Ultimate Hoops in Canada expanded on April 7th, 2016 to Mississauga Ontario with the season opening night of the Ultimate Hoops 2016 Spring League. What should’ve came a long time ago has started in Mississauga and this only the seed. I’ll tell you one thing though… these guys came out to play.

Game 1: Gains vs Team Havoc
Game 2: Renegade vs Spartans
Game 3: Force vs All Day

Game 1
The type of talent Mississauga had was displayed right from the jump with the first game Gains vs Team Havoc. Team Havoc’s Omar Talaat led his team this game bringing it down the court, pushing the ball in transition and scoring some key shots for his team dropping 20 for the game. Following his performance was Osama Afzal scoring 10 points with 2 threes.

Around the 2nd quarter was when things started to slip for Team Havoc however. Gains had some key contributors such as Kareem Toney finishing with 16 points and Shane Carty dropping a smooth 10. Their main contributor was Mohammed Sayeed who finished with 29 points scoring 5-8 from deep threes. It was a game full of dimes and assists. Gains start off their season right taking down Team Havoc 65 – 51

Game 2
This is Spartaaaaaaa. We saw some big names in this contest with The Spartans vs Renegades. The Renegades brought it strong to Spartans right off the jump showing their shooting ability and ball movement. Renegade’s Elvis Hermiz and Mark Burkett played well throughout the whole game scoring 14 each respectively. The big scorer of the Renegades however was Jeremy Alleyne. Jeremy showed many elite level moves, great flexibility on playing any position and guarding any position. He finished with a current league high of 31 points also grabbing 5 rebounds.

The Spartans had only 5 players this game but showed they are a well-oiled machine. Jordan Nazarene and Samantha Minicucci played well doing it all from assisting, scoring and defense both scoring 15 points respectively. Naji Mejalli was the team’s leading scorer getting to the basket again and again and again. He was a real glutton for punishment getting to the basketball and brushing off contact.

He couldn’t do this without his teammate Youssef Daif who showed a great display of skill and poise. Youssef crashed boards, made great passes to his teammates and scored when he needed to. A great player this one I would say the MVP of this first session. He finished with 16 points, 13 rebounds and 9 assists one assist shy of a triple double which would’ve been a first in Ultimate Hoops Toronto. Can’t wait till the next time Jeremy Alleyne and Youssef Daif go head to head again. Truly a great game. The Spartans brought down the Renegades 80 – 71

Game 3
Game three of the night had a great guard match-up between Daniel Deflorimante of The Force and Nathan Carter of All Day. I would say Daniel Deflorimante had the leg up on this match up though, but Nathan Carter had a lot of help and it showed in the box score. Daniel displayed some elite level moves keeping his team in the game scoring 28 points and also grabbing down 7 rebounds which is a great number as a PG. He had great help from his teammates Abdu Casey and Paul Boychuk who helped securing missed shots fighting down low getting rebounds as well as scoring some as well.

All Day really did come to play. All points were evened out throughout the team with most of the player scoring over double digits. Manuel Mendez and Fady Kamel did great jobs with a balance of scoring, passing and getting in the passing lanes for deflections and steals. Big bully Travis Francis brought fire to the team playing aggressive and grabbing 8 rebounds and getting 3 blocks and also contributing with 11 points. Adding Nathan Carter’s 18 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists All Day were able to securing a hard fought victory over The Force 53 – 48.

There is already a lot of smack talking and rivalries going on after week 1. I’d say it’s going to be an interesting Spring League out here in Mississauga.