BATTLE FOR FIRST

The top two teams in the east region collide in Kingston, Ont., this weekend when the four-time defending OCAA champion Algonquin Thunder visit the St. Lawrence Vikings.

Both teams are tied with eight wins, with St. Lawrence playing one extra game. Algonquin begins the second half of its season on Friday at Loyalist before the short trip east to the Limestone City on Saturday.

When these teams last met in Ottawa on Nov. 21, Algonquin won convincingly 74-50. Almost a year ago, however, St. Lawrence came as close as any team to upending the Thunder, losing by a basket, 50-48 at Algonquin. The Thunder have won 66 straight games against OCAA opponents (regular and post-season).

Fifth-year point guard Felicia Mazerolle (Elliot Lake, Ont.) leads all Algonquin players averaging 17.8 points per game. Two-time OCAA player of the year Lacey Knox (Kingston, Ont.) is the top scorer on St. Lawrence at 14.6 PPG.

St. Lawrence has played in the OCAA bronze medal game the last two seasons, making this one of the better match-ups on the women's basketball schedule.

BATTLE FOR THIRD

An excellent appetizer to the Algonquin-St. Lawrence showdown is Wednesday's meeting between Fanshawe and Sheridan.

The Falcons and Bruins have equal records at 7-3, with the winner grabbing sole possession of third place in the west region. This is a rematch of the season opener for both clubs, which Fanshawe won at home 65-54.

These opponents are trending in different directions in January. After winning its first seven games, Fanshawe has dropped three straight to fall out of first place in the region. After going .500 in its first six games, Sheridan has won four straight.

Third-year player Stephanie Antwi (Toronto) leads the Falcons averaging 10.7 points per game. Sheridan will lean on all-Canadian guard Shylanda Saunders (Dartmouth, N.S.) and her 19.4 points per game average.

ROAD COURT ADVANTAGE

The Centennial Colts have played this season with the knowledge that they have already secured a berth at provincials as tournament host this February.

The Colts have proven they are worthy of the automatic bye with a 6-3 record. Surprisingly, they have not taken advantage of their home court, something they will look to exploit at the championship.

Centennial has a sub-.500 record at home at 2-3. Conversely, the Colts are undefeated on the road at 4-0.

To be fair, two of those losses came against Algonquin and St. Lawrence, two teams with just one loss between them (a Thunder victory over the Vikings).

The Colts will have an opportunity to move above .500 at home over their next two games as Centennial hosts Seneca and Fleming.

MACK THE KNIFE

Fourth-year guard Mackenzie Merkley (Guelph, Ont.) was a clutch performer in Georgian's 56-52 win over Loyalist.

Merkley drained a pair of three-pointers in the game's final minute to put Georgian in the lead for good. She ended the game with 14 points, the third straight game she has reached double digits in scoring.

Although the Grizzlies have only three wins, they pulled within one game of a playoff spot. If Georgian is able to secure that post-season ticket by season’s end, Merkley’s late game heroics on Jan. 11 will take on greater significance.

RECENT RESULTS

UPCOMING GAMES

Source: OCAA Communications