We're just a few hours away from a triple header of championship action over at St. Mary's High School in Kitchener.The good news for Eagles fans? They have a team competing in each of the three championship finals tonight, so they won't have to travel far to check them out.
Action gets underway at 4pm, with the D8 Midget Final featuring undefeated St. Benedict and #3 St. Mary's. The Eagles are better than their 2-4 record would indicate, as they actually had about 30 grade nines come out for their midget program and formed two midget teams --- alternating the games that they played in the D8 league.
Junior: (1) St. Mary's vs. (2) St. Benedict
At 6pm, my current top two CWOSSA teams -- the St. Mary's Eagles and the St. Benedict Saints -- will do battle in the D8 junior final.
The teams split their season series (1-1), with each team winning at home (SMHS by 17 and SBCSS on a buzzer-beater by 2). The Saints also beat St. Mary's 61-46 in the final of the SJAM "CWOSSA Hoopla" tournament back in December.
Projected Starters
St. Mary's: Barnaba Neil (F), Jason Jaros (F), Adham Eleeda (G/F), Minas Abara (G), David Nguyen (G).
St. Benedict: Zubair Seyed (G), Lucas Cardoso (G), Justin Malnerich (G), Alex Douglas (F), Carter Johnson (F).
Game Preview/Prediction
It's a rematch of last year's D8 final, a thrilling game where St. Mary's overcame an 8-point deficit with 3:00 to go. Furthermore, it will actually feature many of the same faces as both of these teams were built primarily of grade nine talent a season ago.
Four of St. Mary's starters were in their 6-man rotation they used a season ago; grade nine forward Jason Jaros obviously being the exception, but he has been a solid addition to the squad this season --- particuarly on the offensive and defensive backboards. In their regular season win over SBCSS, Jaros had 16 rebounds while adding in 6 points as well.
The Eagles are a "score by committee" type team, with any starter able to lead the way on any given night. The outside shooting of David Nguyen and Adham Eleeda combines well with the slashing ability of Minas Abara and the inside games of Barnaba Neil and Jaros.
For the Saints, they're keyed by their floor general, Zubair Seyed (who actually plays more at the SG position due to his scoring ability). Seyed had 22 points in the semifinal win over Resurrection, with Justin Malnerich adding 19. Those two --- along with their other main offensive threat, Alex Douglas --- will need to perform at a high level tonight.
Things To Watch / "X" Factors
The Saints are a streaky shooting team, and can get hot in a hurry. It will be interesting to see if this game will be a carbon copy of some of their finer shooting efforts, or if they'll struggle like they did last time they visited the Eagles' nest (3-for-17 from three-point range).
Bench production will also be something to keep an eye on. The Eagles are the deeper team as far as scoring contributions are concerned, and have a couple scoring options off the bench, such as grade nine guard Daniel Douse.
Of course, the Saints know each other quite well, as this team plays virtually year round together either at St. Benedict or as part of the Cambridge Centaurs club basketball team. They have a cohesiveness that is virtually unmatched among teams in the CWOSSA region.
For St. Benedict, contributions from Lucas Cardoso and Carter Johnson (be it offensive, defensive, or rebounding) will be "X factors" for the Saints tonight.
Prediction
Certainly one that could go either way. The Saints are my current #1 team in CWOSSA, by virtue of their 2-1 record against St. Mary's this season.
St. Mary's is very tough at home on those tight rims so I'll say:
St. Mary's 49, St. Benedict 46
Senior: (1) St. Mary's vs. (2) Resurrection
This isn't your older brother's "St. Mary's vs. Resurrection". For the fifth straight year, the Eagles and Phoenix will meet in the D8 title game but, unlike the games from 2010 through 2012, this marks the second straight year where the Eagles enter as the decisive favourite.
That said, anything can happen in a "one game scenario" --- just ask the 2012-13 St. Mary's Eagles, who shot just 27% from the floor in the D8 championship final and had to rescue victory from the jaws of defeat (1 point lead with 5:00 to go) in a 57-50 game.
Projected Starters
St. Mary's: Nathan Riley (F), Tesloth Simon (G), Tyrick Thompson (G), Jermaine Lyle (G), Tyler Hergott (G/F).
Resurrection: Patric McGlynn (G/F), Jacob Gilbert (F), Adam Schneider (G), Korbil Gany (G/F), Zach Holness or Kirolos Milio (F).
Things To Watch / "X" Factors
The first few minutes will be big in determining the eventual outcome. If the Phoenix can't perform against the relentless St. Mary's pressure (in what will likely be a hostile environment), this one could be over quickly.
Of course, if the Phoenix can stick around and get into the second half within striking distance, the pressure would shift over to the CWOSSA #1 Eagles, who are expected to win this game.
As for "X" factors, I'll nominate Avery Sutton of the Eagles and the Resurrection reserve guards (Thomas Hunter, Mark Wylie) as filling that role for this one.
Prediction
Sure, last year was a tight one in the D8 final, but the Eagles are flying high right now, and playing at home is an extra "checkmark" in their column.
St. Mary's 65, Resurrection 48
