Nighthawks capture hoops title

The Northumberland Nighthawks varsity men’s basketball team went undefeated to win the first annual Northumberland New Year’s tournament last weekend.

The six-team tournament included teams from Cobequid Educational Centre, Cabot Education Centre, Avon View High School, Strait Area Education and Recreation Centre and Glace Bay High School.

The host Nighthawks powered back from a slow start to defeat the CEC junior varsity Cougars 95-76 in the opening game of the tournament on Saturday. Northumberland won its second game of the day against Cabot with a score of 96-60 to finish first in its pool, setting up a championship game matchup against top pool B finisher, Avon View.

The Nighthawks brought great energy to the court Sunday in a 96-57 victory to capture the title.

Raine DeCoste, Tyler Watters and Marcus MacLeod were named players of the game during tournament play and Waters, Derrick Cho and Brayden MacDonald received hustle awards. DeCoste was named defensive all-star for the Nighthawks and Glen Cox was tournament MVP.

“I’m very proud of how the boys played today,” said head coach Mark Stinson after the championship game.

Stinson said he hopes to grow the annual tournament and have 12 teams participate next year.

The Nighthawks travel to Windsor next weekend for a tournament hosted by Avon View.

HANNAH WARREN PHOTO The Northumberland Nighthawks varsity men captured the title at a tournament they hosted last weekend, the first annual Nighthawks New Year’s Basketball Tournament. In front, from left, are Álvaro Ortega, Lexter Rico, Jonah MacEachern and Brayden MacDonald. Back row, assistant coach Erik Nielsen, head coach Mark Stinson, Glen Cox, Raine DeCoste, Marcus MacLeod, Rhys Stevenson, Tyler Watters, Derrick Cho and assistant coach Steve MacLeod.