WATERLOO REGION (February 19, 2016) – On Friday night the much anticipated senior boys final matchup between the undefeated St. Benedict’s Saints and a St. Mary’s Eagles team that is of fire of late was played in front of a packed house.

Both teams came out strong trading baskets early before the Saints went on a 7-2 run in the second quarter fueled by three point shooting from Justin Malnerich and attacking play of point guard Zubair Seyed.

Late in the second quarter, Eagles sharpshooters Adham Eleeda and Tyreak Farquharson each dropped two threes which was followed up by Saints’ Seyed hitting a fade away, buzzer beater, corner three to close out the half with a 37-29 lead.

The second half was all St. Benedict’s as St. Mary’s was held to just 22 points in the frame.

Malnerich scored a quick five points in the third quarter followed by a Devante Douse dunk which got the crowd roaring. The fourth quarter was much of the same with Alex Douglas, Evan Rodenburg and Douse out hustling the Eagles on the glass on route to a 64-51 win.

Douse lead the Saints with 22 points, 14 of which were scored in the second half, while Seyed scored 20. Eleeda lead the Eagles with 19.

With the win, St. Benedict’s advances to the AAA CWOSSA Championships in Waterloo February 26th and 27th. St. David’s will host a qualification game for the AA division on Tuesday at 3:00pm, while Rockway will represent D8 at the A CWOSSA Championships.

St. Mary’s junior squad entered their final against St. Benedict’s heavily favoured after they completed their District 8 season undefeated.

The first quarter started in a basket-for-basket affair until St. Mary’s went on a 17-0 run opening up a 34-18 lead at the half. Grade 9 centre Eric Martin was a defensive stopper in the first half forcing turnovers and blocking shots.

St. Benedict’s grade nine forward Ben Mascarenhas tried to give his team momentum with the outside shot but the Eagles defence held him to seven second half points and 15 for the game. Sebastian Llorin also chipped in seven points for the Saints.

The starting guard tandem of Ethan Passley and Michael Carali for St. Mary’s lead the scoring charge and closed out the game 68-45. Passley would drop 17, Carali scored 12, while teammate Gew Chuol chipped in nine.

The Eagles will advance to the AAA CWOSSA Championships in Waterloo on February 26th and 27th. St. David’s who lost in the District 8 semi-final will play a AA CWOSSA qualification game on Tuesday, and Rockway will advance to the A CWOSSA Championship in Owen Sound.

The grade nine midget game was also played on Friday night between Resurrection and St. Mary’s. This match stayed fairly even with the Phoenix keeping within a few baskets until the four minute mark of the second quarter. St. Mary’s went on a run which gave them a 28-16 lead at the half.

In the second half, Eagles’ shooting guard Samuel Kannah scored nine of his game high 16 points as they cruised to a 63-29 win.