If there was a team in the WCSSAA Playoffs that those at the top of the standings didn't want to face, it was probably the KCI Raiders.The Raiders, who struggled early in the season as their (mostly) youthful roster adjusted to senior basketball, came on down the stretch and were playing some of the best basketball in the league entering the playoffs.
Just ask the Cameron Heights Golden Gaels.
The Gaels, who along with Grand River appeared to be the two teams with the best chances of advancing to OFSAA "AAAA" from CWOSSA, will instead watch from home after the #7 Raiders upset the #2 Gaels by a 49-46 score yesterday at Cameron Heights.
The Gaels narrowly led 13-12 after one quarter, and 28-22 at the half, before the Raiders surged over the final two frames to pick up the victory.
Alia Hazineh had 16 and Thea Taylor 10 for the Raiders, while Hunter Johns was strong in defeat for the Gaels with a 23-point effort. Nina Farkic added 18 more for Cameron.
Cameron Heights could have still advanced to "AAAA" CWOSSA with a Bluevale (#4 seed) win over #5 WCI, but it was not to be as the Vikes snatched a 55-51 road win in that quarterfinal game.
Kaylee Anagnostopoulos pumped home 24 points for the Vikes, with Danielle Sauve adding 17 more. Julia Curran scored 19 and Zoey Scanling added 15 for the Knights.
In the other quarterfinals, #3 Jacob Hespeler survived a chippy affair against one of their Cambridge rivals #6 Southwood, 46-37. Jasmine Ramcharan had 15 and Candice Wright 12 for the Hawks, while Taylor White had a game-high 16 for the Sabres with Brianne Jewell scoring 8.
Top-seeded Grand River, meanwhile, cruised past #9 Galt 58-31. Maya Day scored 17 and Tijana Abadzic added 8 for the Rens; Erin Wilson scored 9 and Sophie Caiton had 7 for the Ghosts.
Semifinals (played at the higher seeds) on Thursday will feature #5 WCI at #1 Grand River, and #7 KCI at #3 Jacob Hespeler.
CWOSSA Qualification
Like the junior ranks, the senior CWOSSA berths have also been determined.
For "AAAA", the two remaining Quad-A schools, #1 Grand River and #5 WCI, will get WCSSAA's CWOSSA berth.
On the "AAA" side, semifinalists (#3) Jacob Hespeler and (#7) KCI secured their CWOSSA berths, and will be joined by #4 Bluevale, the highest-seeded AAA team eliminated in the quarterfinals.
