Did you know that London, Ont. has one of the top basketball teams in Canada?

In six years, Rob Angione has built a women's basketball program from scratch and turned it into a top-three team in Canada.

In six years, Rob Angione has built a women's basketball program from scratch and turned it into a top-three team in Canada.

It's just too bad that due to the pandemic, very few Londoners even know about the talent in their own backyard because spectators are not allowed in the gym at Regina Mundi Catholic High School.

"We're trying to be the best program in the country," said Angione, the founder of Southwest Basketball Academy (SBA).

"Part of that is having the best talent in the country and the best people in the country."

Those people include fourth-year power-five Division One NCAA recruits Lemyah Hylton (Mississauga, Ont.) and Shantavia Dawkins (Brampton, Ont.). The two of them came to London from the GTA as grade nine students.“The girls that have been here for the four years, we really set like a foundation that is like a sisterhood," says Dawkins. "So when we win games, it's not just another win, it's like a win with your sisters."

Hylton was heavily recruited and over the past few seasons has developed into one of the best guards in Canada, and a top-25 guard in North America, according to NCAA recruits.

"This is my second home and I do truly mean it's a family atmosphere," said Hylton. "Every single girl on this team is my sister and Rob is literally like a second dad to me."