ST. LAWRENCE, NL – After several challenging seasons, the 2025–26 campaign proved to be a defining rebuilding year for the Saint Lawrence Academy Blues basketball program — and one that may mark the beginning of a long-awaited resurgence.
For many on the Burin Peninsula, the Blues name still carries history. From the 1960s through the early 2000s, basketball was a prominent sport at Saint Lawrence Academy, with the program earning a respected reputation at the provincial level. In recent years, however, participation declined and the program slipped from the spotlight.
This season changed that narrative.
The year began modestly as a young roster worked to find chemistry, but steady improvement quickly became evident. The Blues made an early statement at the Discovery Collegiate Invitational, advancing to the championship game before falling to 3A contender Glovertown Academy. Competing at that level was a significant accomplishment for a small 1A school facing programs with far larger enrollments.
Momentum carried into the Jaguars Invitational, where Saint Lawrence again reached the final, facing host team Saint Joseph’s Jaguars — the eventual 2A provincial champions. The result further demonstrated the team’s growing confidence and competitiveness against higher classifications.
At the 1A Provincial Championships in Conne River, the Blues came within striking distance of a finals appearance, narrowly losing their semifinal matchup by just four points in one of the tournament’s most competitive games.
By season’s end, the growth of the team was unmistakable.
At the Clippers Invitational hosted by Marystown Central High School, Saint Lawrence showcased the progress made throughout the year. Marc Slaney emerged as a major offensive threat with consistent three-point shooting, while Dawson Kearney’s physical drives through the key made him a difficult matchup for opposing defenses.
In the championship game against the host Marystown Clippers, two players delivered standout performances. Jayden Beck controlled the boards with authority, using his size and strength to dominate rebounds and disrupt opponents inside the paint and was forced to be reckoned with and showed much promise for the future on this team. Mason Molloy provided offensive spark and energy, attacking the basket with speed and composure while delivering on key possessions in critical moments of a tightly contested game. his speed and shiftiness we’re well on display the entire weekend.
While results on the scoreboard told part of the story, the season’s true success was found in development, resilience, and teamwork. The Blues evolved into a cohesive unit capable of competing with programs across multiple classifications.
Perhaps most encouraging for the program’s future is roster continuity — Saint Lawrence Academy graduates no players this year. With experience gained and confidence established, the Blues enter next season poised to become a serious contender.
If this season represented rebuilding, the next may well be remembered as the return of Blues basketball.
~~~~
