Photo Credit: Freeze Frame Photos

Over the November 28th and 29th weekend, the Algoma Thunderbirds women’s and men’s basketball programs wrapped up their 2025 calendar year on the road with stops in Toronto and St. Catharines, meeting the York Lions and Brock Badgers in OUA action.

On Friday, November 28th, the women opened their weekend in Toronto, where Sault Ste. Marie’s own Sadie Grawbarger continued her strong season by leading Algoma with a standout performance. Grawbarger posted 20 points, 11 rebounds, and played 33 minutes in the Thunderbirds’ 81–55 loss to the Lions. As the team heads into 2026, the Sault Ste. Marie forward sits ninth in the OUA in rebounds, averaging 9.5 per game.

Supporting the Algoma attack were Brooke Gruhn, Riya Donnelly, and Elia Galdos, each finishing with eight points. Gruhn contributed 25 minutes and two rebounds, while Galdos added five rebounds in 20 minutes of action. Donnelly also logged 25 minutes and pulled down two boards.

The following night in St. Catharines, the Thunderbirds faced a strong Brock Badgers squad. Grawbarger once again led Algoma with 10 points, nine rebounds, and 38 minutes played in an 89–53 setback. Gruhn and Galdos both chipped in with eight points. Gruhn added a rebound in 33 minutes on the floor, while Galdos was active on the glass with six rebounds in 15 minutes.

On the men’s side, Aweres Township’s Logan Whitmell fueled Algoma in their Friday night matchup in Toronto, finishing with a team-high 22 points, six rebounds, and 35 minutes in an 87–81 loss to the Lions. Chance Beaudoin-Skerritt contributed 15 points and seven rebounds in 22 minutes, while Oliver Kristoffersen rounded out the top three scorers with 10 points, four rebounds, and 29 minutes of action.

Saturday’s game in St. Catharines saw the Thunderbirds fall 75–61 to the Brock Badgers. Whitmell again paced Algoma, scoring 15 points with four rebounds in 32 minutes. Jean-Luc Cubahiro and Beaudoin-Skerritt each registered nine points, with Cubahiro adding seven rebounds in 29 minutes. Beaudoin-Skerritt logged 23 minutes and one rebound.

Looking ahead, the Thunderbirds now turn their attention to 2026 as they prepare to host the Waterloo Warriors in a back-to-back weekend series on January 5th and 6th. Both the men’s and women’s teams will look to kick off the new year with strong performances on home court.