Uncategorized

Congratulations to the following players:

Team Name:
U16 Barbeau

Total Years Coaching:
20 years

Teams Played for:
– Belleville Spirits (Grades 4-12)
– Nicholson Crusaders (2003-2007)
– University of Western Ontario (2007-2012)
– Baskets Vilsbiburg- German Pro B League (2012)

Favourite Practice Drills:
Player led scrimmage and game situations

Top 3 Qualities You Want in a Player:
– Someone who loves the success of their teammates
– Players who are willing to play a role
– Resilient

Your Favourite Basketball Memory:
– Winning 3 consecutive OFSAA Provincial Basketball Championships in high school
– signing my first professional basketball contract
– As a coach my favorite memory has been helping to get my Senior girls’ team at St Theresa to OFSAA last year

Basketball Pet peeve:
– careless turnovers
– players not being prepared coming out of timeouts

Pre-Game Playlist:
Nas or Jay-Z

Hobbies outside of basketball:
Gymnastics, basketball or swimming with my son Freddy.

Favourite Current Player:
Shai Gilgeous Alexander

Name & Team:
u16 Shakell

Years Coaching Basketball:
10 years total

Playing Background:
Moira Trojans for 5 years (under the great Ken Smith)

Favourite Basketball Drill:
Any competitive drill that produces lots of sweat (maybe a bit of blood)

Top 3 Qualities You Want in a Player:
WE before ME attitude, hard worker, laughs at my jokes

Your Favourite Basketball Memory:
Building a 275 link chain as a team

Basketball Pet Peeve:
ME before WE

Pre-Game Playlist Must-Have:
Anything that gets the toes a tappin…
E.g. pink pony girl

Favourite Thing to Do Outside of Basketball:
Trailer with family, coaching football, watching Buffalo Bills 

Favourite Current Player:
Dennis Rodman, or any gritty player

2025-2026 Team:
U12 Belleville Spirits

Years Coaching Basketball:
20 years, 18 with the Spirits

Playing Background:
I played volleyball and ball hockey as a kid. I got involved in coaching when my daughters started to play school and competitive basketball in London, Ontario

Favourite Basketball Drill:
2on2 Frenzy – it’s a fast-paced drill that works on transition, offense, defense, passing, outlets, closeouts, rebounding. The kids love this drill

Top 3 Qualities You Want in a Player:
1. Quickness
2. Intensity at both ends of the court
3. Committed to working hard in practice

Favourite Basketball Memory:
Watching the U16s win the Provincial Championship with Coaches Tom Callahan, Darryl Drain, and Jeff Bechervaise. Most of those players started with me back in Grade 5 and 6, Tom was gracious enough to ask me to give out the gold medals at the end of the game

Basketball Pet Peeve:
Wasting time in practice
Not paying attention
Not giving 100%

Pre-Game Playlist Must-Have:
AC/DC, Thunderstruck

Favourite Thing to Do Outside of Basketball:
Hang out with the grandkids, particularly swimming together at our cottage

Favourite Current Player:
Paige Bueckers

Name & Team:
Coach McGrath – U19

Years Coaching Basketball:
7 years with Belleville Spirits

Playing Background:
Loyalist College

Favourite Basketball Drill:
First to 10 team lay-ups�
Top 3 Qualities You Want in a Player: Attitude/Effort/Willingness to learn�
Your Favourite Basketball Memory: back to back to back OBA championships�
Basketball Pet Peeve:
a busted mesh�
Pre-Game Playlist Must-Have:
Warm It Up – Kris Kross�
Favourite Thing to Do Outside of Basketball: Horseshoes and Fishing�
Favourite Current Player:
Sabrina Ionescu

A huge thank you to everyone who has already signed up — the momentum is building!  We’re thrilled about the possibility of having multiple teams at u13, u14, u15, and u16 levels this season.

That means even more opportunities for athletes to develop their game, compete, and be part of the Spirits family. 

 Find our tryout schedule and registration at bellevillespirits.com/tryouts/

Tired of reffing from the stands?

Now’s your chance to make it official 

We’re looking for new officials of all ages (especially young people!) who want to stay involved in the game and earn extra cash 

 Intro Session: August 28 @ 7 PM
 Location: Nicholson Catholic College, Providence Gym
 Email: bqbabo.secretary@gmail.com
 More info: www.bqbabo.ca

Please share this and help us grow the next generation of referees in our community!