‘Very talented’: Saunders Sabres looking for berth in London-hosted OFSAA AAA basketball tournament

The Saunders Sabres are looking for a berth in London-hosted OFSAA AAA basketball tournament.

The Saunders Sabres senior boy’s basketball team has unfinished business.

After missing out on a chance to compete for a berth in the provincial tournament a year ago, they are trying to finish what they started.

Head coach Jamie Clark blames himself for the mistake a year ago, which saw one of his players become ineligible late in the year when he suited up in a prep league game.

“It was our fault as coaches,” said Clark. “He asked us if we if he could play, and their coach asked if he could play in a game. We said, ‘Sure!’ It turns out he wasn’t allowed to play in that league game for us.”

So far in regular season play, the Sabres are a perfect 7-0 after a 52-32 win over Oakridge Monday afternoon.

“It’s a little more motivation,” added Clark. “The guys are pretty focused. We have a great group of kids who really, really want this.”

Sabres point guard Micheal Dixon believes they are a tough team, who is very talented.

“Our team is very fast paced,” said Dixon. “That’s our main focus, but we also try to slow down and run our offense.”

When asked what makes this team a contender, Dixon replied, “Our defensive intensity and our offensive intensity.”

This year, the AAA OFSAA basketball tournament is in London with Mother Teresa Secondary School as host.

“We just played Mother Teresa over there over the weekend, and they got us by 25 [points],” said Clark. “I think they’re a little bit better than us, but that’s okay. We’re hopefully going to regroup.”

London will get two teams in the tournament, which is being played March 9-11, 2026.

“It is exciting, and we have two teams who can compete for the gold,” added Clark, after the Spartans finished second last year at OFSAA. “We’re right there and Mother Theresa is absolutely right there. London is in a good place for OFSAA.”