The favourites advanced in qualifying round action last week, so it's the top 8 teams that are playing in today's quarterfinals.From a CWOSSA qualification perspective, the top two "AAAA" and two "AAA" teams will advance on.
KCI, Jacob Hespeler, Preston, and Galt are the AAA teams still alive.
GRCI, SJAM, Bluevale, and Cameron Heights are the AAAA teams still in action.
Here are today's games:
(8) Cameron Heights vs. (1) Grand River
RS: GRCI 59, CHCI 36
Mark's Pick: GRCI by 29
The Gaels have really turned things around since their very slow start; I for one didn't think they'd make it this far. That said, the Rens are too deep for them today and should pull away for the victory in this one.
(7) Bluevale at (2) KCI
RS: Did Not Play
Mark's Pick: KCI by 21
The Knights were in the top 4/5 teams, before a last-day loss pushed them down to the #7 seed. As such, the Raiders can't take them lightly but KCI is very tough at home and should advance here.
(6) Galt at (3) Jacob Hespeler
RS: JHSS 32, GCI 30
Mark's Pick: JHSS by 7
It took a late basket for the Jacob Hespeler Hawks to defeat the Galt Ghosts last time around, and I'm not expecting too much different here --- look for the Hawks and Ghosts to play a "grind-em-out" game that should be in the 30s, or even high 20s. Home advantage means I'm picking the Hawks.
(5) Preston at (4) SJAM
RS: Did Not Play
Mark's Pick: SJAM by 11
The Panthers have been a bit up-and-down lately, while the SJAM Highlanders have slowly made improvements, even knocking off a couple of ranked teams in tournament play. I'll go with SJAM here, but I wouldn't be surprised to see PHS make things interesting if they're on their game today.
