It was certainly an exciting kick off for Season III of the Maritime Women’s Basketball Association.
Close games, big crowds, new faces and exciting plays all made for dramatic action during the five opening weekend games.
Here’s some News ‘Notes from the MWBA after week one and preparation for our second week of action.
- Miramichi Her-icanes unveiled their team at home on May 5 and it was a show, indeed. An overflow crowd at Miramichi Valley High School, inspiring video introductions for all the players and future Her-Icanes all over the gym. Miramichi gave the home crowd plenty to cheer about, downing Fredericton Freeze, 77-70.
- All teams played at least one game on the weekend and it may certainly indicate true parity across the circuit. Reigning Legacy Cup champion Halifax Thunder and Port City Fog of Saint John played once, but sit at 1-0. Miramichi, Fredericton and Lake City 56ers are all 1-1. Moncton Mystics and Halifax Hornets lost their only games.
- There are five more games on tap this weekend, beginning with two on Friday night. Thunder kicks off its home debut, welcoming city rival Hornets in a 7 p.m. game at Saint Mary’s University. Port City visits Highway 7 rival Fredericton at 7 p.m. at Lady Beaverbrook Gymnasium on the campus of University of New Brunswick. On Saturday, Miramichi is Nova Scotia-bound, facing Lake City at 2 p.m. at Cole Harbour High School. Moncton unveils its squad to the home fans, hosting Hornets at 6 p.m. at Crandall University. Miramichi then faces Thunder on Sunday.
- All MWBA games are livestreamed through Aurora Productions and Her-Icanes YouTube in New Brunswick and Maritime Athletic Profiles in Nova Scotia.
- Patrick Havard (Lake City), Augy Jones (Halifax Hornets), Troy Mackenzie (Moncton) and Brittany Sullivan (Miramichi) all made their MWBA coaching debuts on the weekend.
- How important is the regular season this year? How about very important. If opening weekend is any indication of the season, teams will be battling for home court advantage for single game playoffs in June for the right to advance to the league’s Four the Final in June in Dartmouth. Only four teams will pursue the Legacy Cup.
- Some impressive league player debuts over the weekend included Lindsay Black (Moncton), Courtney Cain-Norton (Lake City), Bailey Russell (Fredericton), Lauren Rainford (Miramichi).
- Halifax Thunder is now undefeated through 21 regular season games over two full seasons and opening weekend.
- Please visit themwba.ca under Scores&Schedule for all the updated boxscores.
- Looking for apparel from your favourite MWBA team? Visit on-line options at https://www.highpoweredcustoms.com/ or https://high-powered-customs.myshopify.com/collections/mwba and wear the colours!
- Former Canada Basketball team member Justine Colley-Leger makes her return to Saint Mary’s University Friday, where she starred for the Huskies. Colley-Leger played in the league in 2022 and marks her return this season with one game already under her belt in Thunder’s opening day win over Lake City 56ers.