The OSBA Final 8 Tournament kicked off with the Women’s Quarter-Finals on Thursday, March 7 at Ryerson University’s Mattamy Athletic Centre in Toronto.

The top seeds in all the matchups prevailed and will advance to the semifinals on Saturday, March 9. 

Crestwood Prep (1) vs. Southwest Academy (8)

The first game of the day saw the number one ranked Crestwood Prep up by seven points at the end of the first quarter over eighth-ranked Southwest Academy. Southwest held strong to keep their deficit at seven heading into half. Aaliyah Edwards recorded a 10/11 double double in the first half for Crestwood and ended the game with a game-high 28 points and 21 rebounds. With only five points separating the teams halfway through the third, Crestwood’s Edwards and Shayeann Day-Wilson turned up the heat, scoring a combined 30 points in the last two quarters. Day-Wilson finished with 23/8 and teammate Rebecca Demeke finished the game with a 13/11 double double. Southwest’s Lemyah Hylton scored a team-high 16 points. Southwest was able to pressure Crestwood to turn the ball over 26 times, but failed to keep them off the boards with Crestwood grabbing a total of 67 rebounds compared to Southwest’s 45 boards. In the end, Crestwood took the game 84-67. 

Capital Courts Academy (2) vs. TRC Academy (7)

Number two ranked Capital Courts Academy were on the wrong side of a 23-10 first quarter against seventh-ranked TRC Academy. TRC put an immense amount of pressure on their opponent, forcing seven turnovers and a mere 19% shooting in the first quarter. TRC’s energy continued into the second with Lisa Tesson ending the half with 11 of her game-high 21 points and four steals. Capital Courts regained their composure in the second quarter and used their size to cut the lead to only four at the break. TRC came back hard after half, going up 49-39 before Capital Courts bounced back and went on a 12-0 run to end the third quarter up four points. It was a tight contest the entire fourth with Capital Courts holding on 81-72 in the end. Capital Courts got a huge push from both their bench, who scored 31 points, and their second chance points, scoring 22 points off 27 offensive boards. Micah Dennis led the charge for Capital Courts, scoring 13 points, adding 11 assists, nine rebounds and seven steals.

King’s Christian Collegiate (4) vs. Niagara Prep (5)

Fourth seed King’s Christian Collegiate and fifth seed Niagara Prep went back and forth in the third game of the day before King’s Christian finished strong for the win. Mide Oriyomi set the tone early for King’s Christian, shooting 100% in the first quarter, where she scored 12 of her game-high 26 points. After a slow start, Niagara hung around all game, taking the lead or drawing within a possession at multiple points throughout the match. They excelled in transition, scoring 19 of their 63 points on fast breaks. King’s Christian ended the first half on a 14-3 run to put some distance between the two teams. Niagara chipped away at the lead in the third, but struggled to hold off King’s Christian attack. King’s Christian took control in the fourth, hitting timely three’s and ultimately claiming the game 74-63.

Lincoln Prep Huskies (3) vs. Bill Crothers Colts (6)

The game between number three seed Lincoln Prep Huskies and number six seed Bill Crothers Colts came down to the wire with both teams fighting to the end for their spot in the semifinals. Fueled by 11 points by Ahriahna Grizzle, the Colts led 23-19 after the first quarter. The second quarter was tightly contested with multiple lead changes. Lincoln Prep took control by going on an 8-0 run to end the half. Isaline Alexander for the Colts poured in 13 of her team-high 21 points in the second half to draw Bill Crothers within two points of the Huskies. Lincoln Prep put the game away late in the fourth quarter with help from Brynn Masikewich and eight of her game-high 23 points in their 74-72 win.

Next Up

OSBA Women’s action resumes on Saturday, March 9 with semifinals between Crestwood Prep (1) and King’s Christian Collegiate (4) at 10:00 a.m. and Capital Courts Academy (2) and Lincoln Prep (3) at noon at Ryerson's Mattamy Athletic Centre in Toronto.