Playoffs YTD: 0-0
Losses by the Bluevale Knights and Galt Ghosts on Tuesday pushed me below the 90% mark for the season on WCSSAA picks.....time to get back on track with today's games, which are all 3:30pm starts:
(12) SJAM at (5) Bluevale
Regular Season: BCI 46, SJAM 24
My Pick: BCI by 25
The SJAM Highlanders were able to back-door their way into the playoffs after one-win Huron Heights took out Galt CI on the road on Tuesday. Congrats to the Highlanders for getting back into the playoffs after being on the outside last year, but it looks to be a short-lived trip as they head to Bluevale as a decisive underdog.
On paper, the Knights appear too deep --- particularly at the guard positions where Natalie Bishop and Sarah Hamm formulate one of the best back-courts in the league. The Knights mustn't overlook the Highlanders, of course, as SJAM is seeking to become the first #12 seed to upset a #5 in WCSSAA qualifying history.
(11) Preston at (6) Southwood
Regular Season: SSS 43, PHS 30
My Pick: SSS by 10
As Yogi Berra said, "it's déja vu all over again". These two teams met in their regular season finale on Tuesday, and are back at it again here.
Preston has been inconsistent at best en route to a 4-8 final record, but they do have the ever-dangerous Ashley White on their roster --- and she can go off for 20+ on almost any given night. Obviously, the Sabres will have to keep a keen eye on her while using the advantage they have with their front line (Nicole Barnard, Taylor White, Cali Doran). I think it'll be a relatively close one over in West Galt.
(10) Forest Heights at (7) Elmira
Regular Season: FHCI 48, EDSS 35
My Pick: EDSS by 6
These teams met way back on September 25th, and it was actually the Trojans that came away with the home win in that one. At that point, the Trojans were 3-0 and the Lancers 0-3 --- so since that time, the Lancers are 7-2 while the Trojans are 2-7.
To be fair to Elmira, they started the season against two of the top teams in the league, WODSS and WCI. They're now clicking on all cylinders, as evidenced by an upset win over top-4 team CHCI and a strong performance in the league finale vs. KCI. I'm going to stick with the hot hand here and take the Lancers to win.
(9) Grand River at (8) KCI
Regular Season: KCI 32, GRCI 28
My Pick: GRCI by 3
Can't pick all favourites, can I? This game presents a unique match-up, as the Raiders love to slow things down while the Renegades excel in a faster-paced game. KCI would love this game in the 30s, while I'm sure the Rens wouldn't mind it being in the 50s.
For Grand River to win, they'll need a key offensive piece to step up alongside Kailey DeBoer --- Leticia Skeete is the likeliest candidate. On KCI's side, they'll have to get Grand River to play their game and slow down and execute their half-court sets. I'll go with the Rens by a DeBoer three-ball in a thriller.
