Sudbury Five chase championship repeat as new season tips off

The Sudbury Five will open a new season and a new era tonight, celebrating last year’s Basketball Super League championship victory while immediately turning the page to the title defence.

The atmosphere on home court at the Sudbury Community Arena will be electric as the team raises its championship banner and receives championship rings, a ceremony steeped in pride for the past and focus on the future.

To ensure fans can share in the physical memory of the night, the organization announced a special giveaway on social media.

“Take a piece of the banner raising ceremony home with you. We’re giving away mini replica championship banners to the first 1,000 fans through the doors,” the team wrote.

“Get there early and make sure you’re one of the lucky ones!”

Returning champions channel victory into focus

For the returning players, the night is a celebration of hard work and a catalyst for more. The blend of ceremony and competition is generating a powerful, positive energy.

“We’re really excited. Just basically trying to do the same thing as last year, and (we’ve) been working really hard and (we’re) really excited for tonight,” said returning player Charlie Marquardt.

His teammate, Duane Notice, described the unique feeling of opening night.

“I feel great – a lot of anxious energy but in a positive way,” he said.

“Just being optimistic about the fact that we get to raise a banner. We get to have a trophy, ring night. Just commend what we did last year with the fans, the beautiful people that supported us,”

Notice said it will be a truly shared moment between the team and the community that has cheered them on.

Seamless transition under new leadership

The quest for a repeat unfolds under new leadership, with Joey Puddister now serving as both general manager and head coach. The transition, according to players, has been remarkably smooth thanks to a foundation of mutual trust.

“Joey Puddister has been a great guy, great coach, great mentor (and) a great leader,” said Notice.

“It’s always new going into an environment atmosphere where you’re not familiar with. But I think that we’ve been doing a great job. The returners and himself and the new coaching staff, which is kind of finding a good dynamic between us.”

Puddister himself credited the veteran core for making his new role easier than anticipated.

“Everybody here has been really great with the, with the turnover and everything like that,” he said.

“Especially the guys, they’ve had my back the whole time, I’ve had theirs. So yeah, it’s been easier than expected, honestly.”

Global roster gels with a ‘one per cent’ philosophy

The team’s composition has also evolved, welcoming six new faces – including an international player, Guan Ziyu Guangzhou on loan from the Loong Lions of the Chinese Basketball Association. Integrating this new talent is the preseason’s primary task, a challenge the team is embracing collectively.

“The biggest part of this is getting everybody to gel together and with such a strong core group of guys, that helps a lot,” Puddister said.

The newcomers bring a wealth of high-level experience that has impressed the holdovers.

“I mean, we got guys that have played all over the world and guys that have played high levels, you know, so with that type of stuff, I mean, the talent levels through the roof,” said Marquardt.

“I really am excited to see what they can provide for the team.”

To build the necessary chemistry, the team has adopted a dedicated, day-by-day approach, as outlined by Notice.

“I like to have this motto one per cent every day,” he said.

“Every day we’re putting in work together, gaining confidence, gaming that chemistry together. I think it’s been great so far, but yeah, it’s been challenging. But at the same time, it’s a beautiful challenge that we look forward to,”

Notice also issued a promise to the fans, ensuring the product on the floor will be worth the price of admission.

“The athleticism is through the roof,” he said.

“If you’re a fan, you got to come out and watch. It’s going to be some dunks going on for sure.”