The Miramich Her-Icanes were an expansion team in 2024.
The club certainly made noise last season, both on and off the court, producing the reigning league MVP and capturing the hearts of a rabid fan base along the way.
Guess what?
It’s still a feel good story on Miramichi, but there’s certainly a lot of steak to go with the sizzle with the Her-Icanes.
Miramichi enters this weekend’s PRO•LINE Legacy Cup championship at Fredericton’s Richard J. Currie Center as the MWBA’s No. 2 seed after a remarkable regular season.
The ‘Canes finished tied atop the standings with Lake City 56ers of Dartmouth/Cole Harbour, both sporting identical 8-2 won-loss records. The 56ers earned the overall regular season crown thanks to a head-to-head win over Miramichi in the first game of the year.
That’s how close the two teams were through 10 games.
The Her-icanes will now face the No. 3 seed Halifax Thunder on Saturday night at the RJCC.
Game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Halifax won the only head-to-head game between the two teams, a 64-54 decision back on June 7 in the Nova Scotia capital.
Let’s have a look at Miramichi and see what makes it tick:
The club is lead by veteran Basketball New Brunswick and interscholastic coach, Neil Smith, who recently retired as the province’s technical director. He is joined by associate coaches Katie Donahoe, Jack Bell and Tristan Desroches. Donahoe provides a dual edged sword for Smith as she also logs almost 23 minutes a game in the backcourt, bring guile and experience to the roster.
Miramichi runs through the graceful play of the reigning MVP, Lauren Rainford, who this year’s scoring title, averaging 18.4 points per game. Her compete level is off the charts and Rainford brings a number of weapons to her game including speed, savvy and the ability to score anywhere on the floor.
She has company.
Grace Lancaster scored 15.8 points per game. Abby Miller is a rebounding machine, one the MWBA’s all-time leading scorers and gives Smith plenty of emotion in the paint. Devon Lawlor plays a ton and provided a shade over 10 points per game.
The Her-Icanes can shoot the three as well as anyone in the league and if they get going from distance, teams have to have to chase, opening up plenty of space for Miramichi to attack.
The ‘Canes were the league’s highest scoring team, posting 747 points over the 10 games and yielded the least amount, surrendering 566 against.
‘A lot of people will look at our team and immediately think offence, but we certainly pride ourselves on preventing offence against other teams,’ said Smith. ‘It’s always fun when you’re scoring, but our team can light up when we clamp down defensively. It’s allowed for outstanding internal competition to get that next rebound and outlet to offence.’
Donahoe, Rainford, Lancaste, Miller and Lawlor know they have a ton of talent in support.
Sydney Lawlor, Kassidy Hamilton, Reilly Sullivan, Bailey Henderson, another rebounding threat Aiden Rainford, Ava Godfrey and Mariah Ward all play key roles.
And keep an eye on Bailey Black. The former University of New Brunswick Reds’ guard gives Smith and company 15 minutes a game and just over four points an outing while providing plenty of experience and tenacity.
– Grace Lancaster can attack inside or knock down threes for Miramichi. (Jordan Pinder Photo)