Basketball is a small world.
One minute you’re thinking one thing, next minute a contact from the past can help change your mind.
Exactly what happened to Courtney Cain-Nordin this past season.
Cain-Nordin was fully preparing to play her third season in the Maritime Women’s Basketball Association. She had chosen to remain in the Halifax area, figuring out which team she would reach out to in order to earn a roster spot.
Funny thing happened along the way.
After previously playing with the Dartmouth/Cole Harbour/Preston Lake City 56ers, Cain-Nordin had forged a kinship with then associate coach, Lonny States.
When States was named head coach of the MWBA expansion Truro Tidal Queens, Cain-Nordin was one of the first players he reached out to in order to start building his roster.
‘Closer to the start of last season, I was in contact with Lonnie and he let me know he was going to be the head coach of the league’s newest team in Truro,’ said Cain-Nordin. ‘He asked me to play for him and he’s such a great coach and person, it was an easy decision to play for the Tidal Queens, despite having to travel further.’
States knew the expansion season was going to be challenging.
The MWBA is good.
Very good.
The veteran coach wanted a player with experience, someone who had an edge and could try and help calm the waters in a turbulent sea of competition.
‘Our coaching staff did look at me as a veteran who could bring experience,’ she said. ‘Lonnie especially made sure I needed to help lead the team and help bring some structure and confidence as well.’
The Tidal Queens went 0-10 in their first season.
Cain-Nordin paced all Truro scorers 86 points, adding to her totals from two previous seasons.
She sits 46th all-time on the MWBA scoring list.
Cain-Nordin said the year was challenging, but she had made a promise to herself before the first ball went in the air.
‘I only had one expectation and that was to have fun, which I did,’ said the mother of two young boys. ‘We wanted to win some games, but that didn’t happen. I’m definitely a glass half full type of person so I’m not mad at the outcome. It just means we can only get better and next season we will be ready.’
Cain-Nordin appeared in 46 games for the Atlantic University Sport Saint Mary’s University Huskies, amassing 172 points out of Citadel High School in Halifax during her collegiate years. She would finish her post-secondary career with Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association’s Holland College Hurricanes of Charlottetown.
She is definitely returning to the Tidal Queens’ fold as the MWBA prepares to open its sixth season of action next April.
That’s great news for the Tidal Queens and their head coach.
‘Courtney was instrumental for us this past season where she became a leader in our locker room and in the community,’ said States. ‘Courtney on the court was an extension of the coaching staff and she flourished in that role as we tried to find ourselves as a team. I have had the privilege to coach many players over the years and Courtney ranks right up there with all of them.’
It was certainly a sigh of relief when Cain-Nordin told the staff she would be returning for 2027.
‘I’m excited to put the work in with my girls, my coaching and our owners,’ said Cain-Nordin. ‘Despite our challenges, we were able to remain a unit and have fun. It’s a no brainer for me to return.
She also felt, despite the record, the Tidal Queens made an impact.
It’s never easy finding a new identity, but Truro fans were curious and certainly saw the level of play the MWBA provides.
‘It was nice to meet some new people and see the young talent in Truro,’ said Cain-Nordin. ‘More people are aware of the Truro Tidal Queens now. I bet they are curious to see what changes will be made for 2027 season.’
Cain-Nordin loves the game and understands training, practicing and playing is a lifestyle choice.
She doesn’t have to play in the MWBA.
She wants to play.
‘It certainly helps me keep in shape, so I just keep playing,’ she said. ‘I really appreciate the league giving a more professional platform for female hoopers apart from university basketball or travelling overseas.’
Her boys keep her hopping, but Cain-Nordin is showcasing another skillset these days.
She always braided her own hair and thought ‘why not branch out?’
‘One of my jobs is braiding and where I’ve been doing my own hair for some time, I decided to take it more seriously,’ she said. ‘Once I did that, I am taking on clients and am a travelling braider.’
Want to check out her work?
View her Instagram page under @braidwithcc
Just another very cool story when it comes to Faces of the MWBA.
– Courtney Cain-Nordin is a key leader with Truro Tidal Queens. (DW Photo)
