Lethbridge – The addition of six new faces to the Lethbridge Pronghorn women's basketball team has a renewed sense of optimism around the program as the 'Horns kick-off the 2016-17 Canada West season this weekend hosting the MacEwan Griffins.
 
The Pronghorns and Griffins will square off Friday night at 6:00pm and Saturday at 5:00pm at the 1^st Choice Savings Centre. Both games will be streamed live at www.canadawest.tv, home of all Canada West webcasts.
 
In the Canada West coaches poll released this week, the 'Horns were ranked 13^th out 17 schools that participate in basketball, while the Griffins came in at 15^th.
 
While the 'Horns added six recruits this season, second-year guard Katie Keith will be a key to the 'Horns success. As a freshman she led the 'Horns in points (9.3 ppg), rebounds (6.8 rpg) and assists (2.4 apg).
 
Among the new comers, the 'Horns have added a good mix of experience and youth, but the team's biggest addition this offseason, Kacie Bosch, who transferred from Gonzaga, will miss the season due to injury.
 
Jessica Bachynski also joins the 'Horns with NCAA Division 1 experience playing two seasons at Utah Valley University and the Calgary, AB native, brings a great mix of size and shooting ability.
 
Also expected to make an impact this season are Junior College transfer Katie Hankins (Lower Columbia College) and true freshman Isabelle Rattai (Medicine Hat High School)
 
After finishing the season 17-3 last year, the MacEwan Griffins had a change at the top and welcome first-year head coach Katherine Adams.
 
Last season, the Griffins qualified for the Canada West final four, losing in the semifinal to the Regina Cougars and the bronze medal game to the Alberta Pandas.
 
The third ranked offense a season ago, averaging 74.4 points, the Griffins graduated leading scorer Megan Wood, who finished tied for the Canada West scoring lead with 18.4 points per game. The Griffins also had the top ranked team defense, only allowing 55.8 points a game last season.
 
The Griffins also graduated their top rebounder and blocks leader, Kelly Fagan, who averaged 9.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game to go along with 10.3 points per contest.
 
The 'Horns will face the Mount Royal Cougars next weekend in a home-and-home series starting next Thursday in Calgary. The back half of the home-and-home will go Saturday night in Lethbridge.
 
-30-