NPH D1 Girls Championship Weekend: London Programs Sweep the Junior & Senior Titles
Championship weekend at North Pole Hoops (NPH) delivered a powerful statement for the city of London, as two programs from the region captured titles in convincing fashion within the NPH D1 Junior and NPH D1 Senior divisions.
Southwest Academy secured the NPH D1 Junior Girls Championship, while B1CE London captured the NPH D1 Senior Girls Championship, giving London programs a clean sweep of the NPH D1 divisions during one of the most competitive weekends of the season.
The NPH D1 platform continues to represent the highest level of competition within the North Pole Hoops ecosystem, bringing together elite prep programs from across the country. Championship weekend once again showcased the depth, talent, and high-level execution that defines the NPH brand of basketball.
Both championship matchups featured very different storylines—one a dramatic comeback victory against an undefeated opponent, the other a dominant second-half takeover—but each performance highlighted the level of competition that makes NPH D1 basketball one of the premier platforms in Canada.
Southwest Academy Mounts Second-Half Comeback to Capture the NPH D1 Junior Championship
The NPH D1 Junior Girls Championship produced one of the most exciting games of the weekend as Southwest Academy battled past Royal Crown School 68–65, handing Royal Crown their first loss of the season and securing the NPH D1 Junior title.
Royal Crown entered the championship undefeated and carried that confidence into the first half, executing efficiently on the offensive end while applying pressure defensively. Their disciplined play allowed them to control the tempo early and build momentum, eventually taking an eight-point lead into halftime.
Coming out of the break, however, Southwest Academy made the adjustments that would ultimately change the game.
Increasing their defensive pressure and tightening their rotations, Southwest began disrupting Royal Crown’s offensive rhythm. The defensive intensity sparked transition opportunities and allowed Southwest to slowly chip away at the deficit. Possession by possession, the momentum began to shift.
By the late stages of the third quarter and into the fourth, Southwest had fully settled into their rhythm. Their ability to generate key stops while converting on critical offensive possessions allowed them to take control of the game when it mattered most.
Leading the way was Taya Willemsen, the 6’5 center from the Class of 2029, who delivered a dominant performance in the championship game. Willemsen finished with 20 points and 15 rebounds, controlling the paint on both ends of the floor and providing Southwest with a consistent interior scoring presence.
Her ability to protect the rim, secure rebounds, and impact the game defensively played a major role in Southwest’s second-half comeback. Willemsen’s presence around the basket limited second-chance opportunities for Royal Crown while helping stabilize Southwest’s defense during critical moments of the game.
For her dominant two-way performance, Willemsen was named the NPH D1 Junior Championship MVP, capping off an outstanding showing that powered Southwest Academy to the title.
B1CE London Breaks the Game Open in the Second Half to Capture the NPH D1 Senior Championship
The NPH D1 Senior Girls Championship saw B1CE London deliver a commanding second-half performance, defeating Royal Crown School 84–44 to secure the NPH D1 Senior title.
Despite the final margin, the game remained competitive throughout the first half. Royal Crown, competing short-handed, battled with determination and managed to keep the game within reach early on. B1CE London held a 10-point advantage at halftime, but the contest still felt within striking distance.
That changed quickly once the third quarter began.
B1CE London opened the second half with a surge of energy and intensity, applying defensive pressure that forced turnovers and disrupted Royal Crown’s offensive flow. Those defensive stops quickly translated into fast-break opportunities as B1CE pushed the tempo and capitalized in transition.
The result was a 33–6 third-quarter run, a decisive stretch that completely shifted the momentum and created an insurmountable lead.
At the center of the performance was Livy Martin, the Class of 2026 5’8 shooting guard, who delivered one of the most dominant individual performances of the entire NPH championship weekend.
Martin finished the game with an incredible stat line of 30 points, 18 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals, impacting nearly every aspect of the game.
Her scoring consistently put pressure on the defense, while her relentless work on the glass helped B1CE London control possessions throughout the contest. Martin also showcased strong playmaking ability, creating scoring opportunities for teammates while maintaining the offensive flow.
Her all-around performance earned her NPH D1 Senior Championship MVP honors, highlighting a dominant performance that played a major role in B1CE London pulling away in the second half and securing the championship.
London Programs Continue to Raise the Standard on the NPH Stage
With both the NPH D1 Junior and NPH D1 Senior championships captured by London-based programs, the weekend served as another reminder of the strength and depth of girls basketball talent developing in the region.
Programs like Southwest Academy and B1CE London continue to produce high-level athletes capable of competing on the biggest stages within Canadian prep basketball.
From Southwest Academy’s resilience in overcoming an undefeated opponent to B1CE London’s explosive second-half performance in the senior final, Championship Sunday at North Pole Hoops showcased exactly what the NPH D1 divisions are built for: elite competition, high-level development, and a national platform for the next generation of talent.
And if this weekend proved anything, it’s that the London basketball pipeline continues to grow stronger—while the NPH stage remains where top programs rise to the occasion.
