Rustlers Recap 2026: Men's Basketball
Record:
Regular season: The Rustlers went 17-3, finishing first in the North Division.
Playoff Finish:
Fourth: Lakeland hosted the ACAC Championship. After defeating the Ambrose Lions in the quarterfinals, the Rustlers lost to the Lethbridge Kodiaks in the semifinals and the SAIT Trojans in the bronze medal game.
All-Stars:
Three: Taleh Wade, averaging more than 20 points per game, was named 1st Team All-Conference, ACAC North Player of the Year and a CCAA All-Canadian. Jordan Horobetz-Simpson, also 1st Team, was a walking double-double, while Bahaeddin Salma made 2nd Team and was named ACAC North Defensive Player of the Year. Finally, coach Sheray Thomas won his second straight North Coach of the Year award.
Team Awards:
Top Offensive Player: Jordan Horobetz-Simpson
Top Defensive Player: Bahaeddin Salma
Rustler Award: David Dimaano
MVP: Taleh Wade
Graduating Athletes:
Three: Salma and Dimaano leave the program after five seasons and two ACAC bronze medals. Roy Anku, who joined the team at Christmas, also played his fifth season of eligibility, but for just 2.5 years at Lakeland.
Year in Review:
A disappointing ending shouldn't overshadow one of the best ACAC campaigns in the history of men's basketball at Lakeland College.
The Rustlers had their second-best regular season of all time, going 17-3 and losing by a combined 10 points in those three games (played against the defending champion Clippers, the undefeated Trojans and eventual 2026 winners the Huskies). Thomas' team had one of the best offensive and defensive statistical totals in the league and routinely blew out their opponents on home court.
There were several individual performances to highlight on a team with great two-way players. Baha Salma was an all-star for the third straight year, consistently proving he was one of the best two-way players in the league. Horobetz-Simpson was feared on both ends of the floor and fellow big Matt Bryant was a constant double-double threat. Seth Johnson could score 30 points in a game thanks to his three-point shooting, while fifth-year David Dimaano brought scoring punch and toughness in a sixth man role. Finally, transfer Wade was one of the best scorers in the country.
It was also one of the best academic years for the program, with multiple players over a 3.0 and Johnson making the honour roll.
In the postseason, the Rustlers were in a new spot as the program being chased, something they struggled with during the weekend where they hosted the Conference Championship, a first since 2019. After winning their quarterfinal, they had a rough shooting night against a feisty Lethbridge squad and then played better, but fell short against a Trojans team also upset in the semifinal.
Thomas said as disappointing as the ending was, it provides opportunities for growth.
"A good regular season with good group of student athletes," Thomas said. "Heading into the offseason, I'm hoping we learn and are hungry after that post season result."
This upcoming season will provide a chance for the program to bounce back and compete for a title again. Minus the three graduates, the team's core is expected to return, and several recruits (including Donovann Toatly from Maryland, USA) will help bolster their depth. Returning members like Tyson Christensen and local Tyler Gartner will also have chances to earn more minutes in the rotation. Get that mix of talent and work ethic to mix, combined with the experience of the past year, the Rustlers will be in the championship race again.
The team will return in late August, while several members will participate as coaches with the Rustlers summer basketball camps in July and August.