Winning an OBL (Ontario Basketball League) divisional banner is nice.

Doing it with an energy-filled roster, one which constantly cheered the success and efforts of teammates on a squad blessed with the ability to consistently roll a fair play line system in tournament action was even better.

Head coach Devin Kinsella and assistant coach Jason Tripp were somewhat spoiled, truth be told, with their 2023-2024 version of the Sudbury Storm boys basketball team.

Not only did the local crew post an impressive record of 11-1, sweeping their revised division after being bumped up, mid-season, but they did so with contributions right across the roster.

Sure, the bulk of the scoring would come from the known entities as Josh Sellen, Zayden Contois and Levi Tripp, yet the undisputed chief highlight of the final was a step back three pointer from Isaac Gouled following an isolation 1 vs 1 dribble that "broke his opponent's ankles" - as the kids are prone to saying.

Throw in the impressive play of Izyck Boudreau, who consistently filled to open spots, coming through with big defensive plays and timely steals as well as taking command of the floor and you have the makings for team success.

Cap it all off with a group of young men who consistently left everything on the court, from David Tehere to Walker Hagman, from Noah Lamontagne to Devin Wreegbo, from Kaleb Parent to Bryson Thursh, and finally from Hudson Dennison to Griffith Ecclestone and now you have the makings of a winter to remember.

Even the final chapter could not have gone much better as the Storm closed things off with victories over the previously unbeaten YNBA Avengers (55-27) as well as the Grimsby Boys (61-38).

Full marks to assistant coach Tripp who stepped in admirably over the final two games to take the lead on the bench with Kinsella battling a nasty head cold, keeping the team dialed in and focused throughout the weekend.