U-NEW BRUNSWICK FALL CLASSIC

HUSSON vs. LAVAL

Time, site: Saturday, noon (EST), at Lady Beaverbrook Gym, Fredericton, New Brunswick

Records (last season): Husson 23-5, Laval 21-8

Key players (last year’s stats): Husson – G Vicki Mazerall (11.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 4.0 apg, 4 spg), G Kristi Wildman (8.7 ppg), G Darci Collins (6.7 ppg), F Anne Cote (13.1 ppg, 5.0 rpg), F Steph Shaw (4.1 ppg), C Tara Leavitt; Laval – G Chantal Cantin, C Isabelle Turcotte, G Sophie Morin, F Isabelle Lausiere.

Outlook: The surprising return of Mazzerall will bolster a tough Husson backcourt. Along with Wildman and Collins, the Braves’ backcourt averaged almost 10 steals per game a year ago. Laval University of Sainte-Foy, Quebec, lost two of the starting five, one an All-Canada player. Two keys will be Turcotte, a 6-foot center, and Morin, a 5-0 point guard who will have to face Husson’s press. Wildman and reserve guard Angeline Grant have been hampered with nagging back injuries. Husson transfer (from Thomas) guard Stacy Hafford will redshirt this season, her junior year. Husson has been ranked 12th in the NAIA Div. II preseason poll.

U-NEW BRUNSWICK vs. CAPE BRETON

Time, site: Saturday, 7 p.m., at Lady Beaverbrook Gym, Fredericton, New Brunswick

Records (last season): U-New Brunswick 22-8, Cape Breton 1-15

Key players: UNB – F Kara Palmer, G Jill Jackson, C Laura Swift, F Jackie Flieger; Cape Breton – G Leslie Hill, F Angela Hill, F Kerrie Ann Pyke, C Coralie Murphy

Outlook: The Red Bloomers of UNB, which has beaten Husson the last three times the teams have met, are a sound fundamental unit that won the Atlantic Univerity Athletic Association title last year and was ranked as the fifth-best team in Canada. Palmer is a go-to player inside, who will be moving outside this season thanks to a good recruiting class. Cape Breton, in its fifth season of women’s basketball, is small (nobody taller than 5-11) and in a rebuilding year. This should be your typical host-team, pick-your-opponent blowout.

Tourney schedule: Consolation game is Sunday at 9 a.m., championship game is at 1 p.m.