Hoop Dreams: Sault Girls Aim High at Northern Basketball Trials
Basketball is more than just a sport for Arabella MacLachlan, Niyana Fox, and Molly Filice from Sault Ste. Marie; it’s a pivotal part of their lives. After showcasing their talents at regional tryouts held in Sudbury, these three dedicated Grade 10 students earned an incredible opportunity to compete with some of the best young players in Ontario.
In December, they participated in the Ontario Basketball Association (OBA) Team Ontario U17 girls regional tryouts at Laurentian University in Sudbury. Their skills on the court left a strong impression on the coaches, leading to their selection among the top 50 U17 girls in the province, giving them the chance to try out for Team Ontario in Toronto earlier this January.
While none of the girls made the provincial team, they left the experience feeling accomplished, their passion for basketball still burning bright. MacLachlan and Filice are proud students at Korah Collegiate, while Fox studies at White Pines Collegiate.
“It was exhilarating and truly motivating to be part of the northern Ontario tryouts,” MacLachlan shared with SooToday. The trials involved a variety of drills, skill assessments, and scrimmages, pushing each participant to perform at her best.
The subsequent tryouts in Toronto were intense, composed of two three-hour sessions filled with high-level competition. "Learning that I was one of the top 50 girls invited to Toronto after the northern Ontario tryouts was thrilling," MacLachlan expressed. "Rather than feeling discouraged, I view the Toronto tryouts as an extraordinary opportunity to understand what competing at a higher level feels like. I intend to try out again next year and hope to go even further."
One of her most cherished experiences has been playing on the junior girls’ high school team at Korah. "The camaraderie among the girls and coaches is wonderful, and winning the City Championship along with securing second place at NOSSA has been incredibly rewarding this year.” MacLachlan is already contemplating playing basketball at the collegiate level after graduating from Korah.
"I would love to obtain a scholarship, whether in Canada or the U.S. Both options represent competitive environments that could open doors for meeting new people, learning from different coaches, and possibly inspiring me to become a coach in the future," she said.
Among her inspirations are Paige Bueckers and the legendary now-retired Sue Bird from the Women’s National Basketball Association. "The Sudbury tryout was fierce, and being selected as one of the top 50 girls for the Toronto tryout felt like a tremendous honor. I felt on top of the world! Although I didn’t make the team in Toronto, it illuminated areas I need to improve," Fox remarked, reflecting on her journey.
Family and friendships play crucial roles in her involvement with basketball. "My biggest inspiration to play is my mom. I aspire to achieve something great for her. The bonds I've formed with other girls through basketball are unmatched," Fox added.
Filice, also from Korah, shares a similar enthusiasm as she reflects on the tryouts. "Participating with peers at the northern Ontario tryouts was exhilarating. I was both excited and surprised to learn that I was moving forward to the tryouts in Toronto. Those sessions were nerve-wracking but incredibly fun, involving scrimmages and skill-testing drills. I loved being around others who share my passion for the sport. It was a fantastic experience meeting new people," Filice said.
Like MacLachlan, Filice is a proud member of the City Championship-winning Korah Colts Junior Girls basketball team. "I hope to earn a scholarship to play basketball at a university or college level. This sport allows me to connect with so many new faces, and it's both challenging and motivating. It serves as a stress reliever, allowing me to spend time with friends while engaging in something I love," she explained.
All three girls are currently honing their skills under the guidance of coaches Greg MacLachlan and Matt Pavoni through the Algoma University Junior Thunderbirds skill development program. They are gearing up to compete with other Grade 10 girls on Sudbury's Lo-Ellen Park Prep Knights of the Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association, facing off against club teams from across Ontario on weekends.
"At the tryouts, the girls were competing not only against their peers but also against those a year older," noted Greg MacLachlan, who also happens to be Arabella’s father. He emphasized that all three girls are committed to working hard this season to enhance their skills, aiming for greater achievements in the coming year.
"Having coached these girls in various settings over the years, I can't adequately express how proud I am of their effort, dedication, and work ethic. Their commitment to improving and standing out in a sport they all love is inspiring," the coach concluded.
