SECOND TO NONE

With OCAA men's basketball championship host Durham locking up first place in the east region, second place remains a heck of a consolation prize, with the winner receiving a bye directly into the tournament.

That golden ticket is Georgian's to lose. If the Grizzlies win their final regular season game against Centennial on Wednesday, Georgian (13-6) will take second place. If Centennial (11-7) wins, then it is anyone's guess what will happen.

Seneca (12-6) would gain the inside track with wins in its final two games at Algonquin and La Cité plus a Georgian loss (the Sting lose out in a tiebreaker to the Grizzlies). If Seneca should falter, then St. Lawrence-Kingston (12-7) and Centennial will be there to pick up the pieces. Centennial visits St. Lawrence on Saturday in the regular season finale for both teams.

It has the makings for an exciting prelude to the OCAA post-season.

THIRST FOR FIRST

The top two OCAA teams (based on records) appear on the court together this Friday, with the west regional title on the line.

Mohawk (15-2) hosts Humber (16-1), needing a huge win on home court if the Mountaineers are to win the west. Based on losses to common opponents, Mohawk needs to win by no less than 21 points. Humber won the season opener between these teams 97-77.

While the regional plaque looks great in the trophy case, both teams are after a much bigger prize. Mohawk and Humber have already secured byes into provincials, and could meet again in the OCAA gold medal game on March 8.

MAY THE FOURTH BE WITH THE WINNER

Lambton and Redeemer have identical 10-7 records through 17 games. Both teams are Cinderella stories ending long post-season droughts. Fittingly, the winner of Saturday's regular season finale between these teams will host a playoff qualifier, clinching fourth place.

Lambton lost at Redeemer 92-69 back on Nov. 15. This was the start of a nine game win streak by the Royals.

These teams have had success against third-place Fanshawe (12-5). The Falcons have defeated both Mohawk and Humber, but lost a combined three games against Lambton and Redeemer.

The losing team on Saturday still has a tomorrow, albeit on the road against an east regional opponent.

SIXTH DISTRICT

George Brown and Loyalist are currently tied for the sixth and final playoff berth in the east region. These 10-9 teams are evenly matched, having split their season series with both games going to overtime.

If these teams remained tied at season's end, the OCAA tiebreakers come into play. If Centennial loses its final two games, there could be a three-way tie.

A key part of the OCAA tiebreaker is record against the team occupying the highest position in the final regular season standings. Centennial's victory against Durham on Nov. 29 comes up big in this scenario, and would give the Colts the edge. Breaking the tie between George Brown and Loyalist is much harder, given that the remaining positions in the standings are as clear as mud.

For example, if Georgian finishes in second place, Loyalist gets the tiebreaker over George Brown, having defeated the Grizzlies on Jan. 11. If Seneca finishes in second place, George Brown gets the tiebreaker with its win over the Sting back in October.

Either way, these teams will need to take care of business first. Loyalist hosts Durham (16-3) while George Brown hosts Fleming (1-18). Both games are on Friday.

In the west region, sixth place is a little more clearer. Niagara (7-10) hosts Sheridan (7-10) while St. Clair (7-10) hosts Fanshawe. Sheridan advances to the post-season with a win. St. Clair advances to the playoffs with a win and Sheridan loss, while Niagara is awarded the sixth seed with a win and St. Clair loss.

RECENT RESULTS

UPCOMING GAMES

Source: OCAA Communications