Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Reconvening after a long break, the Griffins women's basketball team had just two days of practice before getting thrown into the fire.
The U SPORTS No. 5-ranked Calgary Dinos paid a visit to MacEwan for a pair of non-conference matches Dec. 29-30, winning both 76-31 and 68-35, respectively.
Most importantly, the Griffins were able to test themselves against another top opponent as they sharpen up for a tough second semester of basketball, starting with a road series at cross-town rival Alberta (the U SPORTS No. 3) on Friday (6 p.m.) and Saturday (5 p.m., both Saville Centre, Canada West TV).
"You're playing the No. 5-ranked team in the country," said Adams of Calgary. "Obviously, they're a team that presses for 40 minutes and is long and athletic.
"It was a really great opportunity for us to kind of get throw into the fire and get back to it and get all of the not-so-nice things that come with not competing in three weeks out of the way so that hopefully we're a little bit better prepared to head to Alberta this weekend.
"We're really excited to head into the weekend having had some competition for two days in a row.
MacEwan has already faced U SPORTS No. 2 Saskatchewan back on Nov. 10-11, but more games against the best teams will only serve to help the young Griffins team improve for the future.
"Whenever you play teams that are one of the top teams in our conference, it sets a standard," said Adams. "Here's how the best are doing it, so to be able to play against that, to play at that intensity, it certainly sets you up for success moving forward.
"We approached those games as a learning opportunity to work out some things in our offence and try different things defensively and see where we could find some success. We're looking forward to putting it to work this weekend."
It will also mark the first Battle of Edmonton for several players on MacEwan's roster, which features six players in their first year of university eligibility.
"It is the first time for them playing in their gym against them," said Adams. "It's always fun. It's a bit different when you were teammates once or have played against them or have a little bit more history against the people wearing the opposite-coloured jersey.
"And usually, we get good crowds. It's always a fun environment to go there and play and just compete."
