Fredericton High School JV AAA Mens Basketball

te the 171 straight wins posted by junior varsity boys basketball teams at FHS over a five-year stretch. Ian MacPherson, the father of former player Ben MacPherson, among others have done considerable research trying to determine which school previously captured the most consecutive victories. He traced it back to 86 years ago to a squad in New Jersey which won 159 consecutive games between 1919 and 1925. MacPherson noted in the more modern era, the FHS Lady Black Kats under Steve O'Rourke and Rick Cotter garnered 130 straight wins to establish a Canadian record. The last time the JV Black Kats lost a game was during the 2005 provincials against Riverview High. "The 171 (wins), we have not been able to find any reference to any other record close to that," said MacPherson. He has an incredibly talented group of kids coming back next year as well and he has the knack of instilling in them the desire to be as good as they possibly can be.''

Two former Kats, Jeff O'Donnell and Nikola Mijatovic, talked about playing for Young. "Gary's a great guy....was the best coach I ever had for sure," said O'Donnell, who played point guard. That is ridiculous really to not lose one (game). It is because of the coaching. He'd always be in the gym, during lunches, after school opening the gym for us," O'Donnell said in reference to Young. Mijatovic, who played as a forward, remembered FHS posting some victories by over 60 points during his Grade 10 season. He said Young did not aim to embarrass the opposition but stressed to the players to keep working hard. What set FHS teams apart from other schools was their athleticism, fitness and stamina, he said. "Gary is perfect for that because he is just about fundamentals,'' said Mijatovic. "It is great for young athletes, though because it improves your game a lot. It's definitely his work ethic that is the reason why this streak keeps going.''

Both O'Donnell and Mijatovic are wrapping up their first years as chemical engineering students at the University of New Brunswick. Young, a means and resource teacher based at FHS for the past 27 years, said he was "very pleasantly surprised" with the decision to hold a reception. He figured a ceremony would take place after the team had lost a game. He thanked his co-coaches, George Doak, Miller Esson, Greg MacDonald and Tim Howatt for "their intellect, understanding of the game and valuable advice.'' Young saluted families for "co-ordinating their lives around our basketball,'' saying people likely don't realize how demanding sport is on the parents. "What strikes me is the tremendous generosity, giving and caring of everyone. I never had a parent say 'no I can't do that,'' said Young. "I was forever asking people to chase down chocolate milk, do statistics and to drive kids and make sure they would eat at the right time for their sporting events." Young talked about the various highlights, including a number of close contests versus cross-town rival Leo Hayes in 2006, dominant victories in 2007, tight games versus high scoring Kennebecasis Valley that FHS ultimately shut down in 2008. Young recalled an early season road game in KV during 2009 where Grade 9 players had to step up after most of his regulars had fouled out rather quickly. Going into last season with nine rookies, Young said some opposing coaches predicted the FHS winning streak would come to an end. He paid tribute to the players, saying they experienced success on the basketball court by embracing a team concept and supporting each other in times when you "probably should be racking up losses. "In all my years of coaching, I have never made a great basketball player. All I do is explain things," said Young. "Time management, hard work and seizing the moment, those are the lessons best learned from me.''

Fredericton-Silverwood MLA Brian Macdonald is coordinating efforts to have the FHS delegation be special guests in the Legislative Assembly next Tuesday afternoon. Macdonald says the success of the Black Kats program sends a tremendous message to the rest of the province on what can be achieved. "It is historic," said Macdonald. "So often we let these things pass us by without recognizing them. It is important for the players and their families. It speaks to the dedication of the students themselves, the incredible dedication of the coaches and it also speaks to the strength of our community.''

© 2011 The Daily Gleaner (Fredericton)


Length: 785 words
Idnumber: 201105190068