It was business as usual in WCSSAA play on Thursday.The top 5 teams in the league (WCI, KCI, Bluevale, WODSS and Jacob Hespeler) all posted wins to continue to put some room between them and teams in the lower half of the standings.
However, some of those wins certainly didn't come easily.
KCI (by 10 over winless Preston) and Waterloo-Oxford (by 9 over Elmira) were a little closer than I had anticipated.
I knew Cameron Heights would get a game from Huron Heights, and it certainly was that and more as the Gaels escaped with a 49-46 home win.
Here's the full rundown of scores:
Eastwood 37, Forest Hts. 30
My Pick: FHCI by 9
A bit of a surprise here, but the Rebs give their playoff hopes a boost with a home win over ECI. Mel Samuel and Kayla Shantz had 11 each for Eastwood in the win; Linna Liou had 10 for the Trojans with Cassidy Wettlaufer adding 9.
Cameron Hts. 49, Huron Hts. 46
My Pick: CHCI by 12
Nina Farkic (CHCI) and Katrina Kostecki (HHHS) each had 21-point performances in this one, but it was the Gaels who prevailed in the end.
Bluevale 65, Grand River 41
My Pick: BCI by 15
The Rens were down two starters in this one, but the Knights were probably too strong on Thursday even for a full-strength GRCI squad. Julia Curran (22) and Sarah Hamm (13) led the way for Bluevale; Jamie Noonan had 10 and Tara DeBoer 7 for Grand River.
WCI 43, SJAM 19
My Pick: WCI by 29
Almost a reverse of the junior score, which saw SJAM win handily. Kaylee Anagnostopoulos (8) and Danielle Sauve (5) paced a balanced WCI scoresheet, while Taylor Trush had a game-high 12 for the 'Landers.
Jacob Hespeler 44, Galt 28
My Pick: JHSS by 27
Courtney Wright nearly outscored the Ghosts, putting home 25 points for Hespeler in this one, while Jasmine Ramcharan added 9. Courtney Davis scored 9 and Molly Bradford 8 for the Ghosts.
WODSS 47, Elmira 38
My Pick: WODSS by 26
This rivalry game ended up being a lot closer than I anticipated, but the Crusaders still prevailed in the end. Maddy Horst had another fine effort, with 27 points, while Becca Payne added 10. Nicole Cressman (16) and Karley Sider (10) led the way for the Lancers.
KCI 30, Preston 20
My Pick: KCI by 25
Wouldn't have expected a 10-point game between an undefeated team and a winless team this late in the season, but KCI couldn't quite pull away from the Panthers. Olivia Nelles (7) and Christiana Koebel (6) topped the Raider scoring, while Breanna Johnson (8) and Keristen May (7) led the way for Preston.
Bye Win: Southwood (GPSS)
WCSSAA Senior Standings
T1. Waterloo-Oxford 9-0**
T1. KCI 9-0**
T3. WCI 8-1**
T3. Bluevale 8-1**
5. Jacob Hespeler 7-2**
T6. Grand River 6-3**
T6. Cameron Heights 6-3**
8. Southwood 4-4
T9. Forest Heights 3-6
T9. Eastwood 3-6
T9. Huron Heights 3-6
T12. Elmira 2-7
T12. SJAM 2-7
14. Galt 1-8
15. Preston 0-8
** - clinched playoff berth
