In the world that is U12 girls basketball, scoring can sometimes be hard to find. Thankfully, the Sudbury (GSBA) U12 Storm Girls are well on their way to mastering defensive excellence.

With the latter keeping them in the game when the former is an issue, the Greater Sudbury Basketball Association reps are sitting at 4-0 in OBL (Ontario Basketball League) standings, post the re-ranking at the beginning of 2026.

Competing in Markham a week or two ago, the Storm completed their two-game season sweep of the YNBA (York North Basketball Association) Avengers, following up a convincing pre-Christmas victory (40-20) with an equally solid more recent showing, emerging triumphant 35-21.

With disciplined team defense and balanced scoring on their side, the Sudbury squad built a 23-9 lead at the half and withstood a second half charge that narrowed the lead to just six points before pulling away in the final four minutes of play thanks to clutch baskets from Avery Langemann and Camilla Bascom, among others.

The second Storm game in Markham was also a rematch, though this time against a JCC (Jewish Community Centre) Warriors team that had edged the northern girls in a buzzer beater earlier this year.

This time around, the tables would be turned, though things certainly did not start out that way as the Sudbury offense was ice cold through two quarters of play, trailing 11-4 at the break only due to the strength of their defensive effort.

Warming up somewhat but still behind by a score of 19-12 with just eight minutes remaining, the Storm rode a six poiunt surge from Fionna MacDonald to a critical 8-2 run, with the scoreboard now reading 21-20 in favour of the Warriors.

In the final minute of play, coach Jamie Lamontagne's troops executed under pressure as Lorelei Shonwise netted a go-ahead basket with 17 seconds remaining, giving Sudbury its first lead of the game.

Locked in defensively, the Storm prevented the Warriors from getting a shot off in the closing seconds, forcing JCC to foul. Sudbury converted on a couple of attempts at the free-throw line to secure a 24–21 victory.

With another two-game weekend on the slate for this Saturday, the Storm is looking to secure top spot in their division with matchups against the New Horizon Heat (Markham) and the Guelph Jr Gryphons.

The Sudbury U12 Storm girls' roster also features Ivy Blouin, Lennix Burgess, Kaiyah Contois, Mikaela Dubé, Penny Kingsley, Niamh McGill, Sienna Perreault, Ella Zwolak and practice players Penny Roberts and Kaylee Levasseur.

Joining Jamie Lamontagne on the team staff are assistant coach Jeremy Zwolak and team manager Meaghann Langemann.