There is one spot left.
Who wants it?
We find out tonight when the final divisional semifinal of the Maritime Women’s Basketball Association playoffs unfolds at Fredericton High School when hometown Fredericton Freeze welcome Moncton Mystics to the New Brunswick capital.
Game time is 7 p.m.
At stake is a berth in the PRO•LINE Legacy Cup Final Quartet, set for Richard J. Currie Center, June 21-22.
Regular season champion Lake City 56ers of Dartmouth/Cole Harbour, Halifax Thunder and Miramichi Her-Icanes are waiting for the fourth team.
Fredericton was 2-0 against Moncton this season.
Here is a game capsule for this evening’s game…and Happy Father’s Day!
Who? Moncton Mystics (2-8) at Fredericton Freeze (5-5)
When – Sunday, June 15, 7 p.m.
Where?: Fredericton High School
Head-to-Head – Fredericton 2-0 (78-43, May 17), (83-54, May 21)
Points For: Fredericton – 665, Moncton – 550
Points Against: Fredericton 744, Moncton – 673
Who to Watch For: Fredericton – Three players are all over the MWBA statistical leaderboard for the Freeze including Bailey Russell, third in scoring, Eva Tumwine, fifth in scoring and Allie McCarthy, top five in rebounds, steals and more. Veteran supporting crew with Katie Daley, Robbi Daley, Courtney Thompson and Jane Boyle. Vanessa Soffee’s gear shifting ability and defending cannot go unnoticed. Keep an eye on Nicole Esson.
Who to Watch For: Mystics – It’s been a great MWBA return for Lindy Alcorn, the veteran tying Russell for rebounds per game lead this season. She is the definition of a leader, helping out such a young team. Celine Sterckel is a consistent scorer/rebounder for the Mystics and its young crew of Eavan McLaughlin, Addie Albert, Sadie Bowen and point guard Kate Fillmore bring speed and exuberance to the lineup.
Synopsis: Fredericton has shown it can score and the Freeze is known to go on runs when cylinders start clicking. It’s a tall order asking Moncton to defend against a high-scoring team that can share the ball. A player like Courtney Thompson can take over a game while teams worry about Russell, Tumwine and McCarthy. Veteran Robbi Daley can defend as well as anyone in the league. Moncton needs to keep this game close through the half and put pressure on the hometown Freeze. If its forwards can get inside early, it bodes well for the Mystics.
(Fran Harris Photo)