The Fredericton Freeze is returning its entire coaching for the 2025 Maritime Women’s Basketball Association.
That means head coach Kevin Daley is back for his third season at the helm of the Freeze.
Associate coach Anthony Ashe returns for his third year in the MWBA and Ashley Smith will be back for her second season.
Fredericton finished third in the MWBA last season, winning its bronze medal game at the Pro*Line Stadium Legacy Cup final in Halifax. The Freeze lost a heartbreaking, last second single point game to Dartmouth’s Lake City 56ers in the semifinal, one of the best games in the three years the MWBA has been playing.
‘I truly cherish each and every moment with the Freeze organization and I’m happy to keep our coaching staff intact for next season,’ said Daley, one of the New Brunswick Interscholastic Athletic Association’s longest tenured coach with the girls’ AAA Fredericton High Black Kats. ‘The MWBA is an unbelievably competitive league. I’ve been coaching a long time and continue to learn at this level. That’s what it’s all about.’
Daley stresses a community-minded team with the Freeze.
‘We have so many diverse players who are professionals or students or those who are going to be community leaders if they’re not already making a name for themselves willing to help others,’ he said. ‘I get to see those players in the community and on the floor. The competitive nature of our team, our players and the league is what makes the MWBA so attractive to so many people.’
Daley and Ashe, the latter who is also an assistant coach with the University of New Brunswick Reds’ women’s team, formed a solid troika with Smith.
Smith, who coached at the interscholastic level for a number of years, found her groove this season as a rookie coach in the MWBA.
‘Anthony and I have coached together for years, but it was great to have Ashley on board,’ Daley said. ‘She was cautious early, but found her voice. That’s all a part of communication and confidence. We’re very comfortable working together.’
Fredericton also announced Bill Gibson will return as play-by-play broadcaster for the Freeze and continue his duties as associate general manager.
The Freeze is anticipating hosting some open gyms in the fall and early winter in preparation for the 2025 season.
(DWinston Photo)