Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics

EDMONTON – When her uncle was in his heyday as a Major League Baseball pitcher, Noelle Kilbreath was just a toddler.

Chris Reitsma played seven seasons for the Cincinnati Reds, Atlanta Braves and Seattle Mariners from 2001-07 as one of the most successful Albertans ever to hit the big stage in MLB.

"He was retired by the time I got old enough to realize how cool it was," said Kilbreath. "But he's been really supportive, just with the mental part of the game.

"I think there are few positions (in sports) that are as high pressure as being a professional pitcher in the major leagues. He has some crazy stories, not only with what he was able to do, but just playing with the most competitive (players) at the highest level. 

"So, he has a really good brain to pick about just sports, managing pressure and how to meet expectations. I'm really happy to have him."

Reitsma, who is retired and living back in his hometown of Calgary, was able to see his niece play during recent road trips the Griffins made to Mount Royal University and the University of Calgary earlier this month. 

Kilbreath put on a show, scoring 68 points over the four matches.

"I do like playing in Calgary," she said. "It's super fun. I'm so lucky to have such a supportive family and group of people there who come to watch me play. 

"The last three games, in particular, I've felt like something's clicked and the game's really slowed down. It's felt easier to just make reads and my teammates have been really good at finding me and giving me space to do my thing. 

"But I also just think I've been able to find them, too," she added. "The last couple of games I've had some assists, which has been the biggest thing I'm proud of over the last couple of weekends. So, I'm hoping to just keep that going in the next couple of weeks and see what we can do as a team."

Currently tops on the Griffins in scoring, averaging 16.0 points per game, Kilbreath will lead them into a home weekend series vs. Winnipeg on Friday (6 p.m.) and Saturday (6 p.m., both David Atkinson Gym, Canada West TV).

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"She's at that point now where the game's really slowed down for her," said Griffins head coach Katherine Adams. "She's invested a lot of time studying film and working on her skills, just really learning the game, and understanding the game. 

"You can see how it's benefitted her over the last couple of years because her game has grown tremendously and obviously it's showing itself in the impact she has on the court."

Noelle Kilbreath scored 68 points in four November road games in Calgary against the Dinos (above) and Mount Royal Cougars (David Moll photo).

The Griffins have adopted a point guard by committee approach in 2022-23, using Kilbreath, Hayley Lalor, and rookie Toki Tsuzuki in that spot, depending on various game situations. Kilbreath also plays at the shooting guard spot.

"Noelle's really picking her moments and knowing when she has an opportunity to create and score, and when it's the right time to facilitate and distribute to her teammates," said Adams. "That's another area I think you can see tremendous growth is in her facilitation and distribution, finding teammates."

With Kilbreath one of the Griffins' 'Big Four' – alongside fellow veterans Mackenzie Farmer, Lalor, and Shannon Majeau – she's also taken on a leadership role, helping to get a roster filled with nine first- and second-year players up to speed at the Canada West level.

"It's been really interesting," said Kilbreath. "We do have some really talented rookies, so for me this year, it's stepping into a leadership role in a different way than before because … it's now down to the four of us (veterans). I think we're just trying to find ways to get the best out of them, to play free and know their roles, but also recognize that it's a big jump into the U SPORTS level from an IQ piece. You just can't get away with things you could when you were younger. 

"It's just trying to make them know they're so valued and we need them to do what they do well. Each of them brings something different and special and they're all going to be good. So, it's just seeing how to best encourage them on the court."

The Griffins will need everyone to find success against the Wesmen, who are just a few months removed from winning a U SPORTS silver medal. They've had some turnover since then, but currently boast the leading scorer in Canada West – Kyanna Giles, who is averaging 22.5 points per game.

"They have some dynamic scorers and just some savvy veteran players who are always tough to play against," said Adams. "You know with Winnipeg you're always going to get a tough, scrappy group that's always going to compete. We have to show up and be our best selves."