The run for Maritime Women’s Basketball Association supremacy opens tonight in Dartmouth, NS.
That’s where the hometown Lake City 56ers, MWBA regular season champions, welcome Halifax Hornets in opening round play.
With three teams in Nova Scotia, the winner of tonight’s game goes automatically to the PRO•LINE Legacy Cup championship in Fredericton, June 21-22. The loser of the game remains alive and will have a second chance to advance by playing second place Halifax Thunder on Friday.
That game is set for 7 p.m. at Saint Mary’s University.
New Brunswick playoffs open Saturday when provincial No. 1 seed Miramichi Her-Icanes host Port City Fog of Saint John at 6 p.m. That game will be played at Miramichi Valley High School.
The other NB semifinal is Sunday night at 7 p.m. between host Fredericton Freeze and Moncton Mystics.
That game is set for Fredericton High School.
The following is a capsule of tonight’s game between Lake City and the Hornets:
Playoff matches
Game 1
Who? – Halifax Hornets (4-6) at Lake City 56ers (8-2)
When? – Thursday, June 12, 7:30 p.m.
Where? – Zatzman Sportsplex, Dartmouth, NS
Head-to-Head – Lake City 2-1 (57-55, Lake City, May 10), (76-56, Lake City, May 18), (56-51, Halifax, June 8.
Points For – Lake City – 718, Halifax – 618
Points Against – Lake City – 578 Halifax – 698
Who to Watch For: 56ers: Lake City can throw up points, but also knows how to defend as witnessed all season long. The 56ers have the league’s second top point-getter in MacKenzie Smith and her 18.2 points per game. Courtney Donaldson can shoot the lights out and sits amongst the league’s all-time leading scorers, second overall, in fact. Lauren Armstrong averaged just under 10 points per game. The offence runs through point guard Aki Kobayashi, who finds multiple ways to get the ball to the offence. Darah Felurgin is an absolute disrupter with speed, length and quick hands.
Who to Watch For: Hornets: The Hornets fought for consistency this season, leaving many wondering which version will pull on the uniforms Thursday. A 4-6 record may be misleading as Halifax won some big games against tough teams. Amanda Pearcey averages just under 33 minutes a game and just under a dozen points each outing. Leave her alone outside the three and pay the consequences. Veteran Jasmine Parent provides a plethora of experience and leadership, Katelyn Power grabs boards and blocks and Melina Collins is steady as rain. Keep an eye on Chloe Oxner, capable of breaking out.
Synopsis: Lake City loves to run and gun and can knock down corner threes to go on offensive runs. If it’s a shootout, the game favours the 56ers. If the Hornets can keep the score in the 50s, there is a chance of an upset.
Can’t Make it Live? – Watch the game through Maritime Athletic Profiles at – https://www.youtube.com/live/dDPkeaCOboA?si=XegQSSPS19WZ94Ak
– Lake City’s Zoe Olscamp and the 56ers host Halifax Hornets Thursday in playoff action. (TC Sports Media Photo)
