Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – A promising trio of new recruits has the potential to make an impact right out of the gate for the MacEwan Griffins women's basketball team in 2022-23.
On Friday, head coach Katherine Adams announced that Toki Tsuzuki, Mackenzie McIntyre and Toni Gordon will join the squad for Canada West play next fall.
Tsuzuki's addition continues Adams' strong recruiting pipeline from her hometown in Calgary as the William Aberhart point guard is set to join summer training partner Noelle Kilbreath on the Griffins.
"Knowing Noelle and her work ethic and seeing how they push and challenge each other in training in the summer really was the first step in us saying, 'here's someone we need to pay attention to,' " explained Adams. "Seeing her play over the last year – spring, summer and this fall so far – has really confirmed that she's going to be a big piece of who we are moving forward."
With starting Griffins' point guard Mady Chamberlin set to graduate after this season, Tsuzuki has a chance to earn immediate minutes in 2022-23.
"We're really excited about what she brings to the table," said Adams. "She is a playmaking point guard with really good vision, really good IQ and I think she's someone who's going to come in and make an impact right away.
"She knows where the ball needs to go and has a really great skill set being able to deliver it on time and on target," Adams continued. "She has a really great motor and I think fits into our up-tempo play style – being able to run, push and defend. She comes from a really great developmental program in Calgary, so we know she's had some really great coaching up to this point and are really excited to carry that on with her as a Griffin."
Mackenzie McIntyre has the ability to score in multiple ways from the guard position (Jaelyn Birch photo).
McIntyre, a 6-foot guard from Swift Current, Sask., reached out to Adams and sent her video. It didn't take long for the Griffins head coach to get excited in realizing her potential.
"We started a conversation and really have developed a great connection," said Adams. "She's really developed a great connection with our girls here.
"She's not only a great basketball player but just a really great fit with our program – who we are and where we want to go."
Film study revealed that McIntyre has the ability to score from everywhere on the court.
"She is a dynamic scorer," said Adams. "It's been pretty tricky for this graduating class because they didn't have a Grade 11 year, so there wasn't a lot of game film or opportunity for coaches to see them play. For me, seeing her Grade 10 game film was automatic – 'yes, she has something that's going to make us better.'
"Mackenzie has the ability to score in a lot of different ways and I think will fit into the style and system that we play and also look to step in and fill some roles of people who are graduating in the next couple years."
Toni Gordon brings strong athleticism to the forward position (Jaelyn Birch photo).
Gordon, a 5-foot-9 forward, played with current Griffin Erin Howes at Edmonton's Strathcona, consistently putting her athletic ability on tape throughout high school.
"She's just a dynamic athlete," said Adams. "It's impressive to watch her quickness, jumping ability and the impact that has on the game. We're really excited to work with her and develop her basketball skills to maximize the athleticism she brings to the table.
"On top of that, she's just an unbelievable person," she added. "She's such a great personality and brings a lot to the table character-wise. It's a lot to build our culture moving forward, as well."
