Oct 30 to Nov 7, 2026
Double issue
A Quarter In.
Two weekends, twenty Players of the Game, a first win, an overtime win and a team that refused to let a short bench slow it down.
Weeks 5 and 6, and we're a quarter of the way through the season. The coaches have been busy handing out Player of the Game shirts at the Richmond Olympic Oval.
This is a double issue, so we've split it by weekend. Read the stories below, or open the At a glance list at the end of each week for the quick version. Look closely and you'll see the Winning Habits showing up all through these picks.
Week 5 · Oct 30 and 31
Firsts and finishes.
A first win for the Blue Devils, a pair of threes to open a game, and a lot of players doing the hard work around the rim.
The first one
Win number
one.
Eric L. · Blue Devils · Bantam · Coach Tony
The Blue Devils got their first win of the season, and Eric was a big part of it.
He kept slashing into the gaps and getting to the rim, and at the other end he set the tone for the defence. His coach called out how consistent he was with two of our Winning Habits: walling up at the rim and boxing out.
First win of the season. Here's to the next one.
Players of the Game
Oct 30 and 31
01Greg K.
Greg spent the game guarding a taller player and held his own. He cleaned up the defensive glass, came up with steals, pushed the pace, and then hit the big buckets late when the Bulldogs needed them.
02William Z.
What a way to start: two threes, back to back. William didn't settle for the outside shot after that. He went inside and finished in the paint, then knocked down a clutch mid-range jumper late.
Cameron was a beast on both ends of the floor today!Coach Hamza
03Matthew N.
Defence first. Matthew locked onto his matchup and protected the paint with blocks. On offence he finished his chances and set up his teammates with the right pass.
04Yamato S.
Quick hands all game. Yamato's defensive pressure turned into deflections and steals, and he made the most of it at the other end with two threes and some finishes at the rim.
05Nevo I.
Nevo did his best work in the paint. He protected the rim on defence, played unselfish team basketball, and finished his chances around the basket.
06Cameron K.
Cameron made his mark at both ends with strong drives, tough defence and blocks. His coach liked how he stayed focused, moved on to the next play and set an example for his teammates.
07Tyler
Tyler set the pace by pushing the ball up the floor and kept talking to his teammates the whole way. He brought the energy all game, then hit the clutch shots down the stretch to help close out the win.
The Girls' Side
Dream · Tempo
Two players who did the hard things: chase loose balls, talk on defence and give their team second chances.
Karena C.
Karena has been consistent for the Dream all season, and this game was more of the same. She hustled for loose balls and rebounds, then scored key buckets to lock up the win.
Caylie S.
A leader on the floor. Caylie kept talking and encouraging her teammates, defended relentlessly, and crashed the boards to give Tempo extra chances.
Week 5 at a glance: all 10 Players of the Game
Week 6 · Nov 6 and 7
Extra time, extra effort.
An overtime win, a team that started short-handed and didn't blink, and a lot of hustle on the defensive end.
The overtime game
Into overtime.
Out with a win.
Kayden S. · Jayhawks · Bantam · Coach Amir
Regulation wasn't enough to settle this one. The Jayhawks and their opponent went to overtime, and that's where the little things start to count.
Kayden did the little things all game. He defended hard, was in the right spot over and over, and finished strong around the basket. When the extra minutes came, his defence and finishing helped the Jayhawks pull it out.
Close games are won by the details.
Players of the Game
Nov 6 and 7
01Jeremy S.
Jeremy was the anchor of the defence. He kept the ball handler turned, went straight up at the rim and cleaned up the rebounds. Then he dove for loose balls and ran the lanes in transition.
02Sullivan S.
The Golden Eagles started with fewer players than the other team. The plan before tip-off was simple: run in transition. Sullivan ran it, pushing the ball himself or sprinting alongside the ball handler, and he stayed with his check on defence.
Sullivan did not let that stop us!Coach Aiden
03Kevin X.
Kevin's pressure set the tone. He came up with multiple steals, helped slow down the other team's players, and finished strong inside to help the Lakers to the win.
04Kolten C.
Kolten played with no fear. He attacked the rim, finished through contact for and-ones, and delivered points when they mattered most. On the glass he boxed out and created second chances for the Red Birds.
05Jonathan W.
Jonathan's defence turned into easy offence, with stops leading to transition buckets. He got into the paint for layups, and when the defence collapsed on him he found the open teammate.
06Maximus N.
Max took care of the ball. He was patient, dribbled with purpose, and he stayed aggressive enough to score some tough buckets. When the Mavericks made a push, he kept his cool and kept doing the little things.
07Ryan C.
Ryan brought energy and grit from the opening tip. He was a threat on offence right away, and on defence his steals turned into runs the other way.
08Aiden
Aiden earned his coach's nod on the defensive end. He worked hard on his own check, and even when his player didn't have the ball he stayed in the right spot to help his team.
The Girls' Side
Tempo
Tempo, again
Sahanna M.
Another strong game for Tempo, and Sahanna was in the middle of all of it. Her defensive pressure forced turnovers, she ran the floor and found herself open for easy baskets, and she battled for every rebound and loose ball.
This fall so far
Building something
Tempo has now had a Player of the Game two weeks running, Caylie S. and Sahanna M. The Dream are up to four different players with the shirt this fall: Valerie S., Alexis D., Tiffany M. and Karena C. More girls' picks from this weekend may still be on the way.
Week 6 at a glance: all 10 Players of the Game
Habit Watch · Weeks 5 and 6
Four habits, named by the coaches.
Every SSB player learns the 12 Winning Habits. Over these two weekends, coaches called out four of them by name in their Player of the Game picks.
Wall Up
At the rim, lower body low and both hands straight up.
Spotted: Eric L. and Jeremy S.
Box Out
On every shot, find your check, make contact and keep them off the glass.
Spotted: Eric L. and Kolten C.
Turn the Ball
Pressure the ball handler so they can't face the basket or pass easily.
Spotted: Jeremy S.
Dribble with a Purpose
Dribble only to attack, improve a passing angle or escape pressure.
Spotted: Maximus N.
Ask at home
Coaches have been talking with players about the habits they're working on.
Ask your player which habit they've been working on.
From the Sidelines
Fall Academy game day (Oct 2) and Community Day (Oct 12). Player of the Game photos by Academy coaches.
Next issue
See you at the Oval.
Week 7 is next. Keep building the habits, and we'll be back with another Academy Weekly after the games.