This section is Presented
This section was produced by the editorial department. The client was not given the opportunity to put restrictions on the content or review it prior to publication.
by Auto Depot 
Breadcrumb Trail Links
Joey Puddister and company rebound from tough loss on Friday to defeat Montreal Toundra on Saturday, then fall in OT on Sunday
Published Mar 09, 2026 • 3 minute read
AJ Davis, middle, of the Sudbury Five drives to the basket during basketball action against the Newfoundland Rogues at the Sudbury Community Arena in Sudbury, Ont. on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. Photo by John Lappa /The Sudbury StarArticle content
Joey Puddister would have preferred to return home with at least two of three wins and sole possession of first place in the Basketball Super League, but the Sudbury Five’s head coach couldn’t complain about his team’s effort level over a gruelling three-in-three road trip to Montreal this past weekend.
Advertisement 2
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
After a tough 105-86 loss to the host Toundra on Friday, the Five rebounded with a 109-98 victory at Centre Pierre Charbonneau on Saturday. They then pushed the rubber match to overtime on Sunday, after trailing for most of the contest, before dropping a 102-99 decision.
Article content
Article content
“I’m very proud of the way we are able to make adjustments and battle after difficult losses,” Puddister told The Sudbury Star after Sunday’s game. “We band together in tough times and come out stronger on the other side.”
With a record of 14-6, Sudbury now shares first place in the BSL with Montreal, which had won no fewer than 10 straight games before falling to the Five on Saturday evening.
“They are very well coached, play hard and rebound,” Puddister said of the Toundra. “We need to match their intensity on the glass and play our game.”
Advertisement 3
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
Big man AJ Davis was a standout for the Five in Sunday’s contest, pouring in a team-high 29 points and pulling down eight rebounds. Sudbury guard Charlie Marquardt had 21 points and 10 boards of his own, while DeVante Jamison added 17 points, Duane Notice 10, Allen Billinger nine and Montreal native Nervens Demosthene seven for the visitors.
“It’s a battle for our bigger-minute guys — both mentality and physically,” Puddister said of the taxing trip to La Belle Province. “We have an incredible staff of physio and massage therapists that do a great job making sure our guys are prepared for the toll that three games takes.
“Our bench stepped up huge this weekend and we were able to keep the minutes a little more balanced.”
Advertisement 4
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
In addition to the likes of Jamison, whose contributions off the bench typically land the fleet-footed point guard in double digits for scoring in seven of his last nine outings, Puddister was particularly pleased with Demosthene, who totalled 13 points in 23 minutes of court time in his hometown on Saturday, then added seven more over 30 minutes on Sunday.
“Nervens was great,” Puddister said. “He’s a guy that you talk about being a star in his role. He did that this weekend at home in Montreal in front of his friends and family.”
The defending BSL champions will surely need such steady play from athletes up and down the lineup if they hope to make another run at the Super Lillie trophy this spring.
“Just staying consistent through the ups and downs that come in quarters, games, weeks and the season overall,” Puddister said.
Advertisement 5
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
After such a busy stretch, Sudbury’s bench boss will be happy to let his players have a bit of a rest this coming week. Their tilt against the Lake Erie Jackals in Sudbury this coming Saturday will be their only game in a 10-day span, with a visit to the KW Titans the following Thursday, March 19.
“We’re always trying to see how to we can better,” Puddister said. “Guys are diligent about being in the weight room, yoga and getting treatment to get their bodies prepared. On court, we’re addressing our mistakes and working on them everyday.
“It’s a bit of a tough road trip, but we will grow from it and come out better on the other side.”
Article content
Share this article in your social network