Remember the A's
- Dec 12, 2019
- 2 min read
For four seasons they were a staple of the NBL Canada and were a franchise that had a number of league stars playing in their uniform. The Brampton and later Orangeville A's were the longest-serving NBLC team who are no longer active.
Along with the Ottawa SkyHawks, the A's were one of two expansion teams introduced in the 2013-14 season, setting up shop in one of Ontario's biggest sports venues, with David Magley tasked with putting together a contentious team from scratch.
Their inaugural roster included future league mainstays Flenard Whitfield (making his NBLC debut), Rick Bodiford and Cavell Johnson, who would go on to lead the league in blocks per game that season (1.7) and was twice named player of the week. Magley himself was awarded the November Coach of the Month prize as he led Brampton to an impressive 27-13 regular season record.
Finishing second in the Central Division, the A's would go on to take the London Lightning to a game-five decider in the first round of the playoffs, but their neighbours would be the prevailing side, moving on to the next round.
Brampton rebounded in their second season big time. Once again finishing the regular season in second place in their division, they faced familiar foes in the playoffs, the London Lightning. This time, though, they defeated London in five games and advanced to the division finals, coming within one game of the finals, which was won by eventual champions Windsor Express.
The 2015-16 season brought about a lot of changes for the team: Cavell Johnson departed, as did Magley, who handed over his coaching duties to Chris Thomas. Most significantly, the team bade farewell to Brampton, moving to the Athletic Institute in Orangeville, becoming the Orangeville A's.
The move to south-central Ontario did not seem to do the team any favours: in their new home and under new stewardship, they finished with the joint-worst record in the league (14-26) and were swept in the playoffs by London.
The following season, with a new-look roster and Brendon Lesovsky at the helm, the A's fared slightly better with a 16-24 record at the end of the regular season. A new addition, Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson, would end as the league's steals leader and was voted Defensive Player of the Year. In addition, Justin Moss, Stefan Nastic and Jameson Tipping all won Player of the Week awards.
Even so, the rest of the NBLC made short work of the team, and though they made the playoffs, it saw them once again swept by the Lightning.
Two disappointing seasons on the bounce were met with equally disappointing attendance numbers. With interest in the team dwindling, ownership made an important and sad decision: at the end of the 2015-16 season, the A's were no more. The gap in the Central Division left by Orangeville's exit was filled by the KW Titans, who began playing in 2016.
Given the team's results and the talent who suited up for them during their time in the league, the fact that they are no longer playing is a sad one, but they have left a lasting mark and legacy on the NBL Canada.
Picture: Paul Grottoli
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