Going for gold in hoops, V-ball

Niagara is in the running for four medals at Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) championships getting underway today across the province.

One girls basketball team and three boys volleyball teams from the region all take the court this morning and will play at least two games on Day 1 of their respective tournaments.

At North Bay, the Port Colborne Blue Bears tip off the 20team single A girls hoops championships as the 10th seed. They open pool play at 9 a.m. against host Algonquin, the ninth seed.

Port High advanced to provincials by going 2-0 at the Southern Ontario Secondary Schools Association qualifier last week. After defeating Hamilton District Christian 51-34 in the semifinals, the Blue Bears topped Smithville Christian 43-39 to punch their ticket to North Bay.

Niagara has two entries in the 20-team field at the double A boys volleyball finals in Sydenham, Ont., north of Kingston: Eden Flyers, top seed; E.L. Crossley Cyclone, 15th seed.

Eden has three games in pool play today, while Crossley is scheduled to take the court twice.

No. 20 seed Kirkland Lake faces the Flyers at 9 a.m., with Eden’s noon and 3 p.m. matches against 16th-seeded Henry Street and sixth-seeded L’Escale, respectively.

Crossley takes on fifth-seeded Preston at 9 a.m. and No. 2 seed Franco Cite at noon.

Eden is seeking its 10th gold medal and first since 2015. The Flyers won eight Ontario high school championships in a row, 2006-2013.

Also taking the court three times on Day 1 of provincials are the No. 5 seed Sir Winston Churchill Bulldogs in triple A boys V-ball in Windsor. They play 15th-seeded Weldon at 9 a.m., 12th-seeded Etobicoke at noon and second-seeded Mississauga at 3 p.m.