In 1987, the young Nova Scotia Canada Games men’s basketball team only had a few practices together. However, under the exceptional coaching of Bev Greenlaw, they came out on top, winning the gold medal at the 1987 Canada Games in Sydney with a perfect 6-0 record. The team, comprised of players from across the province, finished first in their division, ensuring them a spot in the medal round. They beat British Columbia with a convincing 116-86 win in the semi-final.

Moving on to the championship game marked the farthest that a Nova Scotian team had ever gone in the Canada Games. The previous high was a bronze medal finish in the 1967 inaugural games. They faced Quebec in the final and were up 38-35 at halftime, but that wasn’t enough. The team returned after the half ready to play and, in front of 1,200 cheering fans, they captured the gold with a 91-76 win. Winning the gold medal was a great accomplishment for the underdog team and a fantastic finish on the last day of competition in front of a proud home crowd.

Members of the team were: Scott Borden, David Brown, Keith Donovan, Bev Greenlaw (Coach), Charles Ikejiani, Augy Jones, Peter Leppard, Grant MacDonald, James McQuaid, Mark Parker (Manager), Wade Smith, Kevin Veinot, Jason Wilson, Stephen Woodman.