OFSAA tournament brings great basketball, economic boom to the Forest City

Hundreds of people have descended on London for the OFSAA basketball tournament, leading to an economic boom. Brent Lale with the story.

The OFSAA AAA boys’ basketball tournament has been an economic boom for the City of London.

“We have 400 athletes and coaches and their families coming into town,” said Tim Clayton, the OFSAA representative for the London tournament. “We’re staying at four different hotels and using the restaurants near those hotels. I think the impact is pretty substantial.”

London hosted the provincial tournament for the first time since 2011. That year future NBA star Andrew Wiggins was in town playing for eventual champion Vaughan.

Teams came from all over the province to the Forest City.

“I love it here. Really nice to be here,” said Liam Masters, who plays for Adam Scott in Peterborough. “It’s a super great group of guys and I love spending time with them.”

For London Saunders Head Coach Jamie Clark, it was a dream come true.

He has been coaching boys for more than two decades and this was the first time he qualified for OFSAA. His son is on his team.

“This is so exciting for me, but it’s also exciting for my players and my son,” said Clark. “It’s awesome. It’s been a long time. We’re a hotbed of basketball and having this here is only more exposure for the city.”

He wasn’t the only first timer. The Maple Ridge Ravens from Barrie had never qualified.

“It’s just something completely different from anything we’ve ever done before,” said Tommy Lamon of the Ravens. “Even if we don’t win or anything, it’s just a huge accomplishment to come here.”

At the merchandise table, the London-specific gear was designed by convenor Kwame Aidoo.

“I met with them [OFSAA] and as the Forest City we wanted to incorporate a lot of trees in there,” said Aidoo. “We have some iconic buildings and landmarks in there. I’m really happy with the color scheme and the merch has been selling well.”

It’s a big week with a lasting impact.

“I remember when Andrew Wiggins came through last time and basketball boomed a little bit,” added Clark. “The same thing’s going to happen there, kids in the stands here watching all of our great players and other great players. It’s going to boom again in London.”

The Spartans as hosts reached the championship game and added more excitement to the event.

“Hopefully what it’ll do is create the drive from somebody else around the city who wants to host the next one sooner than 15 years from now,” said Clayton.