It's the top four as expected on the junior side, and a bit of a mish-mash on the senior side, with seeds #1, #3, #5, and #7 still in the running for the WCSSAA title.We'll start on the senior side with the previews:
(5) WCI at (1) Grand River
Regular Season: GRCI 56, WCI 54
My Pick: Grand River 59, WCI 51
These teams met way back on September 23rd in what was then the season-opener for the Renegades. Both teams looked quite strong in that game, so you had the feeling that we'd see both of these clubs (at least) in the WCSSAA semifinals.
That said, a lot has changed as the injury bug has hit both teams to an extent. Of course, the key cogs on each team are still participating. Kaylee Anagnostopoulos and Danielle Sauve (who combined for 41 of WCI's 55 points against Bluevale) and Grand River's sensational backcourt core of Nancy Michael, Maya Day, and Nyamuoch Teny will all be sure to be able to light the scoreboard up in this one.
It's my understanding that the WCSSAA Finals will be hosted by the highest remaining seed this year --- so Grand River has, quite literally, home court advantage in the finals on the line. They'll need to get past the pesky Vikes first, which won't be easy, but I'll stick with the undefeated Rens here.
(7) KCI at (3) Jacob Hespeler
Regular Season: JHSS 41, KCI 32
My Pick: Jacob Hespeler 47, KCI 44
Hespeler won the regular-season matchup, although KCI did defeat JHSS on their home floor at the Hawks' home tourney back in September.
Both teams have gotten to this point with great team play, and scoring balance. For KCI, Alia Hazineh led the way in the quarterfinal win over Cameron, but Frances Campbell, Olivia Mickie, and Thea Taylor are capable of double-digit efforts on any given night.
Same thing goes for JHSS. Candice Wright has been arguably the most dominant post presence in the Senior Girls' circuit this season, while forward Shianne Riggan and guards Kendra Dennis and Jasmine Ramcharan are all possible names that you could see at the top of the scoresheet.
You really have to throw the games that these teams played in September out the window, as both of them have come a long way. I see another single-digit contest but home edge gets the Hawks my pick.
Junior
(4) Galt at (1) SJAM
Regular Season: SJAM 54, GCI 29
My Pick: SJAM 59, GCI 33
The SJAM Highlanders are staying the course.
With a team this talented, you occasionally have to wonder if overconfidence will set in, given that they're probably 20ish point favourites over any team in WCSSAA (for reference, they defeated #2 WODSS 38-16 in league play).
To their credit, they've continued winning their way, which is through strong defense and a very balanced offensive attack led by Kate Moran, Griffin Lack-Shane and Joanna Bamberger.
Galt also has seen good scoring balance from their core of key players --- Beth Fleming, Juley Dunlop, Erin Woeller, and Amy Newnham. They'll need strong efforts from all to keep this one tight against the powerhouse 'Landers.
(3) Jacob Hespeler at (2) WODSS
Regular Season: WODSS 26, JHSS 18
My Pick: WODSS 49, JHSS 35
These two squads played a "first-team to 25" wins type of game back in September, with the Crusaders taking the victory in that low-scoring affair.
Personally, I think that's the type of game that Jacob Hespeler will need to try to play here again versus WODSS, as the Crusaders are much more comfortable in an uptempo, high-scoring game. They've hit 48+ points six times during the regular season, and scoring 69 in their quarterfinal win over Huron Heights.
Any one of the Crusaders' key five can lead them in scoring: Emily Glendinning, Rachael Beitz, Madeline & Rachel Woolvett and Madalyn Davidson. Hespeler is a bit more reliant on a couple of their key players, most notably Charlotte Clifford, Amy Claydon, and Kayla Gallant.
I think the Crusaders will be a bit more comfortable on their home court and I like them to advance here.
