Thunderball Basketball hosted Grade 3 to 7 basketball players at Vanier Secondary this past week for the ninth annual Steve Nash Skills Competition.
"The NBA does it. Colleges do it. High schools have their contests. This is the Thunderball version," said league spokesperson Larry Street.
Close to 70 young athletes competed in their age and gender divisions, and loads of fun was had by all. Every 'baller' got to test themselves in various skill events and establish a base for their own development.
Here are the winners of each event in every category:
1. Speed Dribble (all out sprint while dribbling)
Boys Grade 3 - Hang-Jun Kim, Grade 4/5 - Haden Parker, Grade 6/7 - Owen Mann. Girls Grade 4/5 - Darcy Pigeon, Grade 6/7 - Ashlin Speed.
2. Weave Dribble (up and back around cones and chair)
Boys Grade 3 - Mylo Huber, Grade 4/5 - Matt Simard, Grade 6/7 - Liam McNamee. Girls Grade 4/5 - Josie Williamson, Grade 6/7 - Ashlin Speed.
3. Regular Free Throws
Boys Grade 3 - Josh Tobacca, Grade 4/5 - Matthew Simard, Grade 6/7 - Bryce Benton. Girls Grade 4/5 - Alexis Souter, Grade 6/7 - Brielle Speed.
4. Speed Lay Ups (timed 30 seconds)
Boys Grade 3 - Tie: Mylo Huber and Josh Tobacca, Grade 4/5 - Walker Maximick, Grade 6/7 - Tie: Carson Damrey and Logan Graves. Girls Grade 4/5 - Ella Huggins, Grade 6/7 - Brielle Speed.
5. Wall Pass (accuracy and total number)
Boys Grade 3 - Josh Tobacca, Grade 4/5 - Walker Maximick, Grade 6/7 - Sam Barnie. Girls Grade 4/5 - Adelaide McCloud, Grade 6/7 - Brielle Speed.
6. Hot Spots Shooting Competition (timed, 5 spots)
Boys Grade 4/5 - Tie: Hayden Parker and David Bain, Grade 6/7 - Wes Foster. Girls Grade 4/5 - Ella Huggins, Grade 6/7 - Ashlin Speed.
7. Knock Away Dribble Champions
Boys Grade 3/4/5 - Mika Johnson, Grade 6/7 - Se-Jung. Girls Grades 4-7 - Brielle Speed.
8. Coaches vs. T-Ballers Mass Ball Ball Tag Game, Full Court
Two years ago the Ballers won. Last year the Coaches did. This year, the Coaches prevailed again.
Thunderball thanks all the parents for their support. T-Ball, now in its 25th season, plays every Sunday to the end of May, on the 29th.