It was essentially the top 4 teams advancing through to the D10 finals on both the junior and senior sides (exception in junior, where JF Ross won the 4/5 game). All of the higher seeds today won the season series 2-0, so we'll see if the lower seeds can turn things around today. Here's a look:Senior
(4) JF Ross at (1) Bishop Mac
Regular Season: BMAC 2-0 (36-21, 53-39)
My Pick: Bishop Mac 51, JF Ross 40
The first-place Bishop Mac Celtics rolled through the regular season, with just one slip-up at home against Lourdes. Both matchups between these squads were decided by double figures, although it can certainly be argued that JF Ross has improved as the season has gone on.
The Royals are coming off an emotional, hard-fought home win (51-48) over #5 Guelph CVI. It will be interesting to see if playing a tough game (whereas Bishop Mac had winless Orangeville in the quarters) well be a help, or a hindrance.
Interestingly enough, the last #1 or #2 seed to lose in the D10 Senior Semifinals was Bishop Mac back in 2011 --- to JF Ross. That said, have to pick the Celts here.
(3) Lourdes at (2) Centennial
Regular Season: CCVI 2-0 (54-50, 51-42)
My Pick: Centennial 49, Lourdes 47
A couple of single-digit games were all that separated these squads and the Crusaders have really come on down the stretch run --- particularly Rainey Psenicka, who is averaging 20 PPG over the past week.
I think we're headed for another barn-burner in this one, but I'll give the slight edge to Centennial with their home court, and their balanced scoring attack. It will be interesting to see who steps up for them today.
Junior
(5) JF Ross at (1) Bishop Mac
Regular Season: BMAC 2-0 (36-14, 47-25)
My Pick: Bishop Mac 45, JF Ross 24
The Bishop Mac Celtics are the class of the D10 junior league, and aside from a couple of close games against Lourdes during the regular season (4 & 9 points) and one other game against 3rd place Centennial (9 points), all of Bishop Mac's other 11 wins were by double digits.
Needless to say, JF Ross certainly has their work cut out for them here. I think the balance of Bishop Mac's scoring attack will lead them to victory at home.
(3) Centennial at (2) Lourdes
Regular Season: OLOL 2-0 (40-27, 40-28)
My Pick: Lourdes 44, Centennial 30
Despite this being a 2/3 matchup, Lourdes took both games during the regular season by double digits. They've been playing their best basketball down the stretch too, having won 7 D10 games (regular season + playoffs) in a row.
If the Spartans can grind this one out a bit, and keep it in the high 20s or low 30s, they certainly have a shot. I don't know if they'll be able to do that, and that's why I'll take the Crusaders at home.
