It took just one OBL (Ontario Basketball League) game for the Sudbury U19 Storm girls to show signs of improvement as Pool E play began earlier this month in Unionville.

Given that a good number of the local crew have never before suited up as teammates, the end result was even better than expected as the Storm posted a 1-1 record against the Kinsgton Impact (38-32 loss) and the Durham Force (43-35 win).

Leading the way offensively for Sudbury were the quartet of Breanna Lemaire and Kayley Lemaire (16 points each), as well as Angel Allonce and Arianne Lamontagne (nine points each), with all drawing some praise from head coach Jamie Lamontagne.

"Angel had a really good finish to our first game," said Lamontagne. "She was all over the court in the fourth quarter. Breanna was our most consistent player and Kayley was our most consistent scorer."

"The girls played great defense down the stretch in game two and Naomi Burrows and Arianne Lamontagne made some big shots to seal it," added Lamontagne.

With the team playing together for the very first time, there was still plenty of learning to be done as girls representing a wide variety of local high-schools picked up on each other's strengths, assessing just the proper approach needed to ensure team success.

Rounding out the Sudbury U19 Storm girls 2023-2024 roster are Alexia Clement, Hannah Burton, Keena Richards, Ashley Boulard, Marissa Laforge, Brooke Waltenbury, Erika Young and assistant coach Dan Young.

The locals are returning to Bill Crothers Secondary School on (Saturday) January 13th when they do battle with both the London Royals and the Huntsville Hurricanes.