A 12-0 season falls short at Nationals

Following an undefeated (12-0) season in league play, the Acadia Axemen made their first appearance at the men's basketball nationals in three seasons at the 1969 tournament held in Waterloo, Ontario.

Brian Heaney was the only holdover from Acadia's last nationals appearance in 1966. The Acadia roster was top-heavy with freshmen, and the future well in hand in players like Steve Pound and Rick Eaton.

The Axemen were joined by Windsor (making its sixth nationals appearance in seven years), Waterloo Lutheran (the defending national champions), Alberta and Loyola of Montreal in a five-team field.

In each of their four previous nationals appearances, Acadia had faced Windsor, and the long-time foes met again in 1969, this time in the semifinals.

The Lancers had also been undefeated in regular season play at 10-0, and had their usual strong team.

The Axemen appeared equally strong, at least on paper, having fashioned a 19-3 season, including an 18-1 mark against Canadian competition.

Again, though, a lack of height (Eaton was the tallest Axemen at just over 6'4”) and an overall lack of experience (Acadia's roster featured seven first-year players) were factors in an 83-75 semifinal win for the perennially-strong Windsor squad.

In particular, Windsor dominated the rebounding stats. The Lancers had four players taller than Eaton's 6'4,” and they were not only all good players, they were able to be subbed frequently.

That Acadia came within eight points of the Lancers was due in large part to Brian Heaney. Playing in his second-to-last Acadia game, the talented senior hooped a game-high 39 points, 27 of them in the second half, in what the Acadia Athenaeum described as a “valiant effort.”  

The semifinal loss relegated the Axemen to the consolation final. As it turned out, the semifinal against Windsor was the high point of the tournament for Acadia, which ended up losing 73-56 to Alberta to place fourth overall. Of that game, the Athenaeum said, “the less said about it, the better.”

The Lancers topped Waterloo Lutheran 76-63 in the final for their fifth national title in seven seasons.

Despite the disappointment, Acadia's roster was young, and the team had several talented freshmen.

As the Athenaeum pointed out, “when they are juniors, and next year's freshmen are sophomores, the national finals come to the east. There is little doubt in the minds of Acadia fans where they will be held. And the Axemen almost never lose at home.”

Contributed by John DeCoste '77. John's book, Living the Dream: The Acadia Axemen at the Nationals can be purchased by contacting John at jadecoste56@gmail.com