OBL Weekend One Recap: Ontario Basketball League Returns for its Second Season
On Saturday, November 5, a total of 50 U10 Novice to U12 Major Atom girls’ teams kicked off the second season of the Ontario Basketball League (OBL) with games at HoopDome in North York and Durham College in Oshawa.
The one-day event was nothing short of a success. All players were determined to showcase their abilities and to own the court while having fun and exhibiting solid teamwork.
“I started dribbling a ball when I was really small and always practiced. I got better over time and loved it ever since. I think what really made me want to keep playing was that I had the best teammates,” said Naki Alonzo from the MUMBA – Chin U12 Major Atom team. “They pass me the ball and don’t push me to the side. I’m happy I can be on a fun team. They make playing basketball easier and better for me.”
The first day of the 2016-17 OBL season featured one U10 Novice pool with 8 teams, two U11 Atom pools with 16 teams in total, and four U12 Major Atom pools for a total of 26 teams.
OBL‘s U10 Novice to U12 Major Atom girls’ teams are listed below, and game results are available by clicking on the age category and pool.
U10 Girls (.pdf)
Barrie Royals – Rutledge
Caledon Cougars
Etobicoke Basketball
Kitchener-Waterloo – Francis
Kitchener-Waterloo – McPherson
North Toronto – Morris
Peterborough Youth Basketball
York South Silver Knights – Petersen
U11 Girls: Pool A (.pdf)
Barrie Royals
Guelph Youth Basketball
Mississauga Minor – Veljovic
North Toronto
Oakville Vytis – Samsa
St Catharines CYO
York North – Zicaro
York South Silver Knights – Kokonis
U11 Girls: Pool B (.pdf)
Cambridge Basketball
Etobicoke Basketball
Flamborough Fire
Kitchener-Waterloo – Becker
North Region Crazy Catz
Orangeville Hawks
Orillia Youth Basketball
Peterborough Youth
U12 Girls: Pool A (.pdf)
DCBA Chameleons
East York Basketball
Kitchener-Waterloo Elite
Transway
Stoney Creek NYB
Welland Warriors
York North – Faria
U12 Girls: Pool B (.pdf)
Barrie Royals
Blessed Sacrament – Abella
Brantford CYO Girls
Mississauga Minor – Bennett
North Toronto – Quinn/Persaud
St. Catharines CYO
Valhalla Youth
U12 Girls: Pool C (.pdf)
Etobicoke Basketball
Kitchener-Waterloo – Hume
North Toronto #2 – Ryan + Matt
Orangeville Hawks
Orillia Youth Basketball
South Simcoe Basketball Club
Toronto Basketball Club – GTA West
U12 Girls: Pool D (.pdf)
Burlington Force – Bouchard
Collingwood Trailblazers
MUMBA – Chin
Peterborough Youth
Toronto Triple Threat
Strong leadership is necessary to promote safe and stage-appropriate player development. It is important for coaches from all teams to continuously stress the importance of having fun, working hard and being great teammates.
“Sometimes you don’t always see yourself as a role model. Growing up, playing basketball I was exposed to great coaches, but also very bad ones. As a coach, it’s my responsibility to give back to my team and help them see themselves as great players. I want to develop positive players,” said Rachelle Abella, coach of Blessed Sacrament’s U12 Major Atom girls’ team.
It looks like OBL teams are ready to go full force and #ownthecourt this season.
What’s Next: The U10 Novice and U11 Atom boys’ teams will compete this upcoming Saturday, Nov. 12 to Sunday, Nov. 13 at HoopDome.
About Ontario Basketball League
The purpose of the Ontario Basketball League is to create an inclusive, age- and ability-appropriate, province-wide league structure that provides meaningful competition for athletes of both genders in all age categories (U10 to U19) to promote safe and stage-appropriate athlete development according to Long-Term Athlete Development principles.