LETHBRIDGE – The Pronghorns open the 2026-27 Canada West basketball season on home court this weekend, welcoming the Regina Cougars to the Co-op Centre for Sport and Wellness for a pair of doubleheaders on Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31.
The women's game tips off at 5:30 p.m. each night, followed by the men's matchup at 7:30 p.m. With both programs looking to establish themselves early in the conference schedule, the opening weekend offers the Pronghorns an opportunity to set the tone in front of their home crowd.
Women's Basketball
The Horns enter the season ranked 15th in the Canada West Coaches Poll after finishing 5-15 in 2025-26. Head coach Dave Waknuk will look to build on a year of transition, with nine returning players providing a foundation for the season ahead.
Fifth-year guard Piper Dobbelsteyn and fourth-year guard Courtney McKee will lead the returning group, alongside Rae Wedman and Kadie Anderson, who are expected to take on key roles. With three new players joining the roster, the Pronghorns will look to push the pace, use their quickness and create opportunities at both ends of the floor.
"After a season with a lot of roster turnover, we're excited to have nine players returning and to build on that continuity. Piper Dobbelsteyn and Courtney McKee will bring valuable experience, while Rae Wedman, Kadie Anderson and our other young players will have opportunities to take on bigger roles. We're looking forward to seeing this group continue to grow together and develop our style of play," said Waknuk.
Regina finished 17-3 last season and enters the new campaign ranked ninth in the coaches poll. The Cougars advanced to the Canada West semifinals in 2026, defeating UBC Okanagan in the quarterfinals before falling 74-68 to UBC. The Pronghorns will look to rebound against Regina after dropping both meetings last November, falling 79-28 and 101-48 on the road. Lethbridge will look to make a stronger showing in front of its home crowd as the two teams open the new season.
Men's Basketball
On the men's side, the Horns enter the season ranked 11th in the Canada West Coaches Poll after posting a 7-13 record in 2025-26. With seven newcomers joining a group featuring just five returning players, head coach Kenny Otieno's squad will focus on building chemistry, improving consistency and establishing its identity as the season gets underway.
Third-year guard Dray Walburger will be an important piece of the lineup, bringing scoring ability, playmaking and defensive versatility as the Pronghorns work to build chemistry with a largely new roster.
"We have a talented young group that is extremely competitive," said Otieno. "With only five returning players and the majority of our roster consisting of new players, we are continuing to build our chemistry week to week and game to game. Excited for this group as we look to focus on the process of getting better every day and let the results follow."
Regina finished 9-11 last season and enters the year ranked 10th in the coaches poll. The Cougars also face roster changes, with fourth-year guard Cade Mather among the key returning players after leading the team with 35 steals last season.
The Pronghorns split their two meetings with Regina last season, opening the series with a 70-65 win before falling 105-84 in the second game. Lethbridge will look to carry the momentum of that opening victory into this weekend's home series.
