Leaves are turning.
A titch of cool morning air, getting dark earlier.
On the one hand, a final wave of the hand to the Summer of ’26. On the other hand, welcome to basketball season, 2026-27 style.
As teams hit the ground running in preparation for U SPORTS play, it’s always fun to take a look around and see which Maritime Women’s Basketball Association are making initial forays into post-secondary play or maybe others who are getting a fresh start with a new program.
Let’s start with the Moncton Mystics, shall we?
When the MWBA announced change to roster composition prior to 2026, each team could add three graduating high school seniors to the team.
The idea was to help create sustainability and bring younger players into the fold to watch and learn from older, experienced players.
Some rookies for the Mystics did a lot more than watch.
Three players made immediate impact wearing Moncton colours in the MWBA as they prepared to join U SPORTS ranks this season including a pair who will be teammates at the university level.
Maddie Eustace exploded onto the scene, averaging 20 points per game for the Mystics, who pieces together an interesting roster of youth and veteran experience. Eustace was named a second team MWBA all-star.
Jesse McCarron averaged 14.2 points an outing for Moncton which earned its first-ever New Brunswick Division regular season title last year.
Eustace and McCarron will be teammates at the Atlantic University Sport level with Cape Breton University Capers.
A third Mystic – Eva Kalala – enjoyed a tremendous MWBA season for Moncton, bringing home 17 points per game. Her new home is Halifax where she will suit up with AUS Dalhousie University Tigers.
Ella Hoyt of the MWBA’s Halifax Hornets – she had 7.2 points per game and was named game MVP of the league’s Legacy Cup playoff third place game – will play in the AUS in Wolfville, NS, with Acadia University Axewomen.
A pair of Saint John’s Port City Fog will see familiar AUS faces. Cara Palk, author of 4.9 points a game, is in Lennoxville, QU, with the Bishop’s University Gaitors and Fog teammate Neve Pearson is with reigning AUS champion University of New Brunswick Reds. Pearson had 10 points a game with Port City after making her U SPORTS debut with Carleton University Ravens of Ottawa last year.
Emily MacNeil of Dartmouth/Cole Harbour/Preston’s Lake City 56ers is now in Antigonish with St. Francis Xavier University X-Women after departing Bishop’s. MacNeil counted seven points per game with Lake City.
Maika LeBlanc of MWBA’s Miramichi HerIcanes is in Charlottetown with University of Prince Edward Island Panthers at the AUS level.
Sophie Doiron of the MWBA’s Fredericton Freeze endured a tough spring and summer, injured in the first game of the season for the Fredericton Freeze. She certainly became familiar with Fredericton and will join Pearson with the Reds.
The MWBA will showcase new faces on Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association once rosters are finalized.
– Maddie Eustace enjoyed a banner rookie season with the MWBA’s Moncton Mystics. (Tanya Everett Photo)
