It would appear as though the junior SJAM Highlanders are certainly not taking it forgranted that they can salvage some of their basketball season.The 'Landers jumped out to a 56-17 lead over the Waterloo CI Vikings before cruising home in a 64-33 win yesterday at home in Waterloo.
Nedim Hodzic netted 25 for SJAM, while grade nine Simon Petrov added 18. Shamar Bailey (8) and Aaron Grubb (7) were the top WCI scorers.
Ivan Bilandzic, a 6'5" F, and one of WCI's key players at the start of the season, transferred to St. John-Kilmarnock in Breslau after the "work to rule" at public high schools went into effect.
The other scheduled "exhibition" junior game between Grand River and KCI was not able to be played due to a scheduling conflict.
Junior "AAAA" Qualifier Standings
1. SJAM 1-0
2. Grand River 0-0
3. WCI 0-1
On the senior side of things, the WCI Vikings were tested early, and were only up by single-digits in the third quarter before finishing the game on a 22-6 run to win going away in a 61-29 final.
Dani Elgadi notched 24 for the Vikings, while Zach Totzke added 14. I've been told that the Vikes will be without F Jacob Ranton (injury) for the remainder of the season.
For Bluevale, John Efechaobor led the way with 12 while Savo Krajisnik netted 8.
The other qualifier game on Thursday saw Grand River defeat Eastwood 69-46, backed by 29 points from grade 10 G/F Jamal Murray. Chuder Teny added 17 for the Rens, while Eastwood was led by 17 from Ousmane Kromah and 11 from Sydney Stewart.
Senior "AAAA" Qualifier Standings
T1. WCI 1-0
T1. Grand River 1-0
T3. Eastwood 0-1
T3. Bluevale 0-1
