2025-26 Final 12 Predictions - Varsity Boys

A Boys

Fredericton Christian Academy vs. Harvey High School

If you’re a fan of offense, circle this one immediately.

Fredericton Christian Academy vs. Harvey High School has all the ingredients of a shootout. Both teams can score. Both can score quickly. And neither is shy about pushing tempo. Harvey enters as the favourite, and for good reason. The Lakers have won all three meetings this season, including a wild 102–98 victory in the SW Regional just two weeks ago. That game alone tells you everything: pace, shot-making, and minimal defensive breathing room. This could legitimately be a “first to 100 wins” kind of championship. Led by the two-headed monster of Colby Cleghorn and Ryan MacElwain, the Lakers can explode offensively. They score at all three levels and thrive in transition. If they find an early rhythm, they are incredibly difficult to slow down. FCA will counter with all-star Ebuka Ezeokafor, who will demand attention for every possession. If he gets downhill consistently or establishes himself early inside, Harvey will have to adjust quickly. The chess match becomes simple:Who can contain the opposing star(s) long enough to survive runs? Championship settings can shift dynamics, a bigger floor, a much different shooting background, brighter lights and lots of pressure! Will perimeter shooting percentages dip slightly?Will tempo feel different early? These are subtle factors that sometimes matter in high-scoring teams used to smaller gyms. Which team will be able to adjust faster, that is the question?  FCA advanced through the NE Sectional after surviving a tight Friday battle against Hartland before cruising in the final. Harvey, meanwhile, handled their sectional opponents with relative ease. Here’s the reality: FCA has yet to prove they can outscore the Lakers this season. Until that changes, it’s difficult to pick against the team that has consistently won the matchup.

Prediction

High-scoring. Entertaining. Likely decided in the final few possessions.

Harvey 94 – FCA 86

The Lakers take home the banner in what could be one of the most exciting games of the entire Final 12 weekend.

AA Boys

Woodstock High School vs. Salisbury Regional School

The Boys AA Final between Salisbury and Woodstock brings together two programs that have put together outstanding seasons and arrive on the championship stage by similar paths.

Salisbury comes in after a phenomenal year that saw them capture the Northeast Regionals and host sectionals, where they earned their first ever finals berth with a hard-fought win over Carleton North. They are led by all-stars Brock Short and Kolt Slocum a duo that has driven their success throughout the season and will be relied upon heavily on the Final 12 stage.

Woodstock enters the final undefeated in AA and coming off a sectional final victory over MVHS in a bend but don’t break performance, where their Grade 12 group showed the experience and composure that has defined their season. With many key players returning from last year’s finals loss, including all star Jackson McCartney, Woodstock will look to use that experience as motivation in their pursuit of a championship. These teams have met three times this season with Woodstock winning the games convincingly. Now, Salisbury’s breakthrough season meets an undefeated Woodstock squad determined to finish what it started, setting the stage for a compelling AA championship showdown.

Prediction

Salisbury has shown they can’t be counted out.

But we think Woodstock’s experience will lead them to victory.

Woodstock 91 - Salisbury 73

AAA Boys

Fredericton High School vs. Harrison Trimble High School

FHS survived a serious push from Riverview in the sectional final. They bent, but didn’t break. That resilience matters, especially if they find themselves in another grind on Saturday night. Trimble? There were whispers Leo Hayes might derail their trip to TD Station. The Trojans silenced that quickly, dominating on their home floor. Both teams arrive battle-tested ready for the final. FHS is led by arguably the best player in the province, Teddy Worley, the Kats are deep and versatile. They can score inside and out, push tempo, and adjust defensively mid-game. Bryce MacKenzie has the keys of the car for the Trojans. When he’s controlling pace and carving up pick-and-roll coverage, Trimble becomes extremely dangerous. There is no shortage of talent on this floor. Expect FHS to mix defensive looks. We suspect significant stretches of zone, trying to force Trimble to beat them from the perimeter and minimizing MacKenzie’s pick-and-roll impact. The Kats will score, that’s almost a given. The real question: can Trimble score enough to stay in this one late? In their 103-point win and 96-point near miss against FHS earlier this season, the Trojans proved they can light up the scoreboard. They’ll likely need similar production Saturday night.

Prediction

We want this one coming down to the final minute, possession by possession under championship pressure. We just think that FHS might have too much and manage to hang on against the upset minded Trojans.

Fredericton High 94 – Harrison Trimble 90