After all 8 home teams (junior and senior combined) advanced in the WCSSAA qualifying round, it was a similar story for Thursday's WCSSAA quarterfinal action.Seeds 1-4 advanced through on the junior side, while the lone "upset" (if you even want to call it that, as I had picked WCI) was the #5 Vikings taking out the #4 KCI Raiders in senior action.
Let's start on the senior side:
(1) Cameron Hts. 60, (8) Glenview Park 41
My Pick: CHCI by 24
The Gaels move through to semifinal Saturday on their home floor with a comfortable win over visiting Glenview Park. Sasha Simic (13) paced a very balanced Gael attack, as they also received 8 points each from Jackie Do, Jason Thompson & Gordan Erkic. Sean Davidson (20) and Ryan Threndyle (12) were the main offensive threats for Glenview.
(2) SJAM 76, (7) Galt 53
My Pick: SJAM by 15
Said that this would likely be a high scoring affair, and it was the highest of the senior quarterfinals on Thursday. Nedim Hodzic paced the 'Landers with 24 points, while Simon Petrov and Jan-Willem Scheele had 12 each. TJ Lall led the Ghosts with 13.
(3) Grand River 65, (6) Eastwood 58
My Pick: GRCI by 10
Certainly lived up to "rivalry status" as both teams played their hearts out in this one. Chuder Teny (26) and Murtada Khamis (17) led the Rens to victory, while Sydney Stewart had 17 and Ousmane Kromah 14 for the Rebels.
(5) WCI 58, (4) KCI 48
My Pick: WCI by 3
The Vikes picked up the road win at the expense of the Raiders, although KCI still has more games to play as part of the "AAA" CWOSSA field. Nick Johnny had a great game for the Vikes, with a 23-point effort, while Etai Mizrahi added 8. David Ben-Lomotey (10) and Marko Milovanovic (9) were the leading KCI scorers.
Semifinals - Saturday @ CHCI
(1) Cameron Heights vs. (5) WCI
(2) SJAM vs. (3) Grand River
*Winners get "AAAA" CWOSSA berths
Junior
(1) SJAM 49, (8) Eastwood 37
My Pick: SJAM by 18
Justin Hardy and Devon Gallivan had 15 points each to pace the 'Landers in this one, while Hanani Ujullu led the way for the Rebels with 12.
(2) WCI 53, (7) Jacob Hespeler 30
My Pick: WCI by 17
I said that the Hawks would have to contain Aaron Grubb & Adam Piazza to have a shot, and those two combined for close to the JHSS total (Grubb - 17, Piazza - 11). Sean Borkhoff was the leading scorer for Hespeler with 7; the Hawks are still through to "AAA" CWOSSA next week.
(3) Cameron Hts. 42, (6) Preston 34
My Pick: CHCI by 8
The key players for both teams stepped up in this one, but it was the Gaels who were ahead at the finish. Jake Dekker (18) and Raghu Podipireddy (10) led the way for Cameron, while Jaskaran Attwal (18) and Mitchell Devonish (9) topped the Panther scoresheet.
(4) Grand River 54, (5) Bluevale 33
My Pick: GRCI by 7
Thought this might be closer, but the Rens took command early and didn't look back. Aleks Cvrkalj netted 21 in the win for GRCI, with Abdei Hamad and Nathan Rowe adding 8. Greg Smith, Will Scheffler and Trevelle Edwards all had 9 for the Knights.
Semifinals - Saturday
(1) SJAM vs. (4) Grand River
(2) WCI vs. (3) Cameron Heights
