The Wallaceburg Tartans Junior Boys basketball team captured the LKSSAA Championship on Saturday evening, February 18, 2023.
The Tartans topped the John McGregor Panthers by a score of 49-36.
“A high tempo first quarter saw the Tartans fall behind early, after giving up back-to-back three pointers to the Panthers,” stated Coach Chris Dundee.
“However, strong defensive efforts led to numerous transition baskets and the Tartans led 12-8 after the first quarter, and earned a 13-point lead by halftime.”
Dundee said the Tartans held off a late push by the Panthers in the fourth quarter, and secured the school’s first boys basketball title in many years.”
Leading the Tartans was Grade 10 Dracen Campbell, who had 18 points on the night.
Grade 10’s Ben Leitch and Drew O’Neil also chipped in with 10 and seven points respectively.
“The Tartans had a strong season securing first place in the ‘AA’ regular season standings and defeated LCCVI in the semi-finals earlier in the week 52-30,” Dundee said.
The team is coached by Dundee and Rob MacLachlan.
Dundee gave credit to the effort and execution the boys demonstrated over a long season and the ‘buying in’ to defensive schemes.
MacLachlan, who plans on retiring later this year after teaching and coaching at WDSS for the past 31 years, was happy to see the boys rewarded for their hard work all season.
The team will travel to Windsor later this week to take on the WECSSAA league champions for the Southwestern Ontario Secondary School Athletic Association (SWOSSA) championship.
In the photo, front row from left, Axel Howlett, Ben Leitch, Dracen Campbell, Lucas Laprise, Jamall Prince, back row from left, coach Rob MacLachlan, Drew O’Neil, Justin Schepens, Ryan Yang, Waukiigan Shognosh, Cole Fisher, Tommy McFadden and coach Chris Dundee.
