I won't be in attendance at the WCSSAA Finals tonight (having to look after our 10 month old while my wife is at the Leafs game - unfair!), but that doesn't take away from the fact that tonight's Junior & Senior WCSSAA finals might be two of the most (combined) competitive girls' finals that we've seen in recent memory.In both leagues, the #1 and #2 ranked teams both advanced to the playoff final, and games played between the teams this season were decided within ten points.
Note - both games will be played at Preston HS in Cambridge.
Junior: (1) WODSS vs. (2) KCI (6:30pm)
A year after losing in the championship final to SJAM, the WODSS Crusaders are back for a second consecutive season, with the bulk of that roster now with a year's additional seasoning.
The 'Saders rolled through the WCSSAA regular season, posting an unblemished 12-0 record, which included a 45-35 win in Baden over the #2-seeded Raiders.
Aside from that game and an 8-point win over #3 SJAM, the Crusaders didn't see a league game closer than 20 points.
KCI, meanwhile, was the league's defensive juggernaut, allowing just two teams (EDSS & WODSS) to score more than 35 points during a game. Their defensive arsenal was on full display last week, when they held the #3 seed SJAM Highlanders to just 20 points in a 32-20 semifinal victory.
Grace Mickie has been a consistent double-digit threat for the Raiders, who also often receive scoring support from Maggie McLean and Natalie Armatage.
Rachael Beitz & MacKeely Shantz of the Crusaders are the league's highest scoring duo, but that shouldn't discount the talents of the other WODSS juniors as players like Madeline Woolvett, Molly Cameron, Madalyn Davidson and Madi Sadler are more than capable of contributing.
With this game being played on a neutral court, I think that it certainly has the potential of being closer than their regular season meeting. That said, I'll give the advantage to WODSS, especially with their experience of having played in a WCSSAA final last season.
My Pick: WODSS 43, KCI 35
Senior: (1) SJAM vs. (2) Cameron Heights (8:00pm)
Two of the best players in the WCSSAA league will highlight the Senior WCSSAA championship final, which features two teams who both went through the league undefeated.
The 'Landers and Golden Gaels missed each other during the league's 12-game schedule, but they did play a thriller down in Cambridge earlier this year, as part of the Jacob Hespeler tournament.
That one came down to the wire, and was a game that the 'Landers pulled out by a 40-38 margin. Both Nina Farkic (CHCI) and Kate Moran (SJAM) were solid for their teams in this one, and I'd expect nothing different here tonight.
Moran, a grade ten forward, has been playing some of the best basketball down the stretch of the season as she adjusts to the senior game and finds her comfort zone. She's had four games of 20+ points in league play (including a monster 34-point effort) during the last month.
Farkic, meanwhile, has been solid all season long for the Gaels as the league's leading scorer, in excess of 20 PPG. She's an exceptional PG with tremendous dribbling and passing ability as well, so she is equally adept at setting up her teammates.
While a lot of focus will be on Moran and Farkic, these are both talented rosters, and the game will likely be decided on which team's depth shines through on Tuesday.
Griffin Lack-Shane and Joanna Bamberger are grade elevens who were members of SJAM's junior championship team a season ago. Add in sniper Milica Koprivica, and the 'Landers can put up points in a hurry if their shots are dropping from the outside.
Jovana Zubic, Andjela Stankovic, and Katrina Stickel are the Gaels to keep an eye on aside from Farkic; each has had important contributions throughout the WCSSAA season.
Like their tournament meeting, this one should also come down to the wire, but I can't discount the fact that SJAM has been playing some really nice basketball down the stretch. I'll take the 'Landers in a close one.
My Pick: SJAM 45, Cameron Heights 39
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