As we approach the Christmas holiday season, all is quiet on the Maritime Women’s Basketball Association front.
That will change in a hurry once the calendar flips to 2026 and the countdown begins for the MWBA’s fifth anniversary season.
Here are some News ‘N Notes and MWBA updates:
*All eight teams have received a draft schedule for the 2026 season. Most teams are verifying gymnasium commitments and the final schedule is anticipated to be released in March. The season will open the first week of May.
*It is Nova Scotia’s turn to host the Legacy Cup championship in June. An official site has yet to be announced, but it will mark the third time the Bluenose Province has welcomed the MWBA to its championship weekend. Previous site have been Saint Mary’s University and Dalhousie University in Halifax. New Brunswick championship sites have been held at TD Station in Saint John and the Richard J. Currie Center in Fredericton.
*Abby Miller of the reigning Legacy Cup champion Miramichi Her-Icanes has finally arrived at her international destination. The rebound machine signed a contract to play professionally in Portugal during the off-season. Travel and work Visa issues held her up, but the Mount Denson, NS, product is finally realizing a dream of playing pro ball.
*The Fredericton Freeze has a duo known as the Splash Sisters, a nicknamed coined with their University of Ottawa Gee Gees. Allie McCarthy and Bailey Russell are key MWBA players for the Freeze and are having tremendous seasons with Ottawa at the USPORTS level with the reigning Ontario University Athletics champion Gee Gees. McCarthy is second in the nation in scoring, mere percentage points from top spot and Russell is third.
*Halifax Thunder assistant general manager Karen Bolivar is preparing for a busy spring and summer. Bolivar will work with GM Brandon Rafuse to get the two-time Legacy Cup champion Thunder prepared for 2026, but she will also guide the Thunder Elite under-13 and under-14 girls’ teams during the summer season.
*Halifax Hornets general manager Mark Forward is back in a familiar position. The long-time head coach of the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association’s Mount St. Vincent University Mystics of Halifax has his squad sitting atop the standings with a perfect 7-0 record as teams entered the holiday break. The Mystics are the league’s only undefeated team and sit a plus 117 in points for/points against.
*Two players from the MWBA are also having solid individual ACAA seasons. Danielle Alexander of Saint John’s Port City Fog leads the circuit, averaging 16.5 points per game with Sackville’s Mount Allison University Mounties. Celine Sterckel of Mount St. Vincent is third at 14.1 points per game. Sterckel is an MWBA veteran with the Moncton Mystics. Alexander also leads the league in rebounds with 11.0 per outing. Emma Roberts of the Mounties, who plays with Port City, leads in three point percentage at 46.2 from the arc.
*The expansion Truro Tidal Queens are coming off a successful nickname launch through a public poll are in the midst of a design for its logo. The Tidal Queens, who will be coached by Lonnie States, are anticipating unveiling its logo in the new year.
*States was an assistant coach with the 2025 regular season champion Lake City 56ers of Dartmouth/Cole Harbour/Preston, working with Patrick Havard. The 56ers and general manager Colter Simmons will be seeking a new assistant coach to replace States.
*Lauren Rainford of Miramichi is the MWBA’s all-time leading scorer, amassing 419 points over two seasons with the ‘Canes. Courtney Donaldson of the 56ers is second with 414.
*Three players have scored 400 or more points in league history. Former 56er and Thunder star Karissa Kajorinne, playing with Miller in Portugal, is at 400 points. Eleven players have scored 300 or more points, 23 players have scored 200 plus points, and 64 players have scored over 100 points.
*The leading scorers for five franchises are active players: Fredericton (Eva Tumwine), Halifax Hornets (Jasmine Parent), Halifax Thunder (Kiera Duffie), Lake City (Donaldson), Miramichi (Rainford), Moncton (Jenna Jones) and Port City (Kaylee Kilpatrick). Jones and Kilpatrick did not play in 2025.
*If you’re interested in joining the MWBA’s list of financial partners, please reach out to the league at mwba.league@gmail.com for the 2026 season.
– Miramichi’s Abby Miller, 16, is in her first pro season in Portugal. (Fran Harris Photo)
