The Nepean Bluedevils U13 AAA boys showed heart and hustle this weekend, going toe-to-toe with two strong opponents in a pair of tightly contested EOBA matchups.
In their first game against ONL AAA, the Bluedevils fell 56-43 but put up an impressive defensive effort, holding ONL under 60 points. Chris was the standout, nearly recording a rare triple-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 steals - a true two-way performance that set the tone for the team. Despite ONL's early 9-0 and 8-1 runs, the Bluedevils fought back hard and won the rebounding battle 37-29. Kia's relentless play earned him 14 trips to the free throw line, where he converted 9, helping the team stay within striking distance. The squad tallied 19 steals overall, showing just how disruptive their defense can be when locked in.
Game two against Belleville was a thriller from start to finish, with the Bluedevils narrowly falling 68-66 in one of their best offensive showings of the season. Niko registered his first start. The team shot an impressive 54% from the field and connected on 30% of their three-pointers, showing confidence and rhythm on offense. Anson stepped up with a monster game - 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals - while the team as a whole shared the ball beautifully, recording 13 assists on 29 made baskets. Nepean also tightened up their ball control, cutting turnovers down to just 11, and went on two big scoring runs (7-0 and 9-0) that kept the crowd on its feet.
Though the weekend ended with two close losses, the Bluedevils demonstrated growth, resilience, and team chemistry. Their defense remains a strength, their offensive efficiency is climbing, and their commitment to each other continues to shine. With continued effort and focus, the Bluedevils look poised to turn these narrow battles into victories in the games ahead.