The Miramichi Her-icanes are serving notice they are a force to be reckoned with.
All teams who play the ‘Canes certainly know there is a backcourt star that is a force to be reckoned with.
Lauren Rainford was named the MWBA’s Royale Player of the Week Award winner for her efforts last weekend, sparking Miramichi to two wins and stretching its winning streak to seven games.
Royale is a founding partner of the MWBA and has been with the league since its inception in 2022.
The Her-icanes have not lost since opening day when they were defeated by the Lake City 56ers of Dartmouth/Cole Harbour.
Now, both teams sit with identical 7-1 marks atop the standings entering this week’s final games of the regular season.
Rainford had 19 points, nine rebounds and six steals and was a plus 22 in Sunday’s 62-44 win over visiting Halifax Hornets. The previous night in a dramatic 76-74 road win over Fredericton Freeze, the reigning MWBA MVP had 25 points and seven rebounds.
Others nominated for the Royale award included Eavan McLaughlin of Moncton Mystics, Melina Collins from the Hornets, Sami Russell from Halifax Thunder, McKinley Bezanson from Saint John’s Port City Fog and Bailey Russell of Fredericton.
This week’s action kicks off Wednesday with a key game in Halifax when the Thunder welcomes Lake City to Saint Mary’s University for a 7 p.m. clash. Thunder is hot and sits
On Saturday, Miramichi visits Thunder – this game is at Dalhousie University – at 7 p.m. while Freeze visits Port City at the same time at University of New Brunswick at Saint John.
The regular season wraps up Sunday with Lake City meeting the Hornets at 2 p.m. at Mount St. Vincent University followed by Miramichi at Port City at 3 p.m., the day ending with a 4 p.m. tilt in Halifax with the Mystics meeting the Thunder at DalPlex.
Playoff seedings and schedule will be announced after weekend play as teams prepare for a shot at the ProLine Legacy Cup championship, set for Fredericton, June 21 to 22.
– Lauren Rainford is one of the MWBA’s top players again this season. (Northumberland News File Photo)
