The NBIAAA conducts a reclassification: AAA schools are those with an enrolment over 1000. AA schools with an enrolment between 400-999. ‘A’ schools have an enrolment below 400. The AAA replaces the former ‘L’ division.
In the quarterfinals, the 3rd-seeded Moncton Harrison Trimble Trojans clipped the 6th-seeded Miramichi James J. Hill Memorial Tommies 59-46 as Forbes scored 18, McPhee 15, Nichols 9, McNally 9, Doucet 7 and Smith 2. Junior Mclegnahan led the Tommies with 15. Daryl Lasson added 13, Daryl Martin 7, Bill Carr 4, Ian Fleiger 3, Joe Brennan 2 and Henry Hocksma 2.
In the other quarterfinal, the 5th-seeded Moncton Purple Knights clocked the 4th-seeded Saint John Vocational Vultures 65-27 as Bohan scored 14, Sullivan 12, Miller 10, McConell 8, Surrette 8, Galbraith 6, Kelly 6 and Shea 2. Wayne Eatman led the Vultures with 11.
In the semis, the top-seeded Fredericton Black Kats clubbed the 4th-seeded Moncton Purple Knights 64-31 as Fagan scored 22, McCormick 16, Florean 11. Dobbelsteyn 4, DeLong 3, Whalen 2, Dolan 2, MacNeil 2 and Keeling 2. Sullivan led the Purple Knights with 13. Bohan added 9, Surrette 4, MacNeil 3, McConnell 1 and Miller 1.
In the other semi, the 3rd-seeded Moncton Harrison Trimble Trojans nipped the 2nd-seeded Saint John Milledgeville North Stars 47-45 on a pair of free throws by McNally with 17 seconds to play. Nichols led the Trojans with 12. McNally added 11, McPhee 8, Duquette 7, Forbes 4, Fullerton 3 and Smith 2. Collier led the North Stars witt 14. MacDonald added 8, Legassick 7, Rocca 6, King 5 and Ross 5.
In the final, the top-seeded Fredericton Black Kats finished (35-0) on the season with an 59-42 win over the 3rd-seeded Moncton Harrison Trimble Trojans as Fagan scored 18, McCormack 10, Florean 10, Jardine 8, Keeling 7, Dobbesteyn 4, Dolan 1 and McNeil 1. The Black Kats led 34-25 at the half. They hit 11-21 from the line, while the Trojans were 18-28. Black Kats coach Rick Cotter told the Saint John Telegraph-Journal that “our bench strength was a key factor. The referees wouldn’t let us play ball. It was one whistle after another. So we went to the bench and it did the job. … We really test our boys. We put them through tough physical training. And they respond well. They really work hard. I think it’s pride. They work like the devil.” On the season, 28 of the Black Kats victories were against New Brunswick competition, seven against teams from Maine. Forbes led the Trojans with 20. McPhee added 8, Mcnally 7, Nichols 6 and Smith 1.
The co-bronze medalist Moncton Purple Knights: Carey Bohan; Tom Sullivan; Terry Miller; Norval McConnell; Fred Surrette; Pat Galbraith; Gary Kelly; Danny Shea;
The co-bronze medalist Saint John Milledgeville North Stars: Paul Collier; MacDonald; Legassick; Rocca; King; Ross;
The silver medalist Moncton Harrison Trimble Trojans: Dave Forbes; Al McPhee; Dale Nichols; Steve McNally; Dan Doucet; Chris Smith; Eric Fullerton;; Sheldon Martin;
The champion Fredericton Black Kats: Gary Keeling; Whalen; Ron MacNeil; Bruce McCormack; Bob Fagan; Terry Dolan; John Clarke; Matt Graye; Larry DeLong; Dave Dobbelsteyn; Paul Jardine; Luigi Florean; Brian Scott; coach Rick Cotter; manager Mark Dunlay; manager John Hughes