By Reegan MacAulay
The Holland Hurricanes’ basketball teams came close but fell short in their quest to bring home ACAA championship banners at the 2025 ACAA Basketball Championships in Saint John, N.B. this past weekend.
The women advanced to the championship game for the first time since 2017 on Sunday but lost heartbreakingly to the MSVU Mystics, while the men dropped their semifinal match to the hosting UNBSJ Seawolves on Saturday.
Here’s what went down in Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA) competition between Saturday, March 1 and Sunday, March 2.
Women’s Basketball
Before the women’s basketball Hurricanes’ semifinal game against the third-seed Mount Allison Mounties on Saturday, multiple players and the head coach were recognized during Friday’s season-end awards banquet.
Third-year guard Lauren Armstrong (Canberra, Australia) and fifth-year forward Alexa Rancourt (New Dominion, P.E.I.) were named to the 2024-25 ACAA First All-Conference Team. Rookie guard Nykeva Brown (Halifax, N.S.) was named to the 2024-25 ACAA Second All-Conference Team. For major awards, Armstrong was named the 2024-25 ACAA Player of the Year, Brown was named the 2024-25 ACAA Rookie of the Year, and head coach Chris Connolly was named the 2024-25 ACAA Coach of the Year. Congratulations to all!
On Saturday, the Hurricanes capitalized on a fantastic start to control most of the game. Their offense shined out of the gates in the first quarter, with Armstrong recording eight points and a three-pointer in a 21-14 effort by the final buzzer. In the second quarter, Holland’s balanced attack, a strong defensive effort by Brown and rookie guard Vataya Talbot (Truro, N.S.)., and a huge offensive boost by first-year guard Isabelle McGeoghegan (Charlottetown, P.E.I.), which included two three-pointers and eight points in the quarter, propelled the team’s lead to 41-28 by halftime.
Holland’s dominance continued into the third quarter, with Armstrong and Brown combining for 10 points. Despite a valiant effort by the Mounties, the Hurricanes forced four turnovers, allowing them to take advantage and score six points en route to a 59-45 lead heading into the fourth and final quarter. Mount Allison tried with all their might to close the gap as the final minutes approached, but Holland stayed strong, utilizing multiple free throws and maintaining their defensive stardom. A late jumper by McGeoghegan sealed the deal for the Hurricanes to advance to Sunday’s championship match, where they’d play the first-seed Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU) Mystics.
Armstrong led the Hurricanes on Saturday with 21 points, a 6-for-14 field-goal record, a 1-for-3 three-point record, an 8-for-13 free-throw record, seven rebounds, and four assists. McGeoghegan ended the game with 12 points, a 4-for-7 field-goal record, a 2-for-5 three-point record, a 2-for-4 free-throw record, and four rebounds. Brown added 10 pints, a 3-for-8 field-goal record, a 4-for-6 free-throw record, three assists, five rebounds, and three steals.
On Sunday, against a Mystics team that was looking to win their fifth ACAA championship within six seasons (excluding 2020-21, COVID-19), the Hurricanes came out of the gates with great firepower, building an early lead thanks to a combined 12-point effort by Rancourt and Brown. Holland led 18-12 at the final buzzer. In the second quarter, they were stunned by a big comeback rally by MSVU, whose offensive rhythm found its true form. Luckily, McGeoghegan came off the bench and cooled things down, scoring a crucial three-pointer and helping Holland to tie the score 38-38 at halftime.
The third quarter ultimately proved to be the game-decider, as the Mystics had another offensive explosion; this time, they recorded 27 points and only allowed 15 from Holland. Their defense also showed great improvement with numerous turnovers converted to valuable points. At the final buzzer, the Hurricanes were down 65-53.
They put forth a valiant effort in the fourth and final quarter knowing a championship was on the line, outscoring MSVU 14-12 with, notably, nine points combined from Brown and rookie guard Karissa George (New Glasgow, N.S.). Unfortunately, it was no use against a much more composed Mystics squad, who capitalized on free throws and clutch shooting en route to winning the game and the ACAA championship. McGeoghegan scored a three-pointer in the dying seconds but it wasn’t enough.
McGeoghegan led the Hurricanes with 15 points, a 3-for-12 field-goal record, a 3-for-8 three-point record, and a 6-for-7 free-throw record. Rancourt and fourth-year guard Amy Plaggenhoef (Stratford, P.E.I.) combined for 21 points, an 8-for-19 field-goal record, nine rebounds, and three assists.
The women’s basketball Hurricanes’ season is now over while the Mystics will represent the ACAA at the CCAA National Championships.
Stay tuned over the off-season as exciting roster news and recruits will be announced.
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Men’s Basketball
Ahead of the men’s basketball Hurricanes’ semifinal game against the third-seed University of New Brunswick Saint John (UNBSJ) Seawolves on Saturday, two players were recognized during Friday’s season-end awards banquet.
Fifth-year guard Bryce Corless (Quispamsis, N.B.) was named to the 2024-25 ACAA First All-Conference Team while second-year guard Aaron Simmons (Nassau, Bahamas) was named to the 2024-25 ACAA Second All-Conference Team. Congratulations to both players!
On Saturday, Holland and UNBSJ contested a tight match from start to finish. The Seawolves, looking to feed off their home crowd’s energy, held a close 16-15 lead after the first quarter. Simmons recorded six points in the quarter. In the second quarter, UNBSJ remained superior, outscoring the Hurricanes 20-15, which led to a 36-30 lead at halftime. While Holland kept things close and never let UNBSJ get too far ahead, their rhythm mightily struggled.
The Seawolves continued their push into the third quarter, outscoring Holland 20-18 and leading 56-48 into the fourth and final quarter. Simmons added another seven points in quarter three, trying his best to keep his team alive, but UNBSJ’s defense was unstoppable. The Hurricanes made one final push in quarter four to tighten the score, with Simmons and third-year guard Zachary Dawkins (Edmonton, Alberta) combining for 13 points in a last-ditch effort. Sadly, it wasn’t enough against UNBSJ’s phenomenal attack and clutch free throws, and the Hurricanes dropped the quarter 22-20 and the game 78-68.
Simmons led the Hurricanes with 19 points, a 9-for-19 field-goal record, four rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Dawkins added 12 points, a 5-for-12 field-goal record, a 2-for-5 three-point record, five rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocks. Third-year guard Dorrell Bedminster (Hamilton, Ontario) recorded 12 points, a 4-for-7 field-goal record, a 4-for-7 free-throw record, five rebounds, and three assists.
While the Hurricanes’ season ended, the Seawolves advanced to the championship final on Sunday, where they upset the first-seed MSVU Mystics to win their first-ever ACAA men’s basketball championship.
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