2025-26 Final 12 Predictions - Varsity Girls

A Girls

Fredericton Christian Academy vs. Petitcodiac Regional School

If you were drawing this bracket back in November, this matchup wouldn’t shock you.

Petitcodiac Regional School and Fredericton Christian Academy have looked like the class of A girls basketball for most of the season. Both separated themselves early and have carried that consistency into championship weekend. FCA arrives after cruising through the SW Sectional with two decisive victories. Petitcodia were tested in the NE sectional final. A scrappy Harvey squad pushed the Panthers to the brink before escaping with a three-point win. Petitcodiac has been steady and disciplined all year. They defend, they rebound, and they rarely beat themselves. They have good size and length and are very physical. FCA is led by all-star Oluchi Ezeokafor. Petitcodiac better find a way to keep her out of transition if they want to have a chance at this one. Season series? FCA took two of three. This one will feel like a chess match. FCA will play man-to-man base defense but expect to see a lot of full-court zone press falling back into a 1-3-1 zone, looking to create tempo and live-ball turnovers. Petitcodiac will be in a big 2-3 zone protecting the paint and liikely to sprinkle in 2-2-1 three-quarter-court pressure.They would be comfortable in a half-court grind. The key could come down to perimeter shooting. Both teams are structured defensively. Both are comfortable packing it in. Whichever group can stretch the defense and knock down outside shots may gain the separation needed. If FCA’s press generates rhythm, they could open a gap. If Petitcodiac controls tempo and limits turnovers, this stays tight deep into the fourth.

Prediction

We’re hoping this one comes down to the final minutes.

But if you’re making us choose, slight edge to FCA.

Fredericton Christian Academy 56 – Petitcodiac 44

A competitive battle early, with FCA creating just enough separation late to secure the banner.

AA Girls

Woodstock High School vs. Carleton North High School

If you’re from Carleton County, this might feel like a home game.

Woodstock High School vs. Carleton North High School are the two clear heavyweights of AA girls all season long and will meet for what feels like an inevitable championship clash. Woodstock entered the year as the paper favourite. But results matter, and Carleton North has won the last three matchups, including a decisive 71–39 victory in the SW Regional final. That result? Likely an anomaly. Every other meeting has been tight, physical, and decided late. Expect this one to look much more like those battles than the regional scoreline. WHS handled business in the NE Sectional in Miramichi, imposing their will on both Fundy and MVHS. When they’re locked in defensively, they can suffocate opponents. CNHS survived a gritty Sectional battle against Salisbury Regional, grinding out a nine-point win. That type of pressure-tested performance matters heading into a championship game. Noella Thomas factor, Carleton North’s point guard and floor general will likely log heavy minutes. This is nothing new for her. Her ability to control tempo, break pressure, and settle her team in critical moments will be central to the outcome. Addison Lovely’s momentum coming off a 42-point explosion in the sectional final, Lovely has shown she can take over a game offensively. If she finds rhythm early, it shifts defensive focus and opens space for others. Woodstock’s starting five you could argue stacks up with anyone in the province, perhaps only rivaled by Mathieu Martin in overall talent. They bring athleticism, scoring punch, and defensive intensity. Their calling card? Full-court pressure man-to-man defense designed to create chaos and easy transition points. Can Woodstock solve Carleton North’s 2-3 zone? CNHS leaned heavily on that zone in their three wins over Woodstock. It forced WHS into perimeter jumpers and limited dribble penetration. If Woodstock can’t generate turnovers with their pressure defense, this may come down to shot-making from the outside. Zone offense execution will be everything.

Prediction

This one feels like a coin flip.

Carleton North brings veteran leadership and matchup confidence. Woodstock brings youth, hunger, and the memory of being here last year.

If you’re making us pick, and that’s what we’re here for:

Carleton North 64 – Woodstock 62

A possession game. A final-minute stop. And half of Carleton County celebrating deep into Saturday evening.

AAA Girls

Riverview High School vs. L’école Mathieu-Martin

Let’s call it what it is, the Vedettes have been the gold standard in AAA girls basketball all season. They have yet to lose to a New Brunswick opponent. The target has been on their backs since November, and they’ve handled it with authority. The question now: can Riverview hand them their first NB loss in the final game of the season? EMM took both Eastern Conference matchups, but the most recent meeting was just six points, 65–59.That’s not domination. That’s a door cracked open, potentially. If Riverview is going to pull off the upset, it likely starts and perhaps ends with Maddie Eustace! She dropped 40 in the sectional semifinal against Trimble. When she’s in rhythm, she can take over games at this level. She’ll need another massive performance Saturday night.

But here’s the problem: Coach LeBlanc and the Vedettes will absolutely game plan to limit her touches, crowd her driving lanes, and force the ball out of her hands. Which brings us to the bigger question: If Eustace is slowed, can the other Royals consistently score enough to stay within striking distance? RHS was tested early in their sectional run, pushed by Trimble before cruising past Rothesay in the final. EMM was business as usual, handling Moncton High and then dominated Fredericton High in the sectional final. Composure matters at Harbour Station. Riverview is playing its best basketball of the season. They’re confident, they’re connected and they could be peaking at the right time. However EMM has been elite all year, balance, defensive discipline, and offensive firepower across multiple players. If this is tight heading into the fourth quarter, the pressure shifts. For the first time all season, EMM would feel real heat. The key is whether Riverview can get it there.

Prediction

We love the way the Royals are playing.

We love the competitiveness of this matchup.

But until someone proves they can knock off the Vedettes, it’s hard to pick against them.

EMM 67 – Riverview 60

The Vedettes cap an undefeated New Brunswick season with a championship and capture the championship that eluded them at the Final 12 last year.