WCSSAA Senior: Ghosts, Highlanders Hold Off Upset-Minded Opposition

The SJAM Highlanders and the Galt Ghosts received a bit of a second-semester wake-up call from the WCI Vikings and Jacob Hespeler Hawks respectively on the opening day of February WCSSAA basketball.

SJAM actually trailed the steadily-improving WCI Vikings by three points after three quarters, but used a 14-5 final frame to come away with a 66-60 victory.

Nedim Hodzic was unstoppable for SJAM, recording a 27-point, 14-rebound double-double.  Brett Parrott added 16, while Simon Petrov was also in double-figures with 12.

Three Vikes also hit for double-figure scoring efforts -- Sam Sutherland (21), Nick Johnny (12) and Aaron Grubb (11).

Meanwhile, down in Cambridge, the Galt Ghosts had their hands full with the one-win Jacob Hespeler Hawks, holding them off in a 44-39 final.

TJ Lall netted 21 points for the Ghosts, with Matt Woeller adding 14.  Eric Purdy did much of the Hespeler damage, with 17.

The other games on Tuesday went generally as expected:

Cameron Hts. 60, Forest Hts. 48
Sasha Simic had 14 and Nik Farkic added 12 for the Gaels as they strengthened their hold on second place in the WCSSAA standings.  Tim Gajdos had a game-high 16 for FHCI, with Manraj Jugpal adding 10.

Eastwood 65, Huron Hts. 51
Cham Ujullu (19) and Hanani Ujullu (12) led the way for the Rebs here as they moved into 7th place by virtue of their win and FHCI's loss.  Bilal Ahmed had 19 for the Huskies.

KCI 52, Preston 25
Sam McLean and Stefan Simic had 11 each for KCI as they handled Preston with ease.  Jaskaran Attwal had 6 for the Panthers.

Southwood 53, Elmira 38
The Sabres' playoff hopes are kept alive with a win at Elmira; Moiz Masud had 11 and David Gutschon 10 in the victory.  Colin Wideman had a nice effort in defeat, pouring in a game-high 23.

WCSSAA Senior Standings
1.  SJAM 9-1**
2.  Cameron Hts. 8-1*
3.  Grand River 7-2*
4.  KCI 7-3*
T5.  Galt 6-3*
T5.  WCI 6-3*
7.  Eastwood 6-4*
8.  Forest Hts. 5-4*
9.  Huron Hts. 4-5*
T10.  Bluevale 2-7
T10.  Southwood 2-7
T10.  Preston 2-7
13.  Jacob Hespeler 1-8
14.  Elmira 0-10

** - clinched 1st round bye
* - clinched playoff berth