BATTLE IN BRUNSWICK

Written by Andrew Sharpe

* Player evaluations follow

New Brunswick basketball fans got an early Christmas gift this weekend, as three of the top boys high school teams in the Maritimes met for a little round robin.

Rothesay Netherwood is a prep school playing out of, you guessed it, Rothesay, NB, near Saint John.  They participate in the National Preparatory Association (NPA), and play against the top high school-age teams in Canada.

Citadel High is a public school in Halifax, NS, playing in the School Sport Nova Scotia D1 division.  They finished second in last season’s SSNS championship, but are widely considered the favourite this season.  

You can read our full profile of The Phoenix at https://www.themapleminute.com/post/the-best-high-school-boys-basketball-team-in-atlantic-canada

Fredericton High School is the third participant, another public school, playing in the School Sport New Brunswick AAA West conference.  The reigning provincial champion, they are also coming off a gold medal win at the Crandall University Hoop Classic in Moncton, the biggest high school tournament in the Maritimes.  

So it was a battle of three titans meeting each other for the first time this season, to lay rest the argument of who’s the best high school team in the Maritimes.

GAME 1

Full crowd for this one, including rapper and actor Maestro Fresh Wes, and more than one college coach scouting new talent.  The excitement around Citadel is well-deserved; everyone is wondering if a public school can truly compete with a well-established prep program like RNS.

It took three quarters to decide, but the Riverhawks reminded us there are levels to this sport, as they pulled ahead in the second half to beat Citadel 104-89, though this was certainly a competitive and exciting game.

GAME 2

RNS dominated the Sunday morning rematch, easily winning 95-80, using largely bench players, with Assistant Coach Anthony Anderson (yes, THAT Anthony Anderson) running the show.

Citadel were lethargic and largely disinterested, while the RNS bench were hungry and determined.  A fourth-quarter run was all Citadel could muster, but it wasn’t nearly enough to make this a game.

The difference between RNS and public schools was quite palpable in these two games, particularly in the way they run sets with deliberate, purposeful movements that were clearly orchestrated.  They have great energy from the court and the bench, and it doesn’t hurt that they have a loud, supportive student section.

Conversely, Citadel, accustomed to simply out-athleting teams, largely plays an Open Gym style of 5-out, swinging the ball around until they find an advantage to attack, or, when they get frustrated, resorting to hero ball style early threes without a paint touch.  When it works, they cook.  But against a disciplined team like RNS, the cracks showed.

GAME 3

Citadel travelled to Fredericton High School for the third and final game, where they reestablished dominance, eventually pulling out a 122-113 win after allowing the home team to bring the score back from a 20-point deficit.

This game featured arguably the two best high school players in the Maritimes: FHS’ Teddy Worley (2026), a UVic commit, and Citadel’s Amari Upshaw (2027).  What a treat to watch the two go at each other, as both took turns taking over the game.

Travaris Carvery (2026) both won and nearly lost this game.  Completely in his bag with spins, threes, and floaters, Carvery was dominant until being ejected for an ill-advised second technical for taunting.

FHS fans know you never poke the Teddy bear, because Worley responded by putting the Black Kats on his back, to the tune of a 31-point second half, a challenge for the scoresheet writer, who struggled to find room to note them all.

Citadel showed some mental toughness in this one.  Playing their third game in two days, they buckled down and got it done.  They remain the favourites in NS D1.

RNS PLAYERS

Halifax native and former Armbrae Academy player, 6'1” G Elijah Mantley (2028) led RNS with 28 points in game 1.  Mantley is a three-level scorer with amazing quickness, high compete, and pogo hops.  Crazy to think he’s 2028.

From Kitchener, ON, 6'7” F Kareem Aljaibat (2026) had 20 points for RNS in game one, and 19 in game two.  Kareem is a long, lanky, exciting player who dunks everything and lets you know about it.

Another Nova Scotian, New Waterford’s 6’3” SG Cohen McDonald (2027) is really one to watch.  His high-energy defense and cyborg shooting form are something to see, and his 205 lb frame is college-ready.

Elijah, Kareem, and Coen are the noticeable standouts for RNS, and really move the needle for them.  Expect some American attention for these three, and any USports team that gets them will be happy.

CITADEL PLAYERS

For Citadel, 6'5” G and U17 Team Canada member, Amari Upshaw (2027), from Halifax, had 19, 18, and 20 points to lead his team in all three games.  Perhaps Upshaw’s most impressive talent is knowing when to get a bucket and when to involve his teammates.  If he can get his academics in order, the sky’s the limit for this kid. 

6'1" G Travarius Carvery (2026) used his trademark floaters, spins, and logo threes to add 14, 7, and 18 points.  His bulky frame makes him a tough cover at the guard position.  If he can learn to play disciplined, he could be a very nice get at the USports level.

6'1” PG Harrison Norman (2026) provided his usual all-around game, adding 13, 15 and 13 high percentage points on intelligent shot selection.  Norman is a pesky defender, sticking his nose in every possession with tips and touches.  His high IQ and even temperament serve this team well, as they will his college team.

Long and lanky 6'6” F Zi’aez Allison (2028) continues to steal minutes on a talented team of seniors.  He had 16, 5, and 16 points, most at the rim, off hard-earned offensive rebounds.  This is one to watch.

FHS PLAYERS

At this point, 6’5” Teddy Worley (2026) is a man among boys when it comes to high school basketball, scoring at will, to the tune of 36 points in this one.  We look forward to seeing what he can do at UVic.

6’2” Eric Desaulniers (2026) provided 26 points for the Black Kats.  Desaulniers is a Team NB player who should not be overlooked.

6’2” Josh Lawlor (2027) provided 13 points in this game.  It will be very interesting to see how his role increases once the Teddy Show leaves town.

6’5” Ilija Babic (2026) had 16 points in this game, and 24 in last year’s provincial championship game.  He should find a post-secondary team soon.