The game between two of my "top three" CWOSSA senior teams certainly lived up to its billing on Thursday afternoon at Cameron Heights as the Grand River Renegades got a late fourth-quarter three-pointer from Miro Iliev to help send the game into overtime, where they would eventually prevail by a 65-61 final.
Both teams showed some post-holiday rust (and possibly nerves with the big game), combining for just 40 points (21-19 GRCI at the break). The teams would go back-and-forth in the second half, with Cameron Heights taking a two point lead after three quarters, only to see Grand River erase that and take a 4-point lead themselves with under 3:00 to go.
A late 9-2 run by the Gaels put them up three (55-52), setting the stage for Iliev's shot with under :20 to play in the ball game.
Iliev finished with 20 points, while Chuder Teny also notched 20 for the Rens. Jason Thompson had 16 and Ivan Cucak 14 for the Gaels.
In other games on Thursday:
SJAM 66, Eastwood 55
My Pick: SJAM by 12
It was the rookies pacing the way for SJAM on Thursday, with grade 11 Nedim Hodzic scoring 24 and grade 10 guard Simon Petrov adding 18. Ousmane Kromah had 15 for ECI, with Izzy Nemeth and Sydney Stewart adding 10 each.
Forest Heights 64, Bluevale 51
My Pick: BCI by 14
Didn't see this one coming, but the FHCI Trojans gave their playoff hopes a big boost by taking out the Bluevale Knights. Manraj Jugpal and Rakesh Arjun had 12 each for FHCI, while Garrett Large led all scorers with 20 for Bluevale.
WCI 63, Huron Hts. 52
My Pick: WCI by 7
Shafi Mutware had 12 and Nick Johnny 9 to lead a balanced WCI attack in this one; Darcy Jacobs had 13 to lead all scorers for Huron while Evert Davy chipped in 6.
Glenview Park 56, Southwood 20
My Pick: GPSS by 22
Don't look now, but the Panthers are in contention for a possible first-round bye in the WCSSAA playoffs. Sean Davidson poured in 24 points to lead the way for the Panthers on Thursday, with Ryan Threndyle adding 10. Austin Gordon and Sean Wyse had 4 each for the Sabres.
KCI 59, Jacob Hespeler 40
My Pick: KCI by 18
An important win here for the Raiders, who received 16 from Stefan Simic and 10 by Matt McKinnon. Navone Peart led the way for Hespeler with a 10 point effort.
Galt 58, Preston 31
My Pick: GCI by 17
TJ Lall had 17, but it was Scott Holton leading the way for Galt with a big 25-point effort in their win over Preston. Tanner Derjugin had 14 and Lucas Moffitt 9 for the Panthers.
WCSSAA Senior Standings
T1. Cameron Heights 6-1
T1. Grand River 6-1
T1. SJAM 6-1
T4. Eastwood 5-2
T4. Glenview Park 5-2
T4. Galt 5-2
T4. KCI 5-2
8. WCI 4-3
9. Huron Heights 3-4
T10. Bluevale 2-5
T10. Forest Hts. 2-5
T10. Southwood 2-5
T10. Preston 2-5
14. Jacob Hespeler 0-7
