The St. Mary's Eagles locked down top spot in both the junior & senior D8 leagues yesterday afternoon, sweeping the Resurrection Phoenix in a home doubleheader.On the senior side, things weren't really in doubt as the Eagles raced to a quick double-digit lead and took down Resurrection by a 75-50 final.
Four Eagles were in double-figures, including Tesloth Simon (22), Tyrick Thompson (20), Jermaine Lyle (12) and Nathan Riley (11).
For Rez, Patric McGlynn led the way with 12 points while Zach Holness was also in double-figures for the Phoenix with 10.
The junior Eagles had a bit tougher time, but still picked up the win over Resurrection in a 71-59 final. Both St. Mary's (#2) and Resurrection (#3) were highly ranked in my most recent CWOSSA ranking.
St. Mary's took a 9-point halftime lead in the junior game, only to see Resurrection surge in the third quarter to cut the Eagle lead to 2. However, a couple of timely three-point makes by St. Mary's gave them a bit of breathing room in the fourth and allowed them to take the win.
Adham Eleeda and Minas Abara had 12 each for St. Mary's, while Ali Rashid netted a game-high 14 points for Resurrection with Jake Rush adding 12.
In other games on Wednesday.....
In D8 senior, the St. David Celtics had no trouble on the road at Woodland, cruising to a 72-33 win. Mitchell Lavigne had 14 and Tristan Renaud 12 for the Celts, while Trent Fisher led the way for Woodland with 8.
The other senior contest was a spirited affair in a Cambridge rivalry game between Monsignor Doyle and St. Benedict, with the 'Stangs gutting out a 59-56 win in overtime.
The Mustangs jumped out to a 13-point lead in the first quarter, only to see the Saints chip away and actually take a brief lead in the fourth. St. Benedict's Tyler Moulton made a basket with 4 seconds left forced OT.
In the overtime period, the Mustangs established a 6 point lead and held on to win by 3.
The other junior games on Wednesday saw St. Benedict handle St. David 54-45, backed by a 20-point effort from Alex Douglas and 9 more by Carter Johnson. John McElroy (11) and Mason Cumming (8) were the top Celtic performers.
Monsignor Doyle also was a winner in D8 junior, topping Woodland 44-37. Three 'Stangs were in double-figures --- Latrell Ackie (13), Jordan Deveney-Reid (13) and Carter McKay (12). Teddy Neuman had a game-high 18 for the Cavs, with Eric Katerburg adding 10.
Standings & Playoff Picture - Senior
"A" Division
1. St. Mary's 8-0
2. Resurrection 6-2
3. Mons. Doyle 5-3
4. St. Benedict 3-5
"B" Division
1. St. David 4-4
2. Rockway 1-6
3. Woodland 0-7
....things are pretty much set in terms of the playoff picture. With the tiered structure, the first round of playoffs will feature "A3 vs. B2" and "A4 vs. B1". The only "undecided spot" is the B2 spot as Rockway and Woodland still have a game to play.
The other five teams are locked into playoff positioning, as none of them can move up or down. So, for play-off match-ups:
(1) St. Mary's vs. (4) SBCSS/(5) SDCSS
(2) Resurrection vs. (3) MDCSS/(6) RMC/WCHS
Standings & Playoff Picture - Junior
"A" Division
1. St. Mary's 7-1
T2. Resurrection 6-2
T2. St. Benedict 6-2
4. St. David 3-5
"B" Division
1. Mons. Doyle 3-5
2. Rockway 2-5
3. Woodland 0-7
....the "B" division standings are finalized as MDCSS holds a tiebreak +/- over Rockway.
As for the "A" division, St. Mary's has locked down first, regardless of what happens in their last game against St. David as they hold H2H tiebreaks over both Resurrection and St. Benedict.
The Phoenix & Saints will play in their last league game, with the winner taking second and the loser finishing third.
