Lens 15: A League Reimagined

Today, we’re highlighting one of the most exciting and successful leagues using SportsVisio. Big ups to Kendell Weins and the Southern Alberta Hoops Hub. Check out their story.

A League Reimagined

In the heart of Southern Alberta, a small group of basketball enthusiasts started playing pickup games in Spring 2022.

Initially, the Southern Alberta Hoops Hub League league was simply about camaraderie and a love for basketball. Players appreciated the tight-knit community and positive culture, but as the league grew, so did its ambitions.

Players were staying up late after games, manually tagging stats from game footage. While this enthusiasm was inspiring, it highlighted a glaring gap: how could the league provide professional-grade stats and highlights without sacrificing its grassroots charm or exceeding its budget?

Founder Kendell Weins explored options, including manual stat tracking and other software platforms, but the cost and complexity made these solutions impractical.

Kendell recalls being initially cautious about integrating stats from SportsVisio, concerned it might disrupt the league’s culture of sportsmanship. However, the opposite proved true—players embraced the new tools, adding a layer of engagement.

The impact of SportsVisio was immediate. What was once a Sunday evening activity evolved into a week-long experience. Players eagerly awaited their stats and highlights, refreshing the app throughout the week to see how they stacked up.

Kendell shared how players now dissect game footage in minutes, identifying patterns and brainstorming improvements—a process that used to take hours. The stats and highlights also sparked conversations, with players celebrating achievements like rebounds, scoring efficiency, or hustle plays that might have gone unnoticed without detailed data.

Even casual observers were impressed.

The league’s podcast also gained fresh content, as hosts discussed stats, league leaders, and draft strategies.

Kendell’s initial concern about stats overshadowing sportsmanship proved unfounded.

Instead, the data amplified the league’s sense of community. Players engaged more deeply with the game and each other, exchanging messages about standout performances and gearing up for the next matchup.

The league is already dreaming bigger. Players are excited about new features like badges for achievements (double-doubles, 20+ rebounds), all-time leaderboards, and advanced analytics like shot charts and plus/minus stats.

What began as a small group of friends playing pickup basketball has become a model for recreational leagues everywhere, showing how technology can elevate the game without losing sight of what makes it special: community.

For Southern Alberta Hoops Hub League, SportsVisio has turned a little-known local league into a basketball experience players and fans can’t stop talking about—and the best is yet to come.

Player Spotlights

So many great performances in Southern Alberta last season. Here are some top players.