From the lack of a league to an injury to star forward Jacob Ranton, it seemed as though the basketball gods didn't want the WCI Vikings to qualify for OFSAA.However, WCI did exactly that on Monday afternoon at JF Ross CVI in Guelph, as they lead basically wire-to-wire in a 59-52 victory.
The key? Solid team defense played on Grand River's big three --- Jamal Murray, Murtada Khamis and Chuder Teny. The Vikes forced the trio into some tough shots on the offensive end and the three combined to go just 11-for-47 (23.4%) from the floor.
That's not to say Grand River didn't have their chances. The game was tight throughout the first-half; Murray was up to his usual buzzer-beating tricks for the Rens by banking home a three at the end of the first quarter to trim WCI's lead to 16-15.
After the Vikes extended to a 27-20 halftime lead, it looked as though they would pull away in the third. An Adam Anagnostopoulos to Dani Elgadi alley-oop dunk pushed the lead to 11-points, and the Vikes would lead by 13 after three.
However, GRCI didn't quit. A deep (probably 7-8 feet off the line) three by Murray cut things to 55-48 with just under 2:00 to go, but the Rens didn't get any bounces going their way during the final moments.
Adam Anagnostopoulos had a great game for WCI with a very efficient 19 point performance on just 8 field goal attempts (4-6 2PT; 2-2 3PT; 5-6 FT). Dani Elgadi added 12 points while cleaning up the glass to the tune of 18 rebounds, and Malcolm Piazza had his way inside on the undersized Rens with a 10-point effort.
Murray had 15 for the Rens, while adding 6 rebounds and 3 assists. Chuder Teny notched 14 points, and Murtada Khamis had 8.
The good news for Grand River? All those who played in yesterday's game are eligible to return again to GRCI next season.
