In New Waterford, the basketball Strands of the late 1940s epitomized the spirit that drives the town. The Strands rose from humble beginnings to become a powerful force in both provincial and Canadian basketball circles.
The Strand Theatre, which was the town’s social and recreational centre during the 1920s, was converted to a gymnasium after the theatre portion closed in the early 30s. Basketball became the competitive sport for the town’s three main schools: Mount Carmel, St. Agnes, and Central. Natural rivalry generated the competitive instinct and it was not long before town teams were claiming provincial championships with great regularity.
The program reached its greatest height in the late 1940s, when the Strands of 1946-47-48 won the Canadian Intermediate Championship in two successive seasons. In 1947, the Strands defeated the Ottawa B’nai B’rith 76-74 in order to take home the championship title.
Team members were: Joe Chaisson (manager), Freddie Connors (captain), Marshall Desveaux, Alexander (Bucky) Gillis, Neil Kennedy, Cornie Lever, Richie MacDonald, Jack MacKenzie (coach), Augustus (Gussie) MacNeil, Russell MacNeil, Martin MacPherson, Jiggie Micholsky, Ladislaus (Laddie) Micholsky, Alexander Passerin, Lucius Ryan, Gerald Tonary (ball boy).
• 1946-47 Canadian Intermediate Basketball Champions
• 1947-48 Canadian Intermediate Basketball Champions