The reasons for optimism within the local youth basketball community are many - including the fact that the GSBA (Greater Sudbury Basketball Association) Storm find themselves home to a pair of teams in the U13 age bracket.

With coaches Devin Kinsella and Jason Tripp at the helm, one of the Sudbury entries has undertaken the challenge that is OBL (Ontario Bsaketball League) play, posting victories over the Thornhill Thunder (54-33), Ancaster Magic (49-22) and KIngston Impact (51-44), suffering the only loss opposite the St Catharines CYO Rebels (62-53).

Offensively, this crew is on the right track - with several players equipped with the ability to put the ball in the basket.

"I always try and angle my body to the basket and look at the from hooks on the basket and aim for those," explained 12 year-old Josh Sellen, a grade 7 student at Lasalle Secondary.

"It's something I saw that (NBA star) Steph Curry had on You Tube."

Further aiding their cause is the presence of Sudbury Five players, the Basketball Super League representatives regulars at the mid-week workouts at Marymount Academy.

"They teach us how to score out of tough situations and how to take care of the ball," said Sellen.

While there is still plenty of work to be done, these GSBA kids understand the key to success that is involved with playing hard at both ends of the court. "Getting back on defense is always important," said Sellen.

"That's where my stamina helps - and on the fast breaks."

And for as much as good ball movement was one area that he felt his team was doing okay, ensuring that it is present in all aspects of the game is never easy. "We have to get the ball up the court faster," said Sellen.

"The ball moves faster than I can run."

Rounding out the 2023-2024 roster for this Storm team are Zayden Contois, Devin Wreegbo, Levi Tripp, Izyck Boudreau, Isaac Gouled, David Tehere, Walker Hagman, Kaleb Parent, Bryson Thrush, Hudson Dennison, Griffith Ecclestone and Noah Lamontagne.