It’s playoff time, and both Listowel boys’ high school basketball teams are poised to make some noise.
The action tips off today, (Wednesday, Feb. 17) at 12:45 p.m. at the Listowel gym.
Both squads had a successful regular season and earned home court advantage in the opening round.
The senior Lightning (7-3) finished fourth overall and will host the fifth-place Mitchell Blue Devils (6-4) in a Huron-Perth quarter-final game. Mitchell took their regular-season meeting by a mere two points.
On the junior side, Listowel (8-2) ranks third, and will face the sixth South Huron Panthers (4-6).
The Lightning smoked South Huron 52-24 on Feb. 3.
On the heels of a 66-39 victory in their regular-season finale last Wednesday, Feb. 10 over the Central Huron Redmen, senior player Jordan Schultz said they’re confident heading into the playoffs.
“We feel good,” said Schultz, who finished with six points. “The first quarter was kind of slow, after that coach talked to us then we all gathered our thoughts and played as a team.”
Joey Hollinger scored a team-high 29 points, followed by Jason Struyk with eight, Tyler Bonsma seven, Ben Norman four, Jeff Miller three, Darcey Greydanus three and Jake Dekoning two.
The juniors kept the good times rolling, slamming the Redmen 54-29.
Matt Askett had 17, Justin Bauman 10, Justin Ferreira six, Brandon Galbraith four, Ryan Davidson three, Quinton Almond two, Hunter Kerr two and Zach Raycraft two.
If the seniors beat Mitchell they head to Stratford to challenge the top-ranked St. Mike’s Warriors (9-1) in a championship semifinal game. Should they lose to Mitchell they will host the Redmen in a consolation semifinal.
In the juniors’ case, if they beat the Panthers it’s on to face the Warriors (9-1); a loss means a home game against the Goderich Vikings (3-7).
All semifinal contests will be played this Friday, Feb. 19, with the winners advancing to the championship and consolation finals on Monday, Feb. 22.