Final regular season standings (8): Cambrian (12-2); St. Lawrence-Kingston (9-5); Sault (9-5); Durham (9-5); Canadore (7-7); Sir Sandford Fleming-Peterborough (7-7); Georgian (3-11); Loyalist (0-14)
Playoff non-qualifiers:
Canadore Panthers: Mark Laronde, Vince Scott, Anthony Coccimiglio, Pat Geoffroy, Ken Sonnenburg, Lionel Cross, Rodney Dunn, Larry Sartoretto, Robert Roy, Dana Sawyer, Martin Riopel, Marc Bouchard, Gary Welsey, Ron Vaillancourt and Rob Davis.
Georgian Grizzlies: Bernie Alvarez, Rob Eller, John Altieri, Kevin Lepage, Eric Vanweesenbeck, Sean Fahey, Dave Yowart, Dino Celleti, Rob Edwards, Dave Cooper and Bruce Wilson.
Loyalist Lancers: Mike Dingsdale, Kevin Tinsley, Tom Cabral, Kevin Kea, Currie Matthews, Mark Ewart, Ken Brooks, Fernando Fernandes, Neil Sedgwick, Rick Smith, David Smith, Craig Robinson, Kelly Balson, Brent Nowlan and Rob Houston.
Sir Sandford Fleming-Peterborough Knights: David Harris, Tim Stoop, Jim Shubat, Todd Selvage, Stephen Elliot, Rob Arsenault, Chris Fowlie, Shawn Arney, Peter Villeneuve and Nelles Govis.
In the challenge match, the Durham Lords defeated the Lambton Lions (who played an independent schedule but were entitled to “challenge” the division’s fourth-place finisher for a berth at the provincial tournament) 82-64. Lord Rob Devlin was lost to the team after re-injuring his knee in a battle for a rebound.
In the semis, John Besselink scored 18 to lead the St. Lawrence-Kingston Vikings past the Sault Cougars 85-57. “I think what happened is that they were looking right by us because they beat Cambrian at home (a week earlier). Tonight, they had no bench, and we did, even with only two guys (in reserve),” said co-coach Vikings Chris Price. The Vikings trailed 17-10 early. Then Johnston hit four treys and Besselink added another and it was all but game over for Sault. Craig Johnston paced the Vikings with 20, including four treys in the first half. John Besselink added 18, Steve Veenstra 15 and Randy Lambert 14. The Vikings led 48-32 at the half. Dan Jodoin led Sault with 20. Mario Scarpino added 16 and Mark McQuabbie 11.
In the other semi, the Cambrian Golden Shield rallied late to edge the Durham Lords 88-83. Lords assistant Ernie Rainbow said Durham “played an excellent game of basketball (but) when five of our players fouled out that really hurt us.” Cambrian hit six treys in the first half, after which they led 52-48. Paul Doucet led the Lords with 31. Anthony Fitzpatrick added 17 and Harry Sillen 12. Fitzpatrick said “the loss of the five players game Cambrian an advantage in numbers to run us ragged.” The Chronicle reported that no fouls were called against Cambrian.
In the bronze medal match, the Sault Cougars defeated the Durham Lords 76-66. The Lords (coached by Dick Cutler, assisted by Ernie Rainbow and managed by Bill van Boxtill) included Marty Frenette, Anthony Fitzpatrick, John Wells, Harry Sillen, Derek Hearon, Paul Doucet, Rob Devlin, Tony Wind, Chris Hearon, Gary Watson, Tony Arruda, Richard White, Rob Burnett, Greg Murphy and Devon Kenlock.
In the final, the St. Lawrence-Kingston Vikings handed the host Cambrian Golden Shield their first home loss in two years and captured their second consecutive title with a 78-58 win. “We continued to play great D, just as well as we did last year,” coach Ted Batchelor told the Kingston Whig-Standard. “Our offence has really come together in the last month. Last year, we didn’t play team basketball but this year we did. The people on the team got to know each other very well.” The Vikings fell behind 6-2 and appeared doomed as starting forwards Randy Lambert and Steve Veenstra each picked up three fouls in the first half. “We had to go with three guards in the lineup and had to rely on (reserve forward) Bruce Allen to do a job for us,” said Batchelor. “He got some good boards and some buckets (six points) as well.” The Vikings took the lead for good with nine minutes to play in the half when Craig Johnston nailed one of his four treys. They led 34-29 at the break. Randy Lambert and Steve Veenstra started the second half and the Vikings soon put the outcome out of reach. They opened with a 6-0 run and never looked back. “From that point on we were fairly confident,” Batchelor said. “We took a chance but Randy and Steve are probably two of the smartest players in the league. If there’s anybody who happens to have three fouls you hope it’s them because they’re both fairly disciplined. It paid off because we came out fired up. We knew we hadn’t played well but we still had the lead.” Craig Johnston scored 15 for the Vikings. Steve Veenstra added 11, Mike Maschi 10, Randy Lambert 8, and John Besselink 6. Guy Fillion paced Cambrian with 21. Stuart Fairwell added 14, while John Tymchuk, who averaged 18 during the regular season, scored 9. “Their offence is predicated around Tymchuk,” Batchelor said. “Maschi, Allen and Lambert fronted him. Randy got the MVP because of his defence more than anything. Tymchuck not only scores but he passes well. They post him low then he kicks it back out for three pointers. Our whole game plan was predicated on make sure Tymchuk didn’t get the ball.”
The bronze medalist Sault Cougars: Mario Scarpino; Dan Jodoin; Mark McQuabbie; Keith Mosher; Rick Warkentin; Frank Raimandi; Jorma Tekoniemi; Dave Landon; Harold Hosken; Mike French; Robert Findlay; Karl Toulouse; Craig Naylor; Marchie Cuglietta; Dwain Newham; Roch Villeneuve;
The silver medalist Cambrian Golden Shield: John Tymchuk; Guy Fillion; Stuart Fairwell; Gilles Philion; Dan Mulvihill; Mike Huard; Jean-Marc Lachance; Ricco Cassin; Brent Cain; Royal Labelle; McGregor Saunders; Alberto Certossi; coach Mike Mulvihill
The gold medalist St. Lawrence-Kingston Vikings: Randy Lambert; Steve Veenstra; Craig Johnston; Bruce Allen; Mike Maschi; John Besselink; Andrew Harris; Derek Taylor; Robert Hayden; Peter Coleman; Ken Badour; Ron Peeters; Tod Atkins; Rob Worthy; Mark Young; Peter Robb; coach Ted Batchelor; assistant Chris Price