Just For The Fun Of It

We want to join with the rest of the Kingston basketball community in congratulating Kingston’s Aaliyah Edwards on her joining the WNBA with the Washington Mystics with the 6th pick overall in the draft last night. My first view of Aaliyah on a basketball court was at St. Lawrence College a few years ago, not playing a game, but just joining a gaggle of other young players on the court at halftime of an SLC game. I watched as others fired up shots from all over the place while she took a ball, dribbled a bit and then for a few minutes worked on her game around the basket. I was struck by the work ethic she displayed to take advantage of even a brief opportunity to work on her game. All of us involved in our program wish her well as she starts on this new chapter of her basketball life. I personally hope that playing the game she so obviously loves brings her joy in the years ahead.
For the Kingston basketball community, we need to be ready for the next group of players that are inspired by Aaliyah and the other great players that they have seen in the NCAA and CIS games this spring when they show up on our gyms. We have an obligation to give them a chance to experience how much fun being on a court with teammates can be, to encourage them to be their best, and to support them regardless of the game’s outcome. It is a game we love and hopefully one that we can help others grow to love too RB.

Yesterday we received the cheque for the money raised at St. Larry’s Pub through our fund raising event there in conjunction with the college hosting us for a basketball double header. With a top up from the Student Association, $500 has been donated to the league. Our thanks to Chris Moreland for organizing this event again this season, to the serving staff on duty that day, to the Student Association, Kevin Biggs and his staff as well as Glenn Vollebregt and the college administration. Thank you for believing in what we do! We look forward to continuing our partnership again next season.

If you have memories or reflections on your experience playing in the St. John’s Parish Basketball League, the Knights of Columbus Basketball League or the Pete Petersen Basketball League, or your experiences as a volunteer, please share them with us through messenger or to my email [email protected]. We would love to hear from you so we can use them for the anniversary celebration day and through the season. Thanks! Roland Billings

To celebrate the start of our 70th year of operation, we are planning a special event to thank our past, present and future players, volunteers, families and friends. Here are some details so far for the event.

Date: Saturday, June 15, 2024

Location: St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School, Kingston

Time: 11 am until 3 pm.

Official Opening Ceremonies will take place at noon with greetings from local dignitaries.

In keeping with our history of commitment to our community, we are partnering with LIONHEARTS INC Kingston for this event and ask those attending to please bring non-perishable food items to donate to this group or to make a cash donation to them. Visit their web site to see the scope of what they do to make a difference in the community. They will have staff on hand to both collect donations and answer questions you may have about their operation.

Kelly’s Food Truck has agreed to be on site for the day offering their menu of food for purchase. They are very familiar with our league as parents of a former player, and if you want to sample their menu in advance you can usually find them at the Canadian Tire on Bath Road, near the old traffic circle for our followers that are long time Kingston residents.

Mary O’Neill-Howlett and McDonald’s Family Restaurant on Division Street have once again shown their commitment to our program by supplying coffee for the event. Mary, along with Joanie Besselink-Sagriff were the driving forces behind the establishment of the Girls Division.

MIO Gelato has once again shown their commitment to us and a belief in what we do by agreeing to donate a quantity of pre-scooped individual gelato servings for this event. If you have not had their gelato before make sure to visit their store on Ontario Street for a taste experience!

Flavoured Snow Cones will be available on site served up from a special machine donated to us for the event.

The league history will be proudly on display in the gym with memorabilia, photos, trophies and other items from our 70 years of operation in a “Walk of Fame”.

We will be entertained at the event by the local band Whiskey Smoke, a duo described by Kingston Live as “a Kingston based duo featuring local country singers Mike Grice and Amanda Sorensen. Singing traditional country music from the ’90s to today’s best hits. Amanda and Mike bring an energetic and authentic Country performance you won’t want to miss.”

Kingston Fire and Rescue will be on hand with a static display and will be available to answer your questions about the role of the Fire Service in the community.

Corey and Hayden Hollywood have agreed to donate their time and will be on hand to make balloon animals for the attendees. This talented team should be well known to our league families as coaches of the Tarheels in the Little Guys Division.

We will be adding more to our lineup over the next two months but as you can see, we want this to be a family friendly event for all attendees and a true celebration of community partnerships. Because seating is very limited, we also encourage you to bring a lawn chair to spend some time with us and enjoy the chance to visit with your former teammates.

We are looking forward to seeing you in June!!

This year marks our 70th year of operation, and we are planning a day of celebration of that milestone for the league that Don Petersen started for all of us to enjoy! Mark your calendars – Saturday June 15, 2024 from 11am until 3pm at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School we welcome former players, current players, our volunteers past and present to come and help us celebrate! We will give you more details in the days ahead but we promise it will be a day of fun, entertainment and a chance to revisit your roles as players , coaches, and volunteers in making this a special organization to be a part of for 70 years!

The Don “Pete” Petersen Trophy: This award is presented annually to the individual from each division rendering the greatest and most faithful service to the general good of the league.

Little Guys Luis Dematos

Little Gals Rose Dean

Girls Julie Whitbread

Biddy Colin Purcell and Emmitt Irwin

Graduate Grace Woodman

The Referee’s Trophy: This award is given annually to the coaches of the year in each division who best exemplify what coaching in the league is all about.

Little Guys Jayhawks – Matt Glass and Thomas Vink

Little Gals Monarchs – Brock Easter Sheen and Chris McCarthy- Brideau

Girls Storm – Kate Kelsey and Shanna Todd

Biddy Nuggets – Brock Poirier and Ahmer Shazad

Graduate Bulls – Nikki Irwin and Will Hansen

The Guy Wells Trophy: This trophy is given to the male and female players who best exemplify what the league stands for – sportsmanship, fair play, team play and leadership.

(female winners) – Lyra Branscombe and Eden Branscombe – Storm

(male winners) – Miles Cantarutti – Celtics and Will Kerr – Hawks

The Tony Pettitt Award: This award, started in 2007 was put in place in memory of long time league supporter Tony Pettitt and is given to recognize the contributions of a non-coaching, adult volunteer.

Colin Purcell

Holy Cross Secondary School Summer Camps

Little Guys Spencer MacGregor – Jayhawks

Little Gals Monarch Malinowski – Slammers

The Bill MacLeod Memorial Cup: This award is given annually to the player in each division who best reflects the spirit of the league format “Just for the Fun of it”

Little Guys Liam Dematos – Wildcats

Little Gals Olivia Semchison – Rockers

Girls Grace Eves – Sparks

Biddy Eli Sothmann – Spurs

Graduate Zach Griffin – Heat

The Lenny Falcoa Award : This award is given for the TEAM OF THE YEAR in each division that best exemplifies the hustle, team work, and all around attitude that makes the league so much fun.

Little Guys Tarheels – Cory and Haden Hollywood

Little Gals Aztecs – Shakaya Dopwell and Maddy MacKenzie

Girls Starzz – mary Jane Besselink and Mary O’Neill – Howlett

Biddy Orange – Paul Medeiros and Jack Molson

Graduate Sixers – Jolene O’Brien and Fraser McArthur

Two Ball Champions and Runners-up : These are the winning teams and the runners up from a two ball tournament held for all league players in November.

Little Guys Winners- Morrie Mignault and Sebastian Romero-Matthews

Runners – up – John Allen and Maveris DeSilva-Cobb

Little Gals Winners – Claire Sweet and Lottie O’Donnell Runners – up – Annika Fogels and Charlotte Soucy

Girls Winners – Zoey Black and Summer Vallier

Runners – up- Ruby Castle and Anastasza Windover

Biddy Winners – Grey Malinowski and Eli Sothmann

Runners – up – Carter MacKenzie and Bentley Babcock

Graduate Winners – Colton Irwin and Wesley Black

Runners – up – Oscar Martinez-Munier and Ryan Kyle

Trinity Van Heddegem Memorial Award for the Little Gals Rookie of the Year. This award was established in memory of Trinity VanHeddegem, a player on the Golden Gals that tragically died during the 2012-2013 season.

Serenity Smith – Tigers

Avery Doering – Lions

The Gerry Besselink Award : This award is given for effort, respect and dedication to the league.

Emmitt Irwin

St. Lawrence Basketball Camp Awards for one week at the camp this summer

Girls Myla Harvey-Shields – Sky

Biddy Liam Kirkpatrick – Spurs

Graduate Warren Berry – Celtics

The Bucky Spencer Memorial Free Throw Champions: This award goes to the best free throw shooters in the league in each age group.

Age group Winners

Boys 8 years Leyton Locke – Hoyas

9 years Grayden McMillan – Hoyas

10 years Christopher MacKenzie -Mills – Hoyas

11 years Preston Bolton – Raptors

Kolton Buscaino – Spurs

12 years Dylan Morris – Raptors

13 years Graham Hinch – Celtics

14 years Saha Wheeler-Dee – Bulls

15 Years Darren Fernandes – Sixers

Girls 8 years Harper Langridge – Aztecs

9 years Annika Fogels – Lions

10 years Ava Abbott – Slammers

11 years Adriana Bracciodieta – Storm

12 years Sadie O’Donnell – Liberty

13 years Jaden Hope – Dream

14 years Karen Hernandez – Castillo – Sky

Most Improved Players in each Division:

Little Guys Hudson Murray – Hoosiers

Little Gals

Ambrielle Cabral – Aztecs

Girls Mira Vanyolai – Liberty and

Jaden Hope – Dream

Biddy Oliver Moreland – Suns and Beau Riley – Orange

Graduate

Warren Cosgrove – Heat

The Most Valuable Players in each division:

Little Guys Sebastian Romero-Mathews – Mustangs and

John Allen – Wolfpack

Little Gals Aliyah Brean – Golden Gals

and

Hailey Henderson – Monarchs

Girls Savanah Deszpoth – Mercury

Biddy Dylan Johnston – Nuggets

Graduate Sasha Wheeler- Dee- Bulls

The Most Sportsmanlike Players in each division

Little Guys Callum Michael Petras – Hoyas

Little Gals Stella Boussougou – Rebels

Girls Karen Hernandez-Castillo – Sky

Biddy Koen Walmsley – Raptors

Graduate Dylan Sutton – Warriors

The Carm Londry Trophy for the player in each division that shares the ball with team mates.

Little Guys Kale Svenson – Jayhawks

and

Connor Warren – Tarheels

Little Gals Reese MacLean – Lions

Girls Janelle Shoniker – Starzz

Biddy Connor Broeders – Magic

and

Hudson Murray – Jazz

Graduate Jericho Bridgen – Hawks

The Top Defensive Players in each division

Little Guys Felix Arnold – Huskies

and

Nathaniel Tilley – Tarheels

Little Gals Teleah White – Tigers

Girls Summer Vallier – Sting

Biddy Joe McNutt Brown – Grizzlies

Graduate J.J. Stolz – Celtics

Last Games of the Season Games Played February 29

Aztecs 16 (Quinn Canning 10, Haven Gionet 4, Ambrielle Cabral 2); Slammers 16 (Raelynn Brown 6, Monarch Malinowski 4, Faith Blackstock 2, Evelyn Brathwaite 2, Lindsay Goldie 2)

Lions 24 (Annika Fogels 14, Lottie O’Donnell 2, Emily Sitoski 2, Claire Sweet 2, Charlotte Soucy 2); Rebels 19 (Stella Boussougou 9, Laine D’Aloisio 4, Willa Murphy 2, Chloe Mundell 2, Sophia Hepburn 2)

Monarchs 32 (Hailey Henderson 16, Olivia Greavett 8, Miller Stevenson 6, Callie Virtue 2); Rockers 21 (Emma Griffin 8, Nora Goudreau 2, Mairyn Brophy 2, Olivia Emery 2, Olivia Semchison 2, Ariana Mitchell 2, Annika Ganyu 2, Clara McKeown 1)

Golden Gals 26 (Sloan Morrison 10, Aliyah Brean 6, Ruby Splinter 4, Kennedy Samways 2, Neziya Poser 2, Avelyn MacDonald 2); Tigers 20 (Gabriella Mundacruiz 14, Abigail Hatt 4, Scarlett Hurd 2)

Results of Games Played Wednesday February 28, 2024

Mercury 24 (Summer Campbell 10, Savannah Deszpoth 8, Melina Demers 4, Sophia Gilchrist 2) Storm 20 (Violet Joyce 8, Eden Branscombe 6, Jacinda Spiridakis 4, Alyssa Scott 2)

Sky 24 (Myla Harvey-Shields 8, Evie Dixon 4, Taleah Blacklaws 2, Karen Hernandez Castillo 2, Abigail White 2, Aya Abdoulhafize 2, Maeve Huddle 2, Reece Menzies 2); Sparks 18 (Jouslynn Perrin 6, Jazmine Saylor-Turner 4, Maddalena Castro 2, Mackenzie Bailey 2, Grace Eves 2, Victoria Castro 2)

Starrz 22 (Janelle Shoniker 9, Kadence Ryan 5, Ella Marshall 4, Isobel Reason 2, Stella Knott 2); Dream 9 (Vivienne Loboda 4, Annie Niemann 3, Gracie Winkelman 2)

Liberty 36 (Mira Vanyolai 10, , Sadie O’Donnell 6, Zoey Black 6, Annalise O’Connor-Wordley 4, Kendra Young 2, Kortnee Young 2 , Skylar Kirkland 2, , Allisen Dennie 2, Lillien Dennie 2); Sting 20 (Abigail Cook 10, Lily Ohara 4, Summer Vallier 4, Taylor Hunt 2)

With just a few days left before our Awards Banquet and Hot Dog Feast on March 3rd, we conclude our Trophy Origins series with a look at the Carm Londry Trophy.

Awarded to the player in each Division that “Best shares the ball with teammates” .

First presented in 2009, the award was the brainchild of local businessman and long time Biddy Division coach Carm Londry, and was inspired by Greg Faulkner, a player on his team who later played Canadian University basketball and professionally in Europe. He wanted to have us recognize the contributions of the unselfish playmakers in the league with this award.

Carm was a kind and caring man, who passed away in 2011, leaving behind this reminder of the kind of player and coach he was in his life.

Results of the Last Game of the Season Played February 27, 2024

Tarheels 28 (Nathaniel Tilley 20, Connor Warren 6, Jace Menard 2); Hoosiers 14 (Hudson Mercer 6, Owen Morris-Pocock 2, Colt Denison 2, Miles Olner 2, Lennox Denison 2)

Hoyas 36 (Grayden McMillan 11, Corson Hull 8, Sylas Vickery 4, Otto Bailey 3, Max Zeltser 2, Leyton Locke 2, Callum Petras 2, Wyatt Petras 2, Chris Mills 2); Mustangs 32 (Sebastian Romeo-Matthews 20, Morrie Mignault 6, William Huddle 4, James Gowsell 2)

Huskies 24 (Ben Arnold 8, Felix Arnold 6, Benson BreckenRidge 4, Cameron Shibley 2, Davi Castro 2, Daniel Smith 2); Wolfpack 14 (John Allen 8, Emmett Grant 4, Maveric DaSilva-Cobb 2)

Jayhawks 27 (Wynton Fishers 15, Blake Thomas 10, Gabe Svensson 2); Wildcats 25 (Parker Heyman 14, Avery O’Connor 5, Cassius Heighing 4, Sawyer Rix 2)