The long-awaited Victoria Day Weekend beckons.
But before there is relaxation and acknowledging the unofficial official start to summer season, there is Maritime Women’s Basketball Association work to be done.
In both provinces on Thursday night.
The scene in Halifax unfolds at Saint Mary’s University when the host Halifax Thunder welcome Windsor Edge to the venue.
Game time is 7 p.m.
The Thunder rolls in with an unblemished 3-0 regular season record for a share of first place with the idle Port City Fog of Saint John (3-2).
Windsor comes calling with an 0-3 record, looking to get into the win column.
The game will mark the first time former Edge players Karissa Kajorinne, Tiffany Reynolds and Karla Yepez play against their old teammates.
Kajorinne sits second in league scoring, averaging 17.3 points per outing. Vanessa Pickard is a step back at 17.0, but has appeared in only one game for head coach Parke Regan. Reynolds brings 13.6 points per game to the table.
A young Windsor team, under the direction of head coach Scott James, has Isa MacKay leading the way with 10 points an outing. Nalini Maharaj is in the thick of the Edge’s offence, with 9.6 points per game.
The all-New Brunswick battle unfolds at Harrison Trimble High School at 7 p.m. when the high-scoring Moncton Mystics welcome the Fredericton Freeze.
Moncton is paced by high-scoring point guard Leonie Elbert, the German-born former professional. Elbert usually lifts Moncton early, lighting up scoreboards as a three-point threat, particularly early in games.
The Mystics also boast former German pro Allie Berry and her 16 points per game and major paint presence.
Post Katie Butts, who has an outside touch to go with her inside game, sparks Fredericton’s offence with 16.5 a game. Katie McAffee brings 13.6 points a game and Kylee Speedy is a shade behind at 13.5.
Freeze veteran Katie Daley and rookie Allie McCarthy are expected to make their 2023 season debuts Thursday.
– Karissa Kajorinne leads Halifax Thunder into action Thursday at home.