Just For The Fun Of It

In March I was honoured to speak to Jean Cote’s third year Kinesiology Class on Coaching and Leadership as part of a guest speaker series. Along with hopefully a better understanding of our league history, our philosophy, and the impact we can have on families in the Kingston community, it was a chance to interact with the students and professor Cote.

One of the things I touched on was our spare shoes that we have on hand in case someone forgets their’s on game nights. After the class I was approached by three members of the Queen’s Women’s Basketball Team asking if we could use some gently used basketball shoes from their team for our players. A short time later I was contacted by Assistant Coach Bridget Mulholland, a former player with us, letting me know she had shoes to drop off, and yesterday she and the team donated 11 pairs of shoes for us.

As an appreciation for speaking to the class, an honorarium was also given that was used to purchase 7 new basketballs for the Little Guys and Little Gals Divisions.
I want to thank Jean Cote for giving me the chance to tell our story to his class, to the three players for looking for an opportunity to make a difference, and to coach Mulholland for making it happen. All of you have made a difference in the lives of our players and their families, and you should be very proud of that.

Our spare shoe supply can also use some small sizes (3-5) if you are interested in donating. Roland

The Pete Petersen Basketball League family joins the Kingston Basketball Community in congratulating Sarah Besselink on her appointment as the new head coach of the University of Calgary Dinos. We wish her success as she continues her basketball career that started here in Kingston. We know the joy she has had in playing the sport she loves over the years she will transfer to the young women she will now be leading in Calgary.

We know that Sarah’s entire family must be very proud of the leader she has become. R

I am sad to be telling you about the passing of a member of the league family after a lengthy illness. George Billings was our Coach of the Year in 1988, and both of his children, Adam and Mandy played in the league before the family moved to Florida. He was very proud of his Kingston roots, and his affiliation with the league. He was an avid sportsman and a multi-sport athlete growing up here, first in Fort Henry Heights and then at LCVI, and someone that I admired growing up, but then, he was my brother.

The condolences of the Pete Petersen Basketball League family go out to George’s wife Linda, to his children Adam and Mandy, their families and his Kingston family and friends from his work here and his days at LCVI. George’s family has asked that in memoriam donations be made to the league. I thank them for their continued belief in what we do for the children in our community.
George’s obituary is below.

George “Pop” Billings
February 22, 1949 – March 12, 2025
George passed away peacefully on March 12 surrounded by the love of his family at the Advent Hospital Hospice Unit in Orlando Florida. He is survived by his dear, devoted and loving wife Linda, who never left his side throughout the last part of his life journey, his children Adam (Hayley), Mandy (Jeremy) , his beloved grandchildren Jake and Gray and his brother Roland (Susan). Also grieving his loss are his sister in law Sheila, nephews Barry (Kate), Michael (Julie), and nieces Alison (Jefferson), Kristine (Ted), Cathy (James), and Karen. George was predeceased by his parents Harry and Edna Billings, his brother Bob and sister Ellen Ryan.
An avid sportsman throughout his life, George excelled at baseball as a hard hitting outfielder at Kingston’s Cricket Field, on the football field as a two way player at LCVI, and a Touch Football Champion in 1976 with Pools by Carsten. George played basketball, and rugby as well as field events at LCVI, and took up golf as a long off the tee player in Kingston and Florida. His love of sports carried over to the sidelines where he coached his son Adam in his minor basketball career in Kingston.
George was a proud member of IATSE since 1971. In Kingston, he worked as a Projectionist at the Odeon and Capital Theatres. He enjoyed stagehand events at the Grand Theatre and Memorial Centre. After moving to Orlando in 1991 he became a member of IATSE Local 631 working numerous events before taking a position at Vanco/PRG, a theatrical lighting company, where he worked from 1992 until his retirement in 2018.
George loved being Pop to his grandchildren Jake and Gray, whom he taught to play chess and question authority. He was generous and kind and will be missed by all who knew him.
The family would like donations in George’s memory be made to the Pete Petersen Basketball League. George loved his years coaching in the league, and his children have fond memories of their involvement. Donations can be made by e-transfer to roland.billings @sympatico.ca or by cheque to Pete Petersen Basketball League, 31 Ellerbeck Street, Kingston, K7L 4H5

This week we received a significant donation from Doreen and Jeff Hoekstra in support of what we do. Both Jeff and Doreen were long time volunteers and members of our executive, and both of their sons played with us as well. We want to thank you, Jeff and Doreen, for continuing to believe in what we do , and for wanting to make a difference in the lives of our players and their families. THANK YOU!

We continue to be blessed with outstanding support from the community. In the last two weeks we have received significant donations from Frances Hollywood and her family, from the Ladies Auxiliary of Branch 631 of the Royal Canadian Legion, and from a former coach and his partner that want the donation to remain anonymous.
Our thanks to all of you for your generosity and kindness. Please know that you, and the organization you represent have made a difference in the lives of our players and their families. You should be very proud of that. THANK YOU!!

Registration for the 2025 Summer basketball camp at St. Lawrence College in Kingston, Ontario will open in April. The camp is called the Surge Summer Basketball Camp.

What to expect

Campers will learn skills, conditioning, and techniques from varsity athletes and coaches

Campers will participate in drills and scrimmages

There will be two weeks of camp, with one week for grades 3–7 (July 14-18) and one week for grades 8–12 (July 21-25)

How to register

Registration for the 2025 Summer basketball camp will open in April

You can register for the camp by visiting parttime.stlawrencecollege.ca

Cost for the camp is $250

Make sure to check out the league Facebook page to see action photos taken during the 2024-25 season from each division. These posts will continue for the next week.

Congratulations to Amanda VanHeddegem, winner of the 2025 50 / 50 draw. The draw was a sell out so Amanda took home $1250! Our thanks to everyone that bought tickets to support us in both this and the Sneaker Draw this season.

Proceeds from our two lotteries can be used to buy equipment for the league and in the past has been used to purchase uniforms, basketballs, and the padding you see around the gym at Ecole Cathedrale.

Special Lifetime Achievement Award – Terry Fraser

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 Korra Feola and Jessie Smith

Little Gals Walter and Monique DaCosta

Girls Pat Farrell

Biddy Colin Purcell and Grace Allen

Graduate Amanda Kyle and Jolene O’Brien

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 – Sean Donnelly and Victor Castro

Little Gals Slammers – Madison and Taylor Young

Girls Sparks – Neil Lalor and Brittanie Sullivan

Biddy Raptors – Evan Allen, Taylor Evans and Aden Card

Graduate Warriors – Carson Payne, Ben Mignault and Adam Mignault

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 winner) – Mira Vanyolai – Starzz

(male winner) – Noah Heisterkamp – Warriors

The Tony Pettitt Award: Given to recognize the contributions of a non-coaching, adult volunteer.

Heather Sampson

Winners of places in the Regiopolis Notre Dame Summer Camp

Little Guys Evander Girard – Tarheels

Little Gals Monroe McCall – Golden Gals

Girls Jouslynn Perrin – Sky

Biddy Tahjae Daley – Spurs

Graduate Isaac De Los Santos Castillo – Celtics

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 Andy Tang – Wolfpack

Little Gals Sloane D’Alosio – Slammers

Girls Aya Abdoulhafize – Sting

Biddy Ashton Vivian – Jazz and

Tahjae Daley – Spurs

Graduate Bacher Abdoulhafize – Sixers

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 Huskies – Rob O’Grady and Grady Irwin

Little Gals Tigers – Gloria Dematos, Christina Bracciodieta and Addy Best-Taylor

Girls Dream – Tina Castro, Michael Mundacruz and Carson Payne

Biddy Raptors – Evan Allen, Taylor Evans and Aden Card

Graduate Heat – Zoe Yanovsky, Amanda and Ryan Kyle

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: Mason Hart and Ben Kirkpatrick; Runners – up: Colt Dennison and Lennox Denison

Little Gals Winners: Zoey Hepburn and Everly Bell; Runners – up: Ella Gallagher and Ellie Gibson

Girls Winners: Lottie O’Donnell and Hailey Henderson; Runners – up: Victoria Castro and Charlotte Soucy

Biddy Winners: Emerson Cox and Sebastian Romero-Mathews; Runners – up: Bentley Babcock and Nathaniel Tilley

Graduate Winners: Colton Irwin and Wesley Black; Runners – up: Webster and Ayden Freeman

Trinity Van Heddegem Memorial Award for the Little Gals Rookie of the Year.

California Leonardo – Slammers

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

Grady Irwin and Alessa Bracciodieta

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

Girls Kadence Ryan – Mercury

Graduate Raymond Fiegen – Bulls

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

Boys

8 years Thomas Morgenstern – Wildcats

9 years Ben Kirkpatrick-Wolfpack

10 years Morrie Mignault – Mustangs

11 years John Allen – Jazz

12 years Vincent Yonick-Mundacruz – Spurs

13 years Matthew Leveridge – Celtics

14 years Simon Drumm – Celtics

15 Years Howie Moulton – Celtics

Girls

8 years Vivienne Doornekamp- Rebels

9 years Gwendolynn Amos – Monarchs

10 years Clara McKeown – Monarchs

11 years Emma Griffin – Mercury

12 years Adriana Bracciodieta – Storm

13 years Jouslynn Perrin – Sky

14 years Brooklyn Freeman – Sparks

Most Improved Players in each Division:

Little Guys Miles Olner – Huskies and Matteo Turner – Wildcats

Little Gals Neziya Poser – Rockers

Girls Annalise Wordley – Storm

Biddy Logan Hollywood – Orange and Charlie LaBarge – Raptors

Graduate Evan Kho – Hawks

The Most Valuable Players in each division:

Little Guys Morrie Mignault – Mustangs

Little Gals Ellie Bolton – Lions

Girls Gabriella Mundacruz – Dream and Jaden Hope – Liberty

Biddy Jaden Huganas – Nuggets and Liam Kirkpatrick – Magic

Graduate Theory Sothman – Heat

The Most Sportsmanlike Players in each division

Little Guys Owen Morris Pocock – Hoosiers and

Spencer MacGregor – Jayhawks

Little Gals Avelynn MacDonald – Rebels

Girls Grace Allen – Sky

Biddy Moses Milkon – Suns and Judah Splinter – Grizzlies

Graduate Colton Irwin – Bulls

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

Little Guys Kingslee Brushey – Hoosiers

Little Gals Mavis Cantarutti – Aztecs

Girls Evy Dixon – Storm

Biddy John Allen – Jazz and Avery Boehme – Orange

Graduate Oscar Martinez Munier – Hawks

The Top Defensive Players in each division

Little Guys Wyatt Petras – Hoyas and Jace Menard – Tarheels

Little Gals Ella Gallagher – Monarchs and Zayla McKim – Moore – Tigers

Girls Brooklyn freeman – Sparks

Biddy Lucas Valente – Suns and Jaden Huganas – Nuggets

Graduate J.J. Stolz – Celtics and Darius Atterbury – Warriors

This year Frontenac Secondary School is hosting the Boys AAA OFSAA Basketball Championships at Frontenac and St Lawrence College March 3-5.

The organizers of the tournament are offering free admission to players from our league and other basketball programs free admission to the games at the tournament.

Players must be wearing some article of league clothing that identifies them as being part of our program AND be accompanied by a paying adult.

The schedule and the tournament draw will be available STARTING SUNDAY MARCH 2nd at

https://www.ofsaa.on.ca/championship/basketball-boys-aaa/