There were plenty of celebrations on the TD Station hardwood as the Maritime Women’s Basketball Association drew the curtain down on a remarkable 2023 season.
The league’s second year of operation saw the Halifax Thunder complete a season to remember, capturing its first MWBA title and keeping the Legacy Cup in Nova Scotia.
Last year’s winner was the Halifax Hornets.
The Thunder defeated hometown Port City Fog of Saint John, 102-93 in front of 1,079 fans at TD Station, a game that wasn’t decided until the final 82 seconds.
Halifax finished the season 12-0 including a 10-0 regular season.
In 24 franchise games, Halifax is 23-1 including the post-season.
Despite the Thunder’s team dominance, Port City power forward Kaylee Kilpatrick was named regular season MVP.
Kilpatrick, the former University of New Hampshire Wildcat and veteran European and Australian pro, was a dominating force at both ends of the floor this season.
She paced the league in scoring with 18.3 points per game and her defence thwarted many opposition attacks with her play in the paint.
Thunder’s Karissa Kajorinne was playoff MVP, a 25-point performance in the final sealing that award.
MWBA all-stars were Courtney Thompson of the Fog. Thunder’s Kajorinne, Robbi Daley of Fredericton Freeze, Isa MacKay of Windsor Edge, Hornets’ Courtney Donaldson and Lia St. Pierre of Moncton Mystics.
– Kaylee Kilpatrick and some minor basketball friends celebrate her MVP award (DWinston Photo)
