While the experience of playing up against older opponents is a key attraction to members of the Sudbury Jam U19 Girls, winning games is even more fun.
The local squad checked both items of their list, capturing gold at the recent Ancaster Magic Basketball Tournament.
The tournament ice-breaker proved to be the highest scoring encounter of the weekend as Sudbury doused the Flamborough Fire 68-51. Draining no less than five three-point baskets, Josée Filion paced the Jam with 15 points, with Ariane Saumure right on her heels with 13.
Showing no signs of slowing down, the Jam pounded the York North Basketball Association - Villanova crew 58-20, with Arielle Douillette leading the charge with 15 points. Spreading the offense effectively, the locals also received nine point contributions from both Harmony Martel and Melanie Cloutier.
From there, things tightened up noticeably. A key last second block from Mia Filion, who also chipped in with nine points, helped lift the Sudbury reps to a 53-50 triumph over the Mississauga Knights.
Saumure was front and center within the Jam attack, recording 16 points in the contest, with Martel netting ten. Not a whole lot more breathing room in the final as Sudbury edged the Blessed Sacrament Yellow Jackets 40-36 in the championship affair.
Saumure (9) and Josée Filion (7) topped the scoring parade for the Jam in a matchup that featured outstanding defensive play from both teams.
"We have been working very hard on the defensive end of the court and were happy to see the girls make the adjustments needed due to the variability of the opponents," said coach Rick Filion.
"We have a very young team to be playing at this level, and each player brought a level of intensity needed to compete against older more experienced teams."
In addition to the players noted above, the Sudbury lineup also features the veteran presence of Kate Dahmer (able to attack the rim and score at key moments), first year Jam addition Brianna Gagnon (picked up some key defensive rebounds and nice put-back baskets, offensively) and 14 year old Aneisha Rismond (youngest player, but also the tallest, at 6'0" - quickly developing her post skills).
The coaching staff is rounded out with John Desormeaux and Larry Dahmer.
