WCSSAA Junior: Top-Ranked Highlanders Hold On Against Renegades

It came down to the wire in East Kitchener on Tuesday afternoon, but the SJAM Highlanders were able to hold on to their unblemished WCSSAA record following a 64-60 nailbiter over the host Grand River Renegades.

Both teams had balanced scoresheets, with 3 double-figure scorers.  SJAM had a trio of 12-point efforts, contributed by Maksim Kopvivicia, Filip Popovic, and Nicolas Milosevic.  Zarko Ubiparip and Luka Ninkovic both had a game-high 17 each for Grand River, while Abdei Hamad chipped in with 13 points.

In other action on Tuesday:

WCI 52, WODSS 35
The Vikings quietly continue their ascent up the WCSSAA standings, backed by Abil Mesfin (14) and Bryce Scarrow (9).  Jason Holmes (8) and Cam Mehring (7) led the way for the Crusaders.

Eastwood 75, Cameron Hts. 57
The Rebels continue to impress, posting a second-consecutive win over a top-10 ranked WCSSAA opponent (remaining undefeated at 5-0 in the process).  Layee Jabateh poured in 27 points in the win, while Prabhjit Sangha added 17.  Steven Sanders had 16 and Lala Shehi 14 for Cameron.

Forest Hts. 46, Huron Hts. 27
The Trojans were able to contain Huron's scoring sensation, Kuel Thomas, holding him to 9 points in this one.  Filip Cabrilo had 15 and Branko Damjanovic 14 for the Trojans.

Galt 52, Elmira 24
The Ghosts picked up their first win of the year at Elmira's expense.  Muhammad Irsalan (11) and Sullivan Murphy (10) led the way for Galt, while Isaac Neumann had 8 for Elmira.

Bluevale 51, KCI 37
In the battle of the two schools that I attended during my high school days, Greg Smith had 18 and Michael Allen was also in double-figures for the Knights with 11 in their win over KCI.  Aleks Novicic had 11 to pace the Raiders.

Glenview Park 61, Preston 38
Rebein Rashid netted 18 and Huzaifa Hassan added 10 more as Glenview Park won the "battle of the Panthers" over Preston.  Jordan Ackie had 13 for PHS.

Southwood 35, Jacob Hespeler 31
Points were at a premium in this one, but Southwood takes it over their North Cambridge rival.  Aaron Kuch had 12 for the Sabres; Muhammad Ali led JHSS with 9.

WCSSAA Junior Standings
T1.  Eastwood 5-0
T1.  SJAM 5-0
T3.  Bluevale 4-1
T3.  Forest Hts. 4-1
T3.  Huron Hts. 4-1
T3.  WCI 4-1
T7.  Grand River 3-2
T7.  Glenview Park 3-2
T9.  KCI 2-3
T9.  Cameron Hts. 2-3
T11.  Galt 1-4
T11.  Preston 1-4
T11.  Southwood 1-4
T11.  WODSS 1-4
T15.  Jacob Hespeler 0-5
T15.  Elmira 0-5