When the dust settled and all the playoff scenarios and tiebreaker were decided, the top six teams from both the East and West Regions emerged to make their run at the OCAA Championship title to be handed at Algonquin College in Ottawa on March 6-7th. The trek to Ottawa kicked off this weekend with four cross-over games taking place.

First up was a match up between the visiting Algoma Thunderbirds and the Durham Lords. The game may have appeared to be a mismatch on paper with the Thunderbirds squeaking into the final playoff spot in the West, while the Durham Lords lost out on a first round bye due to the tie-breaker. The Lords jumped out of the gate taking a 21 point lead early before the Thunderbirds clawed their way back, closing the gap to seven at the half. With a back and fourth second half, Durham’s Evan Browne missed a last second shot sending the game into overtime. Patrick Murray put the Thunderbirds on his back scoring 19 second half points leading the Algoma to the 91-87 upset win over Durham. Eric Smith of the Lords scored a game high 25 points in a losing effort. Algoma moves on to take Fanshawe on February 28th.

The Sheridan Bruins knocked off the Cambrian Golden Shield 108-82 to keep their hopes of a repeat alive. The Bruins were led by a balanced attack that saw five players score in double figures. Cory Cooper scored a team high 24 points for the Bruins, while teammate Tab Donaldson chipped in 21. Cambrian’s Brady Bolan scored a game high 29 points in the loss. With the win, the Bruins now travel to Ottawa to take on the 18-2 Algonquin Thunder in the marquee match up of the week on February 28th.

The Fleming Knights bounced back from two straight losses to hand the visiting St. Clair Saints a 108-78 loss. Jovain Wilson of the Knights returned to form scoring a game high 30 points in the win. Neil O’Sullivan and Tony Duran combined to score 42 to help Fleming to victory. The Saints were led by Nolan Gooding and his 18 points, while teammate David Korenic chipped in 16 in the loss. Fleming will now travel to Humber to take on the top seed in the West.

The Niagara Knights advanced to the next round of the OCAA playoffs as the knocked off the George Brown Huskies 73-62. The Knights were led by Jeremy Settimi and his 14 points. Settimi was joined by three of his teammates who also put up double figure point totals in the win. The games top scorer was Collin Whitely of George Brown who scored 26 points in a losing effort. Niagara now travels to Kingston to take on St. Lawrence.

Quarter-Final Games:
Sheridan @ Algonquin – Feb. 28th, 7pm
Fleming @ Humber – Feb. 28th, 2pm
Algoma @ Fanshawe – Feb. 28th, 3pm
Niagara @ St. Lawrence – Feb. 28th, 4pm