Temiskaming Thunder X Downtown BIA 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament

Morgan Johanson
Jul 29, 2025
3 min read

On July 26, 2025, the Temiskaming Thunder took basketball to the streets for th

e first time ever — and the response exceeded all expectations.

In partnership with the Downtown New Liskeard BIA and as part of the Downtown Block Party, our inaugural Temiskaming Thunder 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament welcomed 17 teams, more than 80 athletes, and countless spectators for a full day of basketball, music, community, and summer fun in the heart of Downtown New Liskeard.

From the opening tip-off to the final championship game, Armstrong Street was buzzing with energy. Two outdoor courts kept the action going all day long while families enjoyed the many Block Party activities, local shopping, vendors, live entertainment, and everything downtown had to offer.

What made the event so special wasn't just the basketball — it was the way it brought people together. Youth athletes, former players, coaches, parents, and community members all shared the courts and sidelines, creating an atmosphere that celebrated both competition and community.

The tournament's reach extended well beyond Temiskaming. Teams and athletes traveled from surrounding communities including North Bay, Timmins, Ville-Marie, Kirkland Lake, Rouyn-Noranda, Englehart, Earlton, and communities throughout the region to take part. For some participants, it was their first time visiting New Liskeard.

One team from North Bay, made up of friends made in the OBA community, turned the tournament into a family weekend getaway — staying at the Waterfront Inn, dining at 28 on the Lake, and spending time exploring the area between games. What started as a basketball tournament quickly became a tourism experience, and they have already shared plans to make the trip an annual tradition.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/3b9975_d8df9f17dbe34d8091386e9d5b92a12a/720p/mp4/file.mp4

Video by: Dustin Phippen, DSYFilms (Instagram)

Stories like these highlight the growing impact of sport tourism in Temiskaming. Events such as the Thunder 3-on-3 Tournament not only bring athletes together but also introduce visitors to our restaurants, accommodations, local businesses, and everything that makes our region special. By bringing new visitors into our downtown core, the tournament helped showcase Temiskaming as a destination worth returning to long after the final buzzer sounded.

Of course, there was plenty of great basketball played throughout the day as teams battled for bragging rights and championship titles.

2025 Tournament Champions

U16 Girls – Be Like M.I.K.E.

🏆 Iman Ngota, Kina Haight, McKayla Haight, Emily Summerton

U19 & Adult Women – Granny Shots

🏆 Lorna Desmarais, Sophie Laroche, Becky Desmarais, Morgan Johanson

U16 Boys – Rainbow Rebounders

🏆 Alex Ayotte, Ashton Boudreault, Jack Phippen, Hudson Bayley

U19 & Adult Men – Hoopin' Hooligans

🏆 Nina Anderson, Lex Van Iperen, Camien Sharland

While the champions took home the hardware, every team helped make the inaugural event a success. The sportsmanship, enthusiasm, and support shown throughout the day demonstrated just how strong and connected the basketball community is across Northern Ontario and Western Quebec.

None of this would have been possible without the support of the Downtown New Liskeard BIA, the City of Temiskaming Shores, our volunteers, officials, sponsors, and the many parents, family members, and fans who came out to support the event.

Year one showed us what was possible when basketball and community come together. What started as an idea quickly became one of the highlights of the summer, and laid the foundation for what we hope becomes a long-standing Temiskaming tradition.

Thank you to everyone who helped make the first-ever Temiskaming Thunder 3-on-3 Tournament such a success.

We'll see you courtside next summer.