Shelburne Rebels win provincial basketball championship
The Shelburne Regional High School gym was rocking on April 10 as a capacity crowd cheered on the hometown Rebels to a gold medal provincial win.
The Rebels defeated Hants North 68-56 to capture the Nova Scotia School Sport Division 3 Basketball Championship. The Rebels had been seeded second going into the eight-team tournament, while Hants North was the number one seed.
The Rebels opened the tournament with a 76-54 win over River Herbert, advancing to semi-final action against Sacred Heart, winning that tilt 77-68 to advance to the championship game.
Hants North opened with a 71-50 win over the Cape Breton Highlands, then defeated Annapolis West Education Centre 74-48 in semi-final action to advance to the title tip-off.
“Our team played absolutely amazing every game,” said Shelburne Coach Darren Jacklin. “Full of intent full of competition, our boys played with poise. I’m so proud of them.”
Coming out of COVID and being able to play a little bit during the season made the win even more satisfying, said Jacklin. “Last year we didn’t have provincials," he said.
Jonah Demings led the Rebels with 20 points in the championship game with the rest of the score pretty evenly distributed between the other players.
“We play as a team. We share the wealth. There could be a different leading scorer every game really,” said Jacklin.
The provincial championship was celebrated with an impromptu parade through
town following the game, which was led by a fire truck driven by assistant coach Mike Shand, who is also a volunteer firefighter.
People were out cheering, said Jacklin.
“I’m very proud of our community for all the amazing support,” Jacklin said. “The whole town in general with signs and support. It was amazing. I give a lot of credit to John Huskilson who organized the whole thing
and Jody MacMaster and Sarah Acker who really came through and organized our pep rally. It was the best pep rally we’ve had.”
"MacMaster, who is team manager also kept me focused on the organizational stuff throughout the year," said Jacklin. “It was a full team effort. It was great to see.”
Shelburne last won the Division 3 provincial championship in 2011-12 and 2012-13 school years.