights Golden Gaels went on the road yesterday afternoon and snuck past one of the top "AAA" teams in CWOSSA, the Jacob Hespeler Hawks, by a 41-37 final in a game that was close throughout. The Gaels held a 3-point lead with under 4:00 to play but the Hawks were unable to complete a push in the waning moments to get them over the hump.
Liz McLellan had a game-high 15 points for Cameron Heights, while Brooklyn Wright topped the Hespeler scoring with 14. A couple of grade 10 juniors (moved up to the senior team this year) played big roles for both squads --- Hunter Johns (CHCI) and Candice Wright (JHSS) netted 9 points apiece.
That was my lone "incorrect" selection on the day as I rebounded from a slow start in my D8 picks to go 6-1 in WCSSAA. Here's a rundown of the rest of the action:
Waterloo-Oxford 62, Elmira 25
My Pick: WODSS
Sure, I picked the Crusaders to win, but the margin certainly surprises me. This result, coupled with a tournament championship this past weekend over Cameron Heights might mean that the Crusaders are better than advertised as their strong junior squad makes a seamless transition to the senior ranks. Maddy Horst (20), Becca Payne (11) and Tess Pettigrew (10) were all in double-figures for the Crusaders, while Tessa Charnoski had 8 and Amy Hachman 7 for EDSS.
Forest Heights 49, Galt 28
My Pick: FHCI
No trouble for the Trojans at home as they get win #1 on their season. Blair McNaughton had 26 points for FHCI, a WCSSAA-high on the day; Sara Potter and Tameika Elliot added 6 each. Melissa Smith (8) and Allie Buchanan (7) were the top Ghosts.
Bluevale 45, Glenview Park 19
My Pick: BCI
The Knights, one of my top-ranked teams to start the season, took care of the Panthers on the road. Rookie Kailee Sawyer paced Bluevale with 9, while Rachel Curran added 8. Glenview received 6 from Jocelyn Kivell and 5 more by Justine Schwier.
Grand River 42, Huron Heights 19
My Pick: GRCI
The Rens used a strong defensive effort to hold the Huskies in check and pick up the win. Kailey DeBoer (16) and Leticia Skeete (11) both had double digit efforts for GRCI; Rachel Wilkinson had 6 and Jenna Gangl 5 for Huron.
KCI 31, SJAM 24
My Pick: KCI
The Raiders got all they could handle from the Highlanders, but still came out on top at the end. Kelsey Dawe had 8 and Nikaya Snell 7 for KCI, while Malena McCrossan-Moses had a game-high 13 for SJAM. Sam Fowler also added 5 for the 'Landers.
WCI 50, Preston 13
My Pick: WCI
The Vikes started slowly on offense in this one --- but equally hot from the defensive end; the score was 6-0 after the first quarter of play. However, a 21-3 WCI surge in the second quarter put this one firmly in their control. Alex Klein had 16 and grade 10 rookie Kaylee Anagnostopoulos netted 14 for WCI; Maddie DeVries and Hayley McGoldrick each had 4 for PHS.
Junior
Elmira 37, WODSS 13
Sydney Jones outscored the Crusaders with a 15-point effort as the Lancers rolled in their opener. Kelsie Freeman and Karley Sider had 6 more each for EDSS, while Hannah Appleton (6) and Payton Hofstetter (3) topped W-O.
Forest Heights 38, Galt 21
Like in senior, a junior Trojan had the highest WCSSAA point total on the day --- in this case, Linna Liou with 18. Tyrah Wilson added 9 for FHCI; Galt received a nice 15-point effort from Emma Buck.
Bluevale 44, Glenview Park 29
Maddie Fielding put home 10 points and Kiera Green added 6 as the Knights got off to a 1-0 start in WCSSAA play. Rylee Foster had a game-high 17 for GPSS, while Emilie Lutz added 4.
Cameron Heights 40, Jacob Hespeler 34
Close one down in Cambridge goes the way of the Gaels, thanks to 17 from Nina Farkic and 7 more by Andjela Stankovic. Jasmine Ramcharan led the Hawks with 13.
KCI 36, SJAM 18
KCI doubled-up SJAM on Tuesday thanks to 10 from Alia Hazineh and 6 from Adrienne Bowra. Brianna Illitshishin (7) and Milica Koprivica (5) were the top Highlander scorers.
WCI 42, Preston 20
New head coach Doug Ranton's debut went as planned as the Vikes (who return several starters from last year's team) rolled to a 22-point win. Danielle Sauve netted 13 and Olivia Bender 10 in the victory; Preston received 6 each from Annie Collins and Danisha Maleau.
