Temiskaming Thunder Team Behind the Team

Introducing Morgan born and raised in Englehart, she developed a passion for sports early on, competing in OFSAA for Basketball, Volleyball, and Track and Field during her time at Englehart High School. Eager to pursue her academic interests, Morgan moved to London, Ontario, to complete an Honours Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Digital Marketing. During her time in London, Morgan worked with the Fanshawe Men's Basketball program for four years. This experience allowed her to develop invaluable skills in coaching and team management. Morgan's ambition led her to explore new opportunities in the realm of high-performance sports. She joined the Canadian Olympic Committee athlete wellness Program Game Plan, where she for two years gaining valuable experience working with non-profits, National and Provincial sport organizations, and understanding the intricacies of the sports world at the highest level. Fuelled by her passion for technology, Morgan eventually transitioned to a role in the tech industry. This allowed her to return to her roots in Temiskaming Shores, where she could continue coaching and volunteering in her community. For the past four years, Morgan has been coaching Junior Girls basketball and Senior Boys basketball at former rival school TDSS (Timiskaming District Secondary School). Her dedication to the young athletes extends beyond the school environment, as she volunteers with youth league basketball and actively supports various local recreational activities.

Meet Lorna, a true New Liskeard local. From a young age, Lorna's heart was set on sports, excelling in basketball and volleyball during her unforgettable five years at TDSS. After graduation, she ventured to Guelph University, where she played varsity volleyball for two years, but her love for basketball remained unmatched. Graduating with an Honors Degree in Human Kinetics in 2000 she moved back home where she has been making a difference in our Northern Ontario comunities working as a Public Health Promoter at the Timiskaming Health Unit for over two decades. When it comes to basketball, Lorna is a true competitor. For more than 20 seasons, she's been a key member of the Active One Source for Sports Ladies Basketball League, taking on the role of President for the past 9 years. And let's not forget, she's still lacing up her sneakers and hitting the court each week, proving that her passion for the game is stronger than ever. But Lorna's dedication doesn't stop there. She's thrilled to be back at TDSS, giving back to the community by coaching both the senior girls and junior boys basketball teams. Her support for the TDSS Youth League basketball program is constant as well as truly making an impact on the students who have had the opporunity to be coached by her. Beyond the basketball court, Lorna is the Vice President of the Tri Town Ski and Snowboard Village. When winter comes, you'll find her on the slopes, sharing her expertise and joy for skiing with children of all ages. Her love for the game of basketball spreads to her own family, as her two teenage daughters share her passion for the sport. They're both eager to be part of the first-ever Temiskaming Thunder teams. Not to mention their at home basketball court makes for some competitive family game nights. Lorna's commitment to sports, her community, and the next generation of athletes is inspirational. New Liskeard is lucky to have such a dedicated and spirited individual leading the way!

Introducing Coach Lex, a dedicated basketball enthusiast with an impressive journey from Woodstock, Ontario, to Northern Ontario. Lex played OBA rep basketball with the Oxford Attack and Woodstock Chill for 4 years from grades 9-12 earning multiple Gold, Silver and bronze medals. During his grade 13 year, Lex moved to Englehart with his family to a dairy and cash crop farm where he made his mark in high school sports, attending OFSAA with his team. Standing tall at 6'7", Lex was a commanding presence on the basketball court, catching the attention of all who watched him play. A true competitor and a dominant force in the post, he consistently earned MVP titles at various tournaments he participated in. Heavily recruited by the Laurentian Men's Basketball program, Lex played two successful years as a center while pursuing a degree in Economics. Continuing his basketball career, Lex transitioned to Fanshawe College, becoming a key player and starter for the Falcon's Men's Basketball team for two years. His passion for the game was evident in the countless hours he devoted to early-morning training sessions and late-night practices. Lex's relentless work ethic and commitment to honing his skills paved the way for his success as a player and eventually as a dedicated coach. With extensive experience in both the OUA and OCAA leagues, Lex's competitive spirit and talent made him a formidable force on the court. After graduating with a Diploma in Business, Coach Lex returned to Northern Ontario, where he found his true calling in coaching. He generously dedicated his time to mentor and train aspiring post-secondary basketball players from the region, nurturing their skills and potential. In addition to coaching at EHS and TDSS high school basketball teams, Lex's passion for developing talent shines through as he commits countless hours to training Northern Ontario students in pursuit of their dreams. With a wealth of experience and a genuine love for the sport, Coach Lex brings a unique perspective and a commitment to excellence in helping athletes reach their full potential on and off the court. The Temiskaming Thunder is proud to have Coach Lex as a driving force behind our mission to inspire and empower the next generation of basketball stars.

For over three decades, Susi Johanson has been an integral part of the local basketball scene, leaving a lasting impact as both a devoted coach and educator. Born and raised in New Liskeard, Susi Johanson moved back North after completing her bachelor of History from Western University and Teachers College from McGill in Montreal. Throughout her teaching career, she passionately coached both girls and boys basketball teams, channeling her dedication to nurturing young talents. As one of the founding members of the youth league basketball in Englehart, Susi played a vital role in providing countless youngsters with their first taste of the sport, creating opportunities for them to embrace basketball at an early age. Her teams consistently excelled in league and tournament play, often achieving remarkable success against larger schools. Even as she assumed leadership roles as a vice-principal and later as a principal at TDSS and EHS, Susi's passion for coaching remained unwavering. Guiding her teams to OFSAA qualifications and assisting players in advancing to varsity-level basketball, she became a beacon of support and mentorship. Susi was also the recipient of the OFSSA Leadership award for her dedication and commitment as a basketball coach. Beyond wins and losses, Susi's genuine concern for her athletes' overall development shone through, fostering their growth both on and off the court. Dreaming of establishing a rep team in the area, she envisions providing opportunities for athletes to continue honing their skills during the off-season. With boundless enthusiasm, Susi eagerly looks forward to sharing her love for the sport and inspiring the youth in the local community.

Anita's journey began in Sudbury, where she attended Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School and actively participated as a core member of the volleyball, basketball, and track & field teams. After graduating, her talent was recognized, and she was recruited to join Laurentian University's women's basketball program, where she spent a year as part of the Lady Vees. Later, Anita made a pivotal change and became a part of the McMaster University women's volleyball team. She spent three impactful years there and excelled, earning the title of team MVP in her final year. Graduating with honors, she achieved a Bachelor of Physical Education. Her passion for teaching led her to complete a Bachelor of Education at the University of Western Ontario, and soon after, she embarked on her teaching career in Moosonee, marking the beginning of her impressive 30-year coaching journey. After two years in Moosonee, she transitioned to Englehart High School, where she not only excelled as an educator but also took on several significant roles, including being the head of the Physical Education department and serving as the OFSAA representative and Secretary for the North Eastern Ontario Athletic Association for many years. Throughout her career, Anita's true passion has always been coaching. With over 30 years of coaching experience, she has led numerous teams and individuals to provincial championships in basketball, volleyball, and track & field. Her mentorship has been instrumental in helping countless athletes achieve their goals in sports at the post-secondary level. Beyond her dedication to her school and coaching, Anita is committed to serving her community. She has generously volunteered her time to organize youth league programs and has actively supported Minor Hockey initiatives, making a lasting impact on the lives of young athletes and sports enthusiasts.

Meet Jon Maga, a dedicated teacher and passionate basketball coach currently serving at Timiskaming District Secondary School. Originally from Hamilton, Ontario, Jon's love for basketball began early, as he actively participated in rep basketball for the Blessed Sacrament Basketball Club, achieving a remarkable victory in the U18 Provincial Championship. During his high school years at Cathedral High School, Jon's skills and determination earned him a prestigious silver medal at the AAA OFSAA Basketball Championship. With an impressive background in basketball, Jon has amassed over 20 years of experience working with youth basketball camps and coaching aspiring players. Jon takes on the responsibility of running the Youth League basketball program. With his extensive experience in coaching and organizing basketball events, Jon brings a wealth of expertise to this role. The Youth League program at TDSS serves as a crucial platform for aspiring young athletes to hone their skills, develop a passion for the game, and foster a sense of teamwork and healthy competition. Jon's commitment to nurturing talent and promoting sportsmanship in Northern Ontario ensures that each participant receives valuable guidance and support throughout their journey in the program. Through his leadership, the Youth League program at TDSS continues to flourish, inspiring a new generation of basketball enthusiasts Beyond his professional endeavors, Jon takes great pride in being a devoted husband and a loving father to four children. Jon's family is truly a basketball-loving clan, where the passion for the sport runs deep. Besides being a dedicated teacher and coach himself, Jon is excited to share the court with his talented family members. Their four children have clearly inherited a love for sports between hockey, basketball, gymnastics and skiing which keeps their family busy during every season. Even at a young age each of them has shown exceptional promise and talent in sport. Whether they're engaging in friendly driveway competitions or supporting each other at school games sports plays a big role in the Maga family. His commitment to both education and the sport has left a lasting impact on the lives of those he teaches and coaches, fostering growth, skill development, and a love for the game.

Logan Parker is an Englehart resident and an alumni of Englehart High School. He began his basketball experience at a young age travelling to Sudbury and North Bay to participate in Ontario Basketball’s Summer Development programs and the Centre for Performance training. He played a season of rep basketball for the U19 North Bay Spartans where he and his team won a gold medal at the OBA cup. Logan contributes his worth ethic on a off the court to his dedication to being a multi-sport athlete throughout his high school career. He has been and continues to be an active member in his community by volunteering with a variety of sports including youth baseball, youth volleyball and youth basketball clinics. This spring Logan will be completing a two-year diploma program in Recreation and Leisure Services from Canadore College. His hopes are to return to Canadore to complete a fast-track program in Strength and Sport Conditioning in the fall of 2024. While attending Canadore Logan has continued to follow his passion for basketball by playing two years of varsity basketball for the Canadore Panthers. Logan is looking forward to the opportunity to share his knowledge and experiences as an athlete with the Temiskaming Thunder program.

Hannah, an alumna of Englehart High School, has been passionate about sports since childhood. She excelled in athletics, competing at the OFSAA Single 'A' level in volleyball and making two appearances in OFSAA basketball. In her final year of high school, she played for an OBA club team. During her time at Queen's University, Hannah was a dedicated member of the varsity equestrian team for four years while earning her degree in Biological Science. After graduating, Hannah returned to Northern Ontario, where she worked as a Mental Health Counsellor for the CMHA. She has since transitioned into a new career path, pursuing a Master’s degree in Education. Residing in New Liskeard, she now works at District School Board North East (DSBONE), where she channels her passion for athletics and education into her role. Basketball remains one of Hannah's favorite sports, and she is committed to helping young athletes develop their skills and love for the game. Outside of sports, Hannah enjoys spending time with animals, traveling, and cooking.

Jill is a lifelong resident of Englehart, where she is currently living and raising her family. With a deep-rooted passion for sports, Jill has dedicated several years to coaching basketball and track and field at both the youth league and high school levels. Her coaching experience spans across schools in New Liskeard at TDSS and Englehart at EHS, where she has positively impacted countless young athletes. In addition to her coaching roles, Jill serves as an Educator and balances her professional responsibilities with her role as a full-time mother of two daughters. Despite her busy schedule, she continues to nurture her love for basketball by actively participating in the ladies' league in New Liskeard, where she relishes the opportunity to play on the court. Beyond basketball, Jill is also deeply involved in aquatics, further showcasing her commitment to promoting healthy, active lifestyles in her community. She is enthusiastic about the exciting opportunities that the Temiskaming Thunder basketball program will bring to the area and looks forward to contributing to its growth and success.