The fifth season of the Maritime Women’s Basketball Association will kick off the first weekend of May.
‘All of the teams have the schedule and there are going to be a few tweaks before we can call it a final edition, but we’re very close,’ said MWBA commissioner, Jen Lloyd, of Dartmouth, NS. ‘There are some venue logistics that need to be finalized for a couple of games, but we do know we are opening that first weekend of May. Everything will fall into place soon.’
It has been a busy off-season for the MWBA.
The league added its eighth team with the Truro Tidal Queens joining the circuit, allowing for an even balance with four teams in Nova Scotia and four squads in New Brunswick.
Truro will play in the Nova Scotia Division with Halifax Hornets, Halifax Thunder and Lake City 56ers of Dartmouth/Cole Harbour/Preston. The New Brunswick Division features reigning champion Miramichi Her-icanes, Fredericton Freeze, Moncton Mystics and Saint John’s Port City Fog.
There are three games set for Saturday, May 2.
Truro gets its baptism in the circuit by visiting Halifax Thunder, Miramichi begins its title defence hosting Fredericton and Moncton crosses the border to face Lake City.
The Sunday, May 3, games pit Miramichi at Port City, Moncton visiting the Hornets and Thunder crossing the bridge to play the 56ers.
The season ends Sunday, June 7, with three games including Port City at Thunder, Fredericton visiting Truro and the Hornets clashing with Lake City.
Divisional semifinals are expected to be played the weekend of June 13-14.
The divisional champion will play the provincial fourth seed and second place meets third place.
The two survivors from each province will advance to the PRO•LINE Legacy Cup championship June 20-21.
– Miramichi begins its title defence at home May 2. (Fran Harris Photo)
