We've come full circle.
After a decade (and a bit) of having the "AAAA" CWOSSA designation,
we are back to a three-tiered system this year, "A" through
"AAA".
For the most part, the "AAA" and "AAAA" designations have
been merged under the "AAA" banner, which should make for some
competitive championships in both girls' and boys' divisions this coming year.
I'll start my CWOSSA previews with a look at the "AAA" Junior
Ranks. Teams are in alphabetical order:
Brantford CI (Brantford)
Last CWOSSA JG Championship: None
The Mustangs, who have been at the top of my CWOSSA rankings
this season, enter the CWOSSA tournament as the favourites, after going
undefeated against CWOSSA opposition.
Of course, they did get a push from the North Park Trojans
in the D5 championship series, having to come from behind in the second game to
win (and take the series, 2-0). That experience of a "close
game" is actually a positive and should serve them well heading into
CWOSSA.
The 'Stangs have been a nice story to watch over the last two years; I actually
had them as my #3 ranked junior team last year but they had to play #1
Kitchener Resurrection in a play-in game to advance to (the 4 team) AAAA CWOSSA
tournament.
With veteran leadership and solid guard play, led by Kennedy Chisholm -- who is
a great distributor and can also finish inside or shoot the three -- the
'Stangs certainly have the "championship make-up" of traditional
CWOSSA winners.
Forward Taylor Hill should be another strong performer for the Mustangs; she
provides an inside presence but also can step out and hit the three-pointer.
BCI has done it with defense all season, and for other teams to have a shot
they will have to manage themselves against a variety of changing defenses,
including a stifling pressure defense that has given teams fits on occasion
this year.
Centennial CVI (Guelph)
Last CWOSSA JG Championship: None
The Spartans have had some injury issues this season, but
still managed a 4th place finish in the competitive District 10 circuit.
Sabrina Smith has been a solid performer all year for the
Spartans, with several 20+ efforts during league play, and is a double-double
threat. Abby Cain and Megan VanderMerwe -- who had a big game for CCVI
during their quarterfinal win over ODSS -- are two other players to watch this
weekend.
The Spartans don't have an easy road, playing Resurrection in the first round
and then either Waterloo-Oxford or North Park in round two, but given their D10
experience (5 games against two of the top three teams in CWOSSA will have
prepared them for tough opponents) they could certainly spring an upset if they
are overlooked.
Kitchener CI (Kitchener)
Last CWOSSA JG Championship: None
Fresh off of (in all likelihood) the biggest fourth quarter
comeback in WCSSAA Junior Girls' final history, the KCI Raiders certainly have
momentum on their side entering the CWOSSA tournament, where they will be
seeking their first-ever title.
Although Grace Mickie has been KCI's top scorer throughout the season, they
certainly can get timely contributions from others, as evidenced by Emily
Smith's game-tying three-pointer as time wound down the other evening.
Natalie Armatage and Maggie McLean are others to keep an eye on.
The Raiders may be one of the hottest teams right now in this tournament,
having beaten WODSS in the WCSSAA final and, last week, having held SJAM to
just 20 points in a semifinal win.
North Park CVS (Brantford)
Last CWOSSA JG Championship: 2009 (AAA)
Total CWOSSA JG Championships: 5 (All AAA)
If you're looking for a "darkhorse" at this CWOSSA
championship, it might be the North Park Trojans, who have been a bit under the
radar this year.
The Trojans have been in the shadow of their league counterparts, the Brantford
CI Mustangs, but gave the 'Stangs a run for their money in the Brant County
final.
Simrand Grewal was a top performer for the Trojans during that best-of-three
series, knocking in a couple of threes and leading the offensive effort.
Bria Yurczyszyn and Noelle Adams will also be instrumental to the Trojans'
success.
Orangeville DSS (Orangeville)
Last CWOSSA JG Championship: 1988 (AA)
Total CWOSSA JG Championships: 1
It's been a while since we've seen the Bears in the CWOSSA
championships, so congrats to them for again being featured in the tournament.
Though they finished with a 6-8 record in the tough D10 league, they gave 3rd
place St. James (losses by 1 & 6) and 4th place Centennial (losing in
the QF by 1) a run for their money. They will certainly be the underdogs
in this tournament, but as those results show, they can't be overlooked.
Hannah Bellai, who put home several 20+ scoring efforts during the season,
leads the Bears' charge, while Lindsay Grant is also one to keep tabs on.
Resurrection CSS (Kitchener)
Last CWOSSA JG Championship: 2014 (AAAA)
Total CWOSSA JG Championships: 1
The Phoenix are technically defending champions, having won
the AAAA title a season ago. In the championship final last year, they
got a great performance from (then grade 9) Delina Romano off the bench, while
forward Buse Bin-Edward started in that game and is her usual imposing
shot-blocking presence. Both of them will provide big-game experience as
grade tens.
Of course, they did graduate some serious offensive talent
to the senior ranks, but their defense didn't skip a beat --- setting a D8
record for fewest points per game allowed in a season. In fact, they also
would have likely set a D8 single-game finals record (St. David had but 2 points
after 3 quarters) before the Celts tallied 12 against the Rez bench late for a
total of 14 (record was 13).
Grade 9 PG Sydney Gucker-Wickie might be the D8 league's MVP, and her ability
to handle pressure against some of these teams will be key to Rez's success.
Sir John A. MacDonald SS (Waterloo)
Last CWOSSA JG Championship: None
The Highlanders are back in the CWOSSA championships again
this year, after a 3rd place league finish and a qualifying game win over
Elmira.
The 'Landers will certainly have the home advantage and the
crowd support on Friday, with first and second-round games being on their home
floor. This shouldn't be overlooked and could definitely help them pull a
potential upset.
SJAM is also a very balanced team, with three different players having led them
in scoring during their three WCSSAA playoff games -- Olivia Moreau, Madi
Sherman, and Sarah Hardy. Olivia Moreau is also a strong performer,
having been the 'Landers 2nd leader in each of those three contests.
Waterloo-Oxford DSS (Baden)
Last CWOSSA JG Championship: 2003 (AAAA)
Total CWOSSA JG Championships: 4 (2 AA, 1 AAA, 1 AAAA)
One of the three teams that have earned an AA, AAA, and AAAA
Junior Girls' title since 1983, the Crusaders will try to add another one to
their tally this weekend in Waterloo.
Coming off a disappointing loss to KCI in the aforementioned WCSSAA final, I'm
sure the Crusaders will be out to prove a point this weekend.
Rachael Beitz & MacKeely Shantz were' WCSSAA's highest scoring duo, and
will be counted upon heavily in CWOSSA. Of course, the 'Saders have other
talented hoopsters -- including several who played last year on WO's AAA Silver
Medalist team. Madeline Woolvett, Molly Cameron, Madalyn Davidson and
Madi Sadler are those to watch this weekend.
Predictions
There's a couple of interesting first-round match-ups, but
the one that appears the most intriguing is certainly WODSS against North Park,
two "top ten" CWOSSA teams that have been fairly close in my rankings
throughout the season.
Again, keep in mind first-round winners play first-round losers in the second
round (quarterfinals). After that, any loss results in elimination.
Here goes:
Round 1
KCI over Orangeville
Brantford CI over SJAM
Resurrection over Centennial
WODSS over North Park
Quarterfinals
KCI over SJAM
Brantford CI over Orangeville
Resurrection over North Park
WODSS over Centennial
Semifinals
Resurrection over KCI
Brantford CI over WODSS
Championship Final
Brantford CI over Resurrection
....of course, anything can happen between now and Saturday evening and it
would just take one upset to throw the whole draw out of whack. Good luck
to all teams!
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