Jefferson Hagen / MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – If Katherine Adams could bottle the intensity and energy her team showed in the second half against Lethbridge their last time out, she'd have a squad that could compete with anyone in the Canada West women's basketball ranks.
On the flip side, though, she also has a young team learning how to maintain intensity and consistent production throughout an entire 40-minute game.
Which is why the Griffins are still searching for their first win of the season as they travel to Manitoba (one of five other teams who are also 0-4) this weekend for contests on Friday (5 p.m. MT) and Saturday (4 p.m. MT, both games Canada West TV).
"When you have a young team, consistency's always going to be an issue," said Adams. "Instead of a good first half Friday night and a good second half Saturday, we're looking to string together maybe not 40 minutes – that ideally is the goal – but let's see if we can put together 30 solid minutes on Friday night and repeat, maybe a little more on Saturday."
The Griffins had success late in last Saturday's game against Lethbridge when rookies Shannon Majeau and Hallie Watt created a presence inside, allowing fifth-year Paige Knull to flourish from the outside and pot 24 points.
"They definitely have earned more playing time," said Adams. "I think every practice, every week, they're getting better. Just getting accustomed to the pace of play, the physicality helps them be able to perform in a game situation. I think they're doing a great job."
For all seven of the Griffins' freshmen, they're only going to get better as they play more.
"You come in as an 18-year-old and you can't help experience. You only gain experience from playing in the league for four years," said Adams. "So, you come in as an 18-year-old and it's not your fault that you're not strong enough or quick enough. There's no other way to get accustomed to that than just playing.
"Now they've had some more time under their belts, they've experienced some success and can see 'OK, I can compete and contribute. I can help our team be successful.' "
There's certainly an opportunity for success against the Bisons, who have so far lost twice to Saskatchewan (2-0) and twice to Regina (2-0). The Griffins have lost twice to Thompson Rivers (4-0) and twice to Lethbridge (4-0).
"I think that they're similar to us in a lot of ways in that they have some long, athletic forwards, really like to attack the rim, move the ball and create opportunities that way," said Adams of Manitoba. "They play some good team basketball, so that will be good for us to be able to compete and play against that."
