The CNIT Junior Girls Division featured emerging talent, competitive matchups and impressive individual performances from players across several age groups. Throughout the weekend, young prospects displayed their scoring ability, defensive toughness, basketball IQ and willingness to compete against high-level opposition.

The tournament concluded with a championship battle between Norwood Stars and DropOff Elite, two programs that consistently demonstrated their depth, physicality and ability to perform in pressure situations. Norwood ultimately captured the title, while players from Sudbury Jam, Fury, Durham Force, PDM Basketball and Legacy Prep also established themselves among the event’s top performers.

Championship Game: Norwood Stars Defeat DropOff Elite in a Thriller

The CNIT Junior Girls championship came down to the final possessions, with Norwood Stars holding off DropOff Elite for a hard-fought 56–53 victory.

The two teams traded momentum throughout the game, with neither side able to create significant separation. DropOff Elite continued applying pressure until the final buzzer, but Norwood remained composed and made the necessary plays to secure the championship.

Mya Williams delivered her best performance of the tournament when the stakes were highest. The Norwood Stars guard erupted for 25 points in the championship game, providing the offensive production, toughness and leadership her team needed to complete its title run.

Williams’ championship performance earned her CNIT Junior Girls Finals MVP honours.

Elizabeth Pitt also made a major contribution for Norwood, finishing with 15 points while bringing her usual physicality, versatility and relentless effort. DropOff Elite was led by Temilade Ayodele, who scored 17 points and continued to present matchup problems with her combination of size, length and guard skills.

The three-point final was a fitting conclusion to a highly competitive Junior Girls Division, with Norwood Stars demonstrating the composure and execution required to finish the weekend as CNIT champions.

Top Performers at CNIT

Mya Williams — 2029 | 5’3” PG | Norwood Stars

Mya Williams was one of the toughest and most productive guards at CNIT, consistently impacting games with her basketball IQ, competitiveness and ability to make plays.

A physical guard who embraces contact, Williams attacked every possession with confidence and never hesitated to compete against bigger opponents. Her court vision and decision-making stood out throughout the tournament, as she consistently created scoring opportunities for herself and her teammates.

With her speed and strong ball-handling ability, Williams pushed the pace in transition while also showing the poise to control the tempo in the half court. What separated her was her relentless approach. She was willing to hit the floor, battle through contact and compete on every possession at both ends.

Williams saved her best performance for the championship game, scoring 25 points to lead Norwood Stars to a 56–53 victory over DropOff Elite. Her ability to take over offensively and deliver in the tournament’s biggest moment earned her CNIT Junior Girls Finals MVP honours.

Heading into Grade 11 and currently exploring prep opportunities, Williams brings the toughness, skill and leadership qualities that programs look for in a high-level guard.

Notable Performances:

• vs. Fury: 13 points
• vs. Durham Force: 16 points
• vs. STAC Academy: 14 points
• vs. Sudbury Jam: 11 points
• vs. DropOff Elite in the championship: 25 points and Finals MVP

Elizabeth Pitt — 2032 | 5’8” PG | Norwood Stars

Elizabeth Pitt was one of the most impressive all-around competitors at CNIT, combining athleticism, strength and an outstanding team-first mentality.

A powerful presence on the court, Pitt played with an aggressive mindset while remaining extremely unselfish and consistently looking to make the correct play. Her ball-handling ability at her size stood out, allowing her to create opportunities and bring another level of versatility to Norwood’s lineup.

Beyond her physical and technical abilities, Pitt’s work ethic separated her from many of the other players at the tournament. She was consistently one of the first players in the gym and approached every game with the dedication of a true gym rat.

Pitt also brought tremendous energy away from the action. She remained positive, respectful and encouraging toward her teammates throughout the weekend.

She delivered 15 points in the championship game, providing Norwood with an important secondary scoring option as the Stars secured the title.

Her combination of talent, competitiveness, character and willingness to work makes her the type of teammate every program wants to have.

Notable Performances:

• vs. Fury: 12 points
• vs. Sudbury Jam: 24 points
• vs. DropOff Elite in the championship: 15 points

Jenelle Bogle — 2031| 5’9” PG | Norwood Stars

Jenelle Bogle showcased a high basketball IQ and an advanced understanding of how to attack opposing defences throughout the tournament.

A gifted scorer, Bogle consistently created quality opportunities by reading defenders and choosing strong attack angles to the basket. Her ability to change direction, get downhill and finish plays with confidence made her a difficult matchup throughout the weekend.

She played with patience and poise, allowing the game to come to her rather than forcing difficult opportunities. When the defence gave her an opening, she attacked decisively and showed the scoring instincts required to make opponents pay.

Bogle’s combination of creativity, skill and offensive awareness makes her an exciting young talent with the ability to impact games at a high level.

Notable Performances:

• vs. Fury: 17 points
• vs. Durham Force: 10 points
• vs. STAC Academy: 20 points
• vs. Sudbury Jam: 10 points

Temilade Ayodele — 2031 | 5’10” G/F | DropOff Elite

Temilade Ayodele showcased an impressive combination of size, length and versatility throughout CNIT, proving to be a matchup problem on both ends of the floor.

A poised and confident scorer, Ayodele displayed guard-like skills by comfortably bringing the ball up the court and initiating the offence despite her size. She stretched opposing defences with her ability to knock down the three-point shot while also using her length to finish plays around the basket.

Defensively, Ayodele was equally effective. She used her size and mobility to guard multiple positions and made a strong impact on the glass.

She produced 17 points against Norwood Stars, giving DropOff Elite an important offensive presence against the eventual tournament champions.

Ayodele’s unique blend of skill, versatility and basketball IQ makes her a high-upside prospect capable of contributing in several different roles.

Notable Performances:

• vs. Sudbury Jam: 12 points
• vs. PDM Basketball: 13 points
• vs. Durham Force: 13 points
• vs. Norwood Stars: 17 points

Daphnée Labelle — 2029 | 5’5” PG | Sudbury Jam

Daphnée Labelle was a dynamic point guard whose combination of ball-handling ability, pace and high basketball IQ allowed her to control the flow of games.

She did an excellent job changing speeds, keeping defenders off balance and creating opportunities for herself and her teammates. Labelle played under control while still applying consistent pressure to opposing defences.

On the defensive end, she was a relentless competitor who embraced every challenge and set the tone with her intensity. Her active hands and anticipation regularly produced steals, which she quickly turned into transition opportunities.

With her leadership, defensive toughness and ability to contribute at both ends, Labelle established herself as one of the tournament’s most complete and effective floor generals.

Notable Performances:

• vs. DropOff Elite: 13 points
• vs. PDM Basketball: 20 points
• vs. Norwood Stars: 11 points

Kallie Smith — 2029 | 5’9” PG | Sudbury Jam

Kallie Smith showcased a polished offensive game throughout CNIT, proving to be a dependable scorer and natural leader.

A confident shooter, Smith consistently knocked down timely three-pointers that shifted momentum and provided Sudbury Jam with an important offensive boost.

She demonstrated the ability to score at all three levels, attacking the basket, creating opportunities in the mid-range and stretching the defence with her perimeter shooting.

Smith also played with impressive pace and composure, controlling the flow of the game with maturity beyond her years. Her confidence, leadership and scoring versatility made her one of the tournament’s most impressive guards.

Notable Performances:

• vs. Legacy Prep: 16 points
• vs. PDM Basketball: 19 points
• vs. Norwood Stars: 10 points

Drew Bauld — 2031| 5’2” PG | Fury

Drew Bauld displayed impressive ball-handling skills and moved with the quickness and confidence expected from a lead guard.

She never hesitated to make plays, attacking opportunities with poise while confidently stepping into perimeter shots when left open. Her ability to change speeds allowed her to control the tempo without allowing the game to become too fast.

Bauld’s defensive instincts were equally impressive. She showcased excellent hands by jumping passing lanes, forcing turnovers and consistently making the correct rotations.

Her awareness allowed her to provide timely help defence and remain in strong positions throughout each possession. Bauld’s combination of confidence, basketball IQ, defensive discipline and guard skills helped her stand out.

Notable Performances:

• vs. Norwood Stars: eight points
• vs. STAC Academy: six points
• vs. Durham Force: five points

Elena Isabister — 2030 | 5’8” PF/C | Fury

Elena Isabister established herself as a physical presence in the paint, using her strength and toughness to impact the game on both ends.

Despite her physical playing style, Isabister showcased a soft touch around the rim and consistently converted finishes through contact and traffic.

She was also an effective rebounder, controlling the glass, creating second-chance opportunities and limiting opponents to one shot on the defensive end.

Isabister ran the floor well for a frontcourt player, filled the lanes in transition and rewarded her teammates by finishing plays around the basket.

Her ability to control the paint, rebound the ball and compete with relentless effort made her one of the tournament’s most effective interior players.

Notable Performances:

• vs. Norwood Stars: 12 points
• vs. STAC Academy: 10 points

Aaliyah John — 2031| 5’9″ PG |Durham Force

Aaliyah John made her presence felt in the paint throughout CNIT with her physicality, rebounding and defensive discipline.

She consistently battled for position on the glass, creating extra possessions through offensive rebounds and scoring a high percentage of her points on putbacks around the basket.

Defensively, John displayed excellent awareness. She used strong positioning and remained vertical when contesting shots rather than unnecessarily reaching or leaving her feet.

Her ability to defend with discipline while avoiding fouls allowed her to remain on the floor and provide Durham Force with a reliable presence in the paint.

John’s toughness, rebounding instincts and fundamentally sound defence made her an important contributor on both ends.

Notable Performances:

• vs. STAC Academy: 11 points
• vs. Norwood Stars: 7 points
• vs. Fury: 16 points

Nyla Syed — 2028 | 5’6” PG | PDM Basketball

Nyla Syed established herself as a true two-way player, impacting games with her speed, energy and defensive instincts.

Offensively, Syed thrived in the open court. She constantly looked to push the pace in transition and create easy scoring opportunities before opposing defences could get organized.

On the defensive end, her active hands and anticipation stood out. She consistently jumped passing lanes, forced turnovers and converted steals into quick points.

Her relentless effort and ability to change the momentum of games through her defence made her a valuable presence throughout the weekend.

With her combination of athleticism, hustle and two-way versatility, Syed demonstrated that she can influence the game in several different ways.

Notable Performances:

• vs. Legacy Prep: seven points
• vs. Sudbury Jam: 18 points

Nyla Liburd — 2029| 5’4″ G | Legacy Prep

Nyla Liburd played with confidence and fearlessness every time she stepped onto the court.

She never hesitated to attack opportunities offensively, while her understanding of spacing and movement consistently put her in positions to create scoring chances for herself and her teammates.

Liburd showcased strong ball-handling skills, allowing her to play under control while breaking down defenders and helping initiate the offence.

Her composure, decision-making and willingness to embrace important moments made her a reliable presence throughout the tournament.

With her confidence, offensive awareness and developing skill set, Liburd demonstrated plenty of upside and established herself as a player to continue watching.

Notable Performances:

• vs. Sudbury Jam: 18 points
• vs. DropOff Elite: nine points

A Strong Showing from Canada’s Next Generation

The CNIT Junior Girls Division provided an important platform for young players to compete against high-level opposition, develop through meaningful games and showcase their abilities in front of coaches, scouts and spectators.

Norwood Stars’ championship run was led by a talented and competitive group. Mya Williams delivered a Finals MVP performance with 25 points in the championship, while Elizabeth Pitt and Jenelle Bogle consistently made their presence felt throughout the weekend.

DropOff Elite once again demonstrated why it remains one of the country’s most competitive girls programs, with Temilade Ayodele showcasing the versatility and upside that make her an intriguing long-term prospect.

Sudbury Jam’s Daphnée Labelle and Kallie Smith also impressed with their scoring ability, leadership and control of the game, while players from Fury, Durham Force, PDM Basketball and Legacy Prep contributed to the overall depth of the division.

Norwood’s 56–53 championship victory provided a memorable conclusion, but the talent displayed throughout the entire Junior Girls Division showed that the future of Canadian women’s basketball continues to grow stronger.