Griffins Open Season at Home to St.Mary's

The new look Griffins will grace home floor for the first time on Friday, under the leadership of new head coach, Eric Magdanz. Like the troops he leads into battle, Magdanz embraces the idea of player development being a priority in his coaching style. Righty so, for a team geared for being promoted to the CIS. Magdanz takes over for a Griffins team that finished fourth after reaching the ACAC Bronze Medal game but ultimately falling to NAIT by a lopsided 97-67.

Their season opener away from home at Red Deer college ended in a loss, but it gave Griffs fans something to look forward to this season, some Griffins playing their inaugural game in the ACAC.  An energetic team is fun to watch regardless of their place in the standings --see Denver Nuggets. This collective energy should surely fill seats. This year’s fresh roster includes all the ingredients to successful team, size, depth, energy and a collective ability to shoot. Although, early in the season defense seems to be a hole the Griffins will be looking to fill. Last week at RDC they allowed the Kings to hoist 76 shots, to their 58, RDC’s top scorer Robert Pierce would take 11 of his team’s field goal attempts. By the final buzzer he’d made mincemeat of the Griffins defense, shooting a stellar 0.636 and leading Red Deer’s offensive charge with 29 points.

Obviously to take the next step in contending, the Griffins have to keep points off the board. But like any team-- from championship to cellar dweller-- a team gets to where they’re at in time.

Despite their problems keeping points off the board, there are a couple players that can make their numbers in the box score sparkle; such as Tyler wise who dropped 19 points in the loss to RDC, including 2 from beyond the arc. Tough to say early on whether or not he will be the one leading the Griffs offensive charge, but he's on my radar for sure for Friday's contest against

St. Mary's.