Lauren Rainford is the reigning Maritime Women’s Basketball Association MVP after her stellar 2024 season with the Miramichi Hericanes.
Rainford was a dominant MWBA player with the ‘Canes and returned to the University of Prince Edward Island for the 2024-25 Atlantic University Sport Women’s Basketball Conference season with the Panthers.
She hasn’t taken her foot off the pedal since.
Please see the UPEI’s feature story on Rainford becoming UPEI’s all-time leading scorer.
The MWBA thanks UPEI and writer Thomas Becker for the feature:
By Thomas Becker
In December 2018, newly appointed head coach Matt Gamblin embarked on a crucial recruiting trip to Toronto, searching for an athletic and versatile wing player who could elevate his program. His target? A promising talent named Lauren Rainford. He didn’t know then that he wasn’t just recruiting a player—he was securing the future of UPEI women’s basketball.
Six years later, Rainford has etched her name into the program’s history books, becoming the Panthers’ all-time leading regular season scorer. She surpassed the legendary Jenna Mae Ellsworth’s record of 1,380 points on a free throw with 3:52 remaining in the third quarter of Saturday evening’s contest, cementing her status as one of UPEI’s all-time greats.
“It’s a testament to her relentless dedication and the countless hours in the gym over six years. It’s hugely commendable,” Gamblin said.
Rainford emerged as a foundational piece of the program during her rookie season, contributing to the Panthers’ U SPORTS bronze medal run in 2020. Since then, she has continued to elevate her game, culminating in this historic achievement.
“My role changed a lot over the years. As a rookie on a strong team, I was able to find my place while the attention was on others,” Rainford reflected. “I had the privilege of learning from great leaders, and I’ve tried to model my leadership style after them.”
Reflecting on the moment, Rainford expressed appreciation for surpassing the record held by Ellsworth, with whom she shared an AUS championship and countless battles in practice.
“If you had told me in my first year that this would happen, I would’ve said you’re crazy,” Rainford admitted. “With the daily battles we fought in practice, I wasn’t even sure if I was cut out for this. But I know she’s happy for me, and there’s no one else I’d rather be in the company with.”
Making the occasion even more special, the Panthers secured a commanding 75-58 victory over the Memorial Sea-Hawks.
Rainford led all scorers with 21 points, adding six rebounds, three assists, three steals, and a block. Grace Lancaster – who plays in the MWBA with the Halifax Thunder – provided strong support with 17 points, four rebounds, and four assists, while Devon Lawlor chipped in with 12 points. Lawlor was also Rainford’s teammate last summer with Miramichi, part of a strong Panthers’ contingent with the Hericanes.
The AUS will host its championship at the end of the month in Halifax.
– Miramichi’s Lauren Rainford in MWBA action (DWinston Photo)