After watching some of the other leagues get under way, the Senior Girls' WCSSAA league is set to get themselves started this evening with a full slate of 7 games. As it's a 15-team league (no Glenview Park), Grand River will get the opening day "bye" today.Huron Heights at Bluevale
My Pick: BCI
Things will be a lot different at Bluevale this year, with their strong backcourt of Sarah Hamm and Natalie Bishop having graduated. Kailee Sawyer will take part in Cross Country this year as her fall sport, so it definitely appears to be a bit more of an uphill climb for the Knights this year, who are now competing at the CWOSSA "AAA" level. That said, I still look for them to pull out a win at home here.
Cameron Heights at Galt
My Pick: CHCI
With some strong early season performances, the Cameron Heights Golden Gaels look like a team that should be in the running for a WCSSAA championship (and a CWOSSA "AAAA" berth). Strong guard play from Nina Farkic and a post presence in Hunter Johns should propel them to an opening victory today down in Cambridge.
Eastwood at Elmira
My Pick: EDSS
In reviewing the early season schedule, this one looked the most like a "coin flip" among today's games. Both teams finished with similar records in both the junior and senior circuits last year --- I'll go with the home Lancers to prevail here.
Forest Heights at Jacob Hespeler
My Pick: JHSS
The Hawks, who were WCSSAA runners-up last year, have as good a shot of anyone of getting back to the title game, provided they can stay healthy (which has been their nemesis over the past few seasons). Their front-line duo of Courtney (currently rehabbing a knee injury though) & Candice Wright (Vermont commits) will be aided by some talent coming up from last year's CWOSSA "AAA" silver medalists, including Kendra Dennis and Taylor Finamore. JHSS to win here.
SJAM at Preston
My Pick: SJAM
Two clubs that both finished on the outside looking in last year with 2-10 league records, one of them will have the opportunity to get their season off on the right foot here. SJAM showed an improved ability to score the ball at last weekend's ECI tournament, so I'll go with them in this matchup.
KCI at WCI
My Pick: WCI
Well, I have to put myself out there, and it's certainly tough here given that I expect both of these teams to be in the upper echelon of the WCSSAA league. KCI has a plethora of talent coming up from the junior ranks, and I won't be surprised regardless of how this one plays out. Tough to pick against WCI at home, so I'll go with a big performance from WCI star Kaylee Anagnostopoulos and a Viking win.
WODSS at SSS
My Pick: SSS
It's certainly a different year this year out in Baden, as the majority of last year's WCSSAA championship team has departed, including league MVP Maddy Horst (Western U). In fact, Tess Pettigrew is the lone remaining starter for the Crusaders. There could be some early-season growing pains while they get adjusted to their new rotation, so I'll go with the home Sabres who return a couple of talented scorers in Taylor White and Brianne Jewell.
