WATERLOO REGION (February 26, 2020) – On Tuesday night, in a packed St. Benedict’s gym, the Saints were looking to cap off an undefeated District 8 campaign against the Eagles who they beat twice in January by 13 and one point respectively. However, St. Mary’s was not interested in getting beat for a third time.

The first half saw both teams trading blows, each going on small scoring runs and sharing time with the lead, but ending the half with the Saints holding a one point advantage.

The third quarter was owned by St. Mary’s defence and rebounding as they held the Saints to only nine points in the frame. Eagles’ Aaron Brush was a consistent scorer on the night which included seven of his team’s 16 third quarter points.

Point guard Raf Llorin tried to help get the Saint’s offence momentum back in the fourth quarter hitting two big threes which energized the gym, but the tough play from the Eagles was too much to overcome as the Eagles downed the Saints 53-47.

Brush led the Eagles in scoring with 15 points, while Neron Angelo scored 12 and Ozay David and James Wani each added eight points.

Llorin was the game’s top scorer with 17 points while teammate Aiden Whalen added 11.

St. Mary’s will now play in the triple-A CWOSSA championships which has shifted to Saturday February 29th in Kitchener with the semi-finals and finals taking place Monday March 2nd. In the event that teacher union job action affects games on Monday, the semi-finals and finals will be played on Sunday March 1st. St. David’s will compete in the double-A CWOSSA tournament February 27th and 29th in Guelph, while Woodland will play in the single-A tournament February 29th in Walkerton.

Prior to the senior final, the Resurrection junior squad looked to complete a perfect season as they took on a talented Monsignor Doyle team.

Phoenix guards Diego Ramos and Nate Chan opened up the first quarter on fire scoring eleven and seven points respectively giving Resurrection a 24-11 lead.

The scoring torch was then passed onto grade nine guard Marcus Johnson who scored a game high 24 points, leading the Phoenix past the Mustangs 85-55 for their second straight junior title.

Chan finished the game with 22 points while Ramos scored 19. Mustang’s Dominic Lamontagne had a great game for the Mustangs scoring 22 points.

Resurrection will also play in the triple-A CWOSSA championships in Waterloo on Saturday with the same flex schedule as the senior event for semi-finals and finals. Monsignor Doyle will play in the double-A CWOSSA Championships February 27th and 29th and Woodland will play in the single-A tournament February 29th.

St. Benedict’s upset the previously undefeated Resurrection team in the novice championship on Tuesday 64-46.

Saint’s had a balanced scoring attack with five players scoring in double digits, led by Tristen Elises with 14 and Zach Osman with 12.

Phoenix Kyle Fernandes lead the game in scoring with 15 points.