There are still many more rungs of the ladder above their current rankings but the GSBA (Greater Sudbury Basketball Association) U13 Storm team that had nowhere to go but up has begun their ascension within the OBL (Ontario Basketball League) circuit.

The northern lads were promoted by three brackets (typically six to seven teams in each grouping) by virtue of another solid weekend of play to start the month of February.

Led by the one-two punch of Zayden Contois (17 pts) and Josh Sellen (15 pts), the Storm bounced the Ancaster Magic 76-41 before completing their Saturday sweep in Thornhill with a 68-37 triumph over CSA (Competitive Sports Academy) Newmarket.

Offensively speaking, Zayden Contois (16), Levi Tripp (13) and Josh Sellen (11) were front and centre, but it was teammate David Tehere who particularly caught the attention of head coach Devin Kinsella.

"He single-handedly out-rebounded every player from either team and his defensive effort was pivotal in shutting down CSA Newmarket's top talent," noted Kinsella, who was also pleased with being able to run his lineup with a "Fair Play" system (not an OBL requirement at this age).

Of special note was the fact that Walker Hagman and Noah Lamontagne both hit the scoresheet in OBL play for the very first time, contributing solid minutes to aid the Sudbury cause.

"I am so proud of my bench which was dialed in and ready to play when I called on them," said Kinsella. "Morever, they cheered on and celebrated their teammates' successes."

The Storm are back in action in their new division of play on (Saturday) February 24th in Oakville (Holy Trinity CSS), facing the Cambridge Centaurs and North Bay Spartans before returning home.

Rounding out the Sudbury U13 Storm roster are Devin Wreegbo, Izyck Boudreau, Isaac Gouled, Kaleb Parent, Bryson Thrush, Hudson Dennison and Griffith Ecclestone.