After narrowly getting past the SJAM Highlanders (in overtime no less) during the regular season, the Grand River Renegades made sure they wouldn't be put in that position a second time.The Rens exploded from the opening tip, starting the game on a 17-0 run --- they actually had cracked the double-digit scoring mark by the time the 'Landers had their first field goal attempt of the game.
They poured in 37 first-half points en route to a 37-12 halftime lead, which made the second half a virtual formality as far as the result was concerned.
By comparison, the KCI Raiders and Jacob Hespeler Hawks COMBINED for only 40 points (25-15) in the second junior semifinal.
The "big three" were up to their usual tricks on this day for Grand River, with PG Maya Day slicing-and-dicing her way inside for high percentage shot attempts, Nancy Michael using her speed on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, and Nyasha Mombeshora being a force on the interior (she finished with a double-double).
Despite the big halftime deficit, SJAM played hard in the second half until the final whistle, and they certainly can't be disappointed with their effort. They can also take solace in the fact that three grade nine starters --- Griffin Lack-Shane, Joanna Bamberger, and Serena Barry --- accounted for 23 of their 35 points. Needless to say, the immediate prospects are looking pretty bright for SJAM to make another trip to semifinal Saturday next year (with a little experience under their belt!).
Maya Day finished with 21 points and 5 assists for the Renegades, who also received that double-double noted above by Nyasha Mombeshora (10 points & 10 rebounds). Other scorers included Nancy Michael (9), Tijana Abadzic (7), Megan Schnittke (2), Jessica Zmija (2), Aaliyah Rodgers (2), and Madi Gibson (2).
SJAM had a double-digit effort from Griffin Lack-Shane (10 points), while their scoresheet was rounded out by five other players: Joanna Bamberger (7), Milica Koprivica (7), Serena Barry (6), Nicole Treciokas (3), and Jessica Robichaud (2).
The Rens will take on Kitchener CI for the second straight season in the WCSSAA junior final on Wednesday at Preston HS (6:30pm). Both GRCI & SJAM will play in next weekend's CWOSSA "AAAA" junior event.
Boxscore
GRCI 17-20-12-06 = 55
SJAM 02-10-11-12 = 35
Grand River
N. Michael 4-12 FG, 1-2 FT, 6 Reb, 1 Ast - 9 Pts.
T. Abadzic 3-5 FG, 0-0 FT, 5 Reb, 0 Ast - 7 Pts.
M. Schnittke 1-2 FG, 0-0 FT, 6 Reb, 1 Ast - 2 Pts.
M. Day 9-18 FG, 3-5 FT, 2 Reb, 5 Ast - 21 Pts.
N. Mombes'ra 5-13 FG, 0-0 FT, 10 Reb, 1 Ast - 10 Pts.
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J. Zmija 0-1 FG, 2-2 FT, 2 Reb, 0 Ast - 2 Pts.
A. Rodgers 0-0 FG, 2-2 FT, 0 Reb, 1 Ast - 2 Pts.
M. Gibson 1-2 FG, 0-0 FT, 1 Reb, 0 Ast - 2 Pts.
E. Cudney 0-0 FG, 0-0 FT, 1 Reb, 0 Ast - 0 Pts.
A. Loyd 0-0 FG, 0-2 FT, 1 Reb, 0 Ast - 0 Pts.
Field Goals: 23-53 (.434). Free-Throws: 8-14 (.571). Three-Point Goals: 1-6, .167 (T. Abadzic 1-2, M. Day 0-2, N. Michael 0-2).
SJAM
Lack-Shane 4-16 FG, 0-0 FT, 4 Reb, 0 Ast - 10 Pts.
S. Barry 2-9 FG, 2-2 FT, 6 Reb, 0 Ast - 6 Pts.
J. Bamberger 3-8 FG, 1-2 FT, 3 Reb, 2 Ast - 7 Pts.
N. Treciokas 1-7 FG, 1-2 FT, 3 Reb, 2 Ast - 3 Pts.
D. Curtin 0-4 FG, 0-0 FT, 3 Reb, 2 Ast - 0 Pts.
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M. Koprivica 3-11 FG, 0-0 FT, 4 Reb, 0 Ast - 7 Pts.
J. Robichaud 1-2 FG, 0-0 FT, 1 Reb, 0 Ast - 2 Pts.
L. Hashi 0-1 FG, 0-0 FT, 1 Reb, 0 Ast - 0 Pts.
N. Ahuja 0-0 FG, 0-0 FT, 1 Reb, 0 Ast - 0 Pts.
H. Yun 0-0 FG, 0-0 FT, 0 Reb, 0 Ast - 0 Pts.
Field Goals: 14-58 (.241). Free-Throws: 4-6 (.667). Three-Point Goals: 3-11, .272 (G. Lack-Shane 2-7, M. Koprivica 1-4).
