Time to scale the next mountain.
That could be the mantra for the Sudbury Jam 15U Girls, coming off a highly successful 2015-2016 campaign that culminated with a bronze medal performance in the ultra-competitive Division I grouping at Basketball Ontario championships last April.
By virtue of their impressive resume, which also included a strong showing at the 2016 Ontario Summer Games for several members of the team, the 15U Jam were granted a berth at the 16U level of the newly formed Ontario Basketball Elite League this winter.
Thankfully, the Sudbury squad provided ample evidence that provincial basketball officials knew exactly what they were doing, looking not the least bit out of place as Elite League (X League) play began the first weekend of December at the Hoopdome in Toronto.
Facing a strong Nepean Blue Devils side in their opener, Sudbury trailed by three at the half and five with just one quarter to play.
But great team defense, good ball movement and excellent passing provided the fooundation of an exciting comeback, as the Jam kicked off their season with a 49-45 win over the Ottawa area team.
Enjoying some momentum, the Sudbury girls shocked London Gold Medal, bolting to a 21-5 lead at the half, and riding great defensive energy and pressure through the final two quarters to a comfortable 41-17 triumph.
The Sudbury Jam 15U girls team, which will continue training in anticipation of their next set of league games in January in Toronto, features a roster of Grace Smrke, Delaney Bourget, Dylann Mazzuchin, Claudia Pellerin, Heidi Lamothe, Abby Frick, Mireille DiMaio, Sami Dunlop-Bassett, Shannon Clarke and Emilie Lafond.
