The progression of the GSBA (Greater Sudbury Basketball Association) U12 Storm girls has been an impressive one this year - and it continues with every passing game.

Completing the second half of their OBL (Ontario Basketball League) schedule with a six-game stretch, post-Christmas, the Storm improved to 5-0 thanks to a 31-24 win over the New Horizon Heat (Markham).

With the game still close in the second half, Lorelei Shonwise delivered when it mattered the most, finishing the contest with 14 points for the winners. Ivy Blouin was close behind with 12, though it was her defensive effort, the ability to disrupt the opponent's offense and turn those stops into scoring chances that drew the most praise from head coach Jamie Lamontagne.

After pulling away from a team that they had edged by just a single basket earlier in the year, the Sudbury girls were playing with more and more confidence - and it showed as they clinched first place with a 30-26 victory over the Guelph Gryphons.

"This was a true total team effort, with contributions across the lineup on both ends of the floor," noted coach Lamontagne.

Following a series of exhibition games in preparation for provincials next month, the U12 Storm girls will attend the Scarborough Blues Tournament (March 20th-22nd), closing off the year in Ottawa from April 17th to 19th, competing at the Ontario Cup Provincial Championships.

Rounding out the 2025-2026 team roster are: Camilla Bascom, Lennix Burgess, Kaiyah Contois, Mikaela Dubé, Penny Kingsley, Avery Langemann, Fionna MacDonald, Niamh McGill, Sienna Perreault, Ella Zwolak, practice players Penny Roberts and Kaylee Levasseur, assistant coach Jeremy Zwolak and team manager Meghan Langemann.