1940
In the Maritime finals, Yarmouth Academy (N.S.) defeated Woodstock High (N.B.) 26-25; 46-25 (Total: 72-50) to capture their third Maritime title in four years.
1941
In the finals, Ottawa St. Patrick defeated Catholic 9-8; 8-6 (Total: 17-14). Ostensibly advance to face Vancouver for the Dominion title.
1944
In the Maritime final, Sydney Academy defeated New Brunswick champion Rothesay Collegiate 40-35; 39-41 (Total:79-76). “A remarkable fighting spirit brought Sydney Academy the first Maritime Interscholastic basketball championship since the torrid 20’s at the Y.M.C.A. last night,” reported the Sydney Post Record on April 22, 1944. “Behind on the round score most of the night, the city hoop troupe marched into the throne room with a late spurt that gave them a 79-76 edge in the two-game round with the smooth Rothesay Collegiate squad.”
1945
In Maritime interscholastic final, defending champ Sydney Academy defeated Newcastle Harkins of New Brunswick 20-24 and 15-10 (Total: 35-34) as Ross Bannerman hit the winning bucket with eight seconds on the clock. Harkins shot 2-15 from the line. “They were all low-scoring games then,” said Gordon Mercer. “I think there was very close checking and certainly the boys weren’t as tall as what they are today. There was no slam dunking at that time because most of them didn’t hit the height of any better than 6’1”. Sydney Academy was coached by Pat Patterson, an Indiana native who owned a Coca-Cola plant in Cape Breton. He handed all players a sheet of paper that read: “Know the rules, don’t try to beat the rules. Take the referee’s decision as final, remember that he usually knows better than anybody else. Be courteous to opponents and officials. Be unselfishly loyal to your team, your school and your coach. Stick together, it pays every time.” The Sydney Academy hoopsters went on to win the next three Maritime boys basketball crowns, for a total of five consecutive Maritime titles.
The Maritime champ Sydney Academy: Harry Henderson; Jack MacLean; Dougie Woodill; Gordon MacCoy; Ross Bannerman; J.B. Rutherford; Mason MacDonald; Donnie Shaw; Gordon Fraser; Gordon (Moose) Mercer; Frank Mifflin; Donnie MacLeod; Al MacKinnon; coach Pat Patterson; manager Tommy Glover
1948
In the final, Glace Bay St. Anne’s defeated x.
1949
In the Maritime interscholastic final, Saint John High defeated Glace Bay St. Anne’s x-x; x-x (Total: x-x).