THE RUNDOWN

Day 1 of basketball action at the 2025 Canada Summer Games is in the books, as 12 games across both 17U men’s and women’s divisions took place at the Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Centre and The Works – Field House at Memorial University in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.

NOTEWORTHY

• For the first-time in Canada Summer Games history, Nunavut is competing in basketball. Both 17U Men’s and Women’s teams made their debuts early in the day, with both narrowly falling to Yukon.
• A day after leading Saskatchewan into the Games as the province’s flag bearer, Hayden Dot led her team in scoring with 19 points on 9-19 shooting, helping Saskatchewan power past Newfoundland and Labrador in 17U Women’s action.
• Ryder English gave the home crowd lots to cheer about. English dropped a game-high 37 points — with 24 of the 37 coming in the first half — on 14-28 shooting, including 8-16 from long-range. Ryder is coached by his dad Carl, who was a longtime member of the Senior Men’s National Team.
• Jordyn Nohr and Pippa Gibb went back-and-forth in a battle between a pair of U16 Women’s National Team members from this summer. Thanks in large part to a standout first half, Gibb and Alberta prevailed and moved to 1-0, while British Columbia fell to 0-1.

STAND OUTS

• Gabe Thompson, Yukon 17U Men’s — 27 PTS, 9-15 FG, 8-11 3PT, 5 REB
• Jordan Rhodes, Nunavut 17U Men’s — 22 PTS, 8-11 FG, 6-7 3PT
• Alex Newson, Prince Edward Island 17U Women’s — 21 PTS, 7-13 FG, 3-5 3PT, 6 REB, 6 AST
• Kalan-Jameer Leith, Quebec 17U Men’s — 26 PTS, 9-20 FG, 5 REB
• Josh Lawlor, Prince Edward Island 17U Men’s — 9-17 FG, 6-11 3PT, 3 REB, 2 STL
• Jordyn Nohr, British Columbia 17U Women’s — 18 PTS, 6-18 FG
• Halle Penner, Manitoba 17U Women’s — 22 PTS, 9-12 FG, 2 BLK, 2 REB
• Ella Hoyt, Nova Scotia 17U Women’s — 15 PTS, 6-9 FG
• Pippa Gibb, Alberta 17U Women’s — 17 PTS, 6-15 FG, 3 AST

‍QUOTABLES

“It’s incredible. The turn-out was really good and it was only the first day. It’s a really great experience and a huge blessing to be able to play on a stage like this in your hometown.” - Newfoundland and Labrador 17U Women’s forward Coryssa Danae Tucker

“It’s a big opportunity [on being a part of Nunavut’s first-ever men’s basketball team at the Canada Games] and a great one too. The opportunity I get to represent Nunavut is amazing. I think it means a lot for people back home. Basketball in Nunavut isn’t really a big thing, so I think it means a lot for people back home to see us compete in this environment against other provinces and territories.” - Nunavut 17U Men’s guard Ngankam Yombang

“Sometimes it’s difficult [to be coached by my dad], but he knows what’s best for me. He just tells me to keep going and to not stop shooting. He believes in me the most, so I’ve got to keep doing what I’m doing.” - Newfoundland and Labrador 17U Men’s forward Ryder English

“[Starting with a win is] huge. These first games are really important for the team’s morale. The nice thing about being in the power pool is the games really prepare you for the playoffs. We’re just trying to learn a lot along the way and keep our group really confident.” - Alberta 17U Women’s head coach Megan Wickstrom

NEXT UP

Day 2 gets underway tomorrow in St. John’s as preliminary round action continues. Playoff games begin on Wednesday, Aug. 13, while medal games are set for Saturday, Aug. 16.