About 2 months after I had these teams picked #1 and #2 in my annual season preview, the Waterloo Collegiate Vikings and Jacob Hespeler Hawks will meet in the WCSSAA final on Wednesday evening (8:00pm, Preston HS/Cambridge).
You can say that both teams took very different routes to get here.
After a slow start that included an opening-day loss to Cameron Heights and a narrow 5-point win over Grand River, the Hawks have really come on down the stretch drive. They easily dispatched Elmira DSS in a 50-25 quarterfinal game, and then handled a tough Southwood team (that had just defeated WODSS) 43-32 on Saturday.
The WCI Vikings have been wire-to-wire leaders in the WCSSAA standings, and weren't even threatened in any of their league games until Saturday against Bluevale. That marked the first time a WCSSAA opponent came within 25 points (!) of the Vikes this season.
Projected Starters
Jacob Hespeler - Naomi Adams (5'9" G-F/Grade 12); Brooklyn Wright (6'2" F/Grade 12); Candice Wright (6'2" F/Grade 10); Courtney Wright (6'0" F/Grade 10); Meaghan Rudd (5'11" F/Grade 12).
Waterloo Collegiate - Alex Klein (6'2" F/Grade 12+); Lindsay Taylor (5'8" G/Grade 12+); Kaylee Anagnostopoulos (5'8" G/Grade 10); Anja Gorrie (5'11" F/Grade 11); Julia Pavlik (5'5" G/Grade 12+).
The Finals / My Pick
The Vikings are making their 10th straight finals appearance, and are trying to win their 13th title in 15 years.
Jacob Hespeler, meanwhile, is making their first finals appearance at the senior level although several of their players were part of a junior finalist team (and CWOSSA "AAA" championship team) back in 2010.
These teams didn't play during the regular season, so it will be interesting to see how they match-up here today.
There aren't many areas in which WCI would be considered at a "disadvantage" but overall height would be one today. With three 6'0"+ starters, the Hawks are going to have to use that edge to do a big job in keeping WCI --- particularly Alex Klein --- from getting second chance opportunities on the offensive end.
WCI's edge in this one would be in overall team speed, as well as overall shooting. With Kaylee Anagnostopoulos, Julia Pavlik and Lindsay Taylor out in transition, the Vikes are among the most dangerous teams in the province on the break. Don't get me wrong --- the Hawks like to run too, but must be selective in this one.
If WCI can't get a transition look, they're effective in the halfcourt with shooters Julia Pavlik and Lindsay Taylor often getting good looks through their sets.
Both teams should get solid production from their bench, where the Hawks and Vikes have solid backcourt assistance. All-star PG Taylor Dennis has been working her way back into the line-up after injury by coming off the JHSS bench, and Jess Huestis should also see some solid minutes this evening. On the other side, WCI's Erin Helsby and Courtney Banham bolster their backcourt.
A couple of "X Factors" to consider here --- the first being the "experience factor". Sure, it favours WCI but by the same token you have to figure that Hespeler will approach this with a "nothing to lose" attitude against the perennial league favourites.
Also, consider the fact that the game is in Cambridge. The Hawks had the loudest group of fans for the semifinals, and I expect that amplified even more with the game being a short trip across the 401 from their school.
Overall, I'm intrigued by this match-up. I think it could play out in any number of ways, but I think -- on paper -- WCI is the favourite here.
My Pick: WCI 52, Jacob Hespeler 40
