WCSSAA Semifinals: Raiders Into Senior Semis as #11 Seed

For the first time in WCSSAA history, a double-digit seed has advanced through to the semifinals.

In the "old days" about a decade ago, before WCSSAA's imbalanced schedule, they wouldn't have even been a playoff team, as only the top 8 teams used to qualify.

That team would be the KCI Raiders, the #11 seed, who took out the #3 Grand River Renegades on Tuesday by a 56-40 count, advancing through to the semifinals for the second consecutive season in upset fashion and setting up an intriguing semifinal matchup against the Cameron Heights Golden Gaels.

Last year, as a #7 seed, the Raiders took out #2 Cameron Heights in a quarterfinal match-up, so the Gaels will certainly be looking for some "playoff revenge" today, while the Raiders will be hoping that their upset ways continue.

Their regular season meeting was relatively close, with the Gaels pulling out a 50-39 win, backed by double-digit efforts from Nina Farkic (18) and Jovana Zubic (10).  The Raiders also had three players in double-figures that day --- Simone Clarke (11), Alia Hazineh (11) and Olivia Mickie (10).

It should be an entertaining game, especially the way the Raiders are playing right now.

#1 SJAM will take on #5 Bluevale in the other semifinal, after the Knights staged a 4th quarter rally from 12 points down to defeat #4 WCI.  

SJAM was a 44-32 winner during the regular season, and the Knights will need to do a better job of slowing down Kate Moran this time around, as she potted 23 points in that contest.

In terms of CWOSSA qualification, today's winners will receive "AAA" CWOSSA berths.  The highest seed not to advance will receive WCSSAA's third berth.  In other words, if KCI does not beat Cameron Heights today, then SJAM, CHCI and BCI will be the representatives.

In terms of "AA", I've been told that there is a play-in game today between Glenview Park & Galt for the CWOSSA berth.

Junior
No upsets on Tuesday in the quarterfinal round, so the top four schools have all advanced to the semifinals.

#1 WODSS started slow, but used a stifling press to go on a big run over the 2nd and 3rd quarters to pull away from #8 Galt, 47-22.  This earns the Crusaders another home date, this time with #4 Elmira.

During their "Battle of the Barns" meeting earlier this year at Elmira, the Crusaders controlled that match-up, limiting Natalie Mayer to just 12 points in a 47-25 win.  WO had a very balanced attack that game, with contributions up and down their roster.

#2 KCI and #3 SJAM will meet for the first time this season in their semifinal; both finished with identical 1-loss records (both losing to WODSS) with KCI earning the home date based upon the "point differential against common opponents" tiebreak.

The Raiders and 'Landers could arguably be the best of the four semifinals on tap today.

'Landers Seek Unique Feat
With both their Junior & Senior Girls' teams into the semifinals, the SJAM Highlanders still have hope alive of setting a unique record.  

At no point in WCSSAA history has a school concurrently held all four basketball titles -- Junior/Senior Boys & Junior/Senior Girls.

Of course, the SJAM boys took home both titles in February and enter the upcoming season as the reigning champions, while the girls still have the opportunity to do so if they can post wins today and on Tuesday. 

Senior Picks
Cameron Hts. 47, KCI 41
SJAM 41, Bluevale 34

Junior Picks
WODSS 46, Elmira 27
KCI 44, SJAM 41