‘An experience I never want to forget:’ N.S basketball player debuts at NCAA tournament

A basketball player from North Preston is still riding high after his March Madness debut.

Nova Scotia native Caleb Johnson is still riding high following his debut at the NCAA March Madness tournament.

“Overall for me, it’s just an experience I never want to forget, that I never will forget,” says Johnson, a forward with the Long Island Sharks.

Though his team fell short to Arizona in the first round, Johnson is proud of the game they played.

“I just wanted to come in and be aggressive, play my game and contribute. I knew I had Canada watching, so I kind of wanted to put on for Canada, especially for Nova Scotia,” he says.

The moment was equally as surreal for his family and community in his hometown of North Preston.

“Growing up, Caleb was just a sponge for the game,” says his brother Chris Johnson. “You could tell by seeing him that he wanted to play basketball. You could just see at that early age that he had the passion and just the drive to do whatever it takes to get him to the next level.

“It was a dream come true. It’s something that I know he aspired to do. I know he watched me play in the tournament as well. To see him being able to check it off of his list as well… I think it was a great moment.”

Johnson says his eyes are set on getting back to March Madness next year.

“That’s going to be part of my motivation coming in this summer. You get a taste of it and you want to get back to it,” he says.

“I’m appreciative of the support that I have and the support that I received. I just want to give back in the best way I can.”

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