Rising talent Goerzen could be a diamond in the rough for Griffins out of rural Alberta
Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – With the progress and improvement, she's shown since first starting to play basketball in December 2023, new Griffins recruit Ellie Mae Goerzen has great potential to keep rising as her Canada West career kicks off in 2025-26.
She may be just scratching the surface on her talent level, said head coach Katherine Adams.
"Ellie Mae is very new to the game, but her athleticism and the growth she showed in the last year has just been incredible," said Adams. "We're really excited to get her into our program and continue to see her progress, and add some more length and athleticism to our roster."
Like her Spruce Grove Composite teammate, previously announced recruit Sadie Aalders, Goerzen is also 6-foot-2 and will add to the Griffins' improving inside presence.
She hails from tiny Lindale, Alta., where she was convinced to give the game of basketball a try in Grade 11 because her local school was short on players. Her love of the game grew quickly, and she joined Spruce Grove Composite in 2024-25, helping them win silver at the 4A provincial championship.
"The first time I saw Ellie Mae was at the Swoosh All Girls clinic last April," said Adams. "She was still new to the game then, but the more we watched her play over this past high school season, the more excited we got about the impact she could have in our program."
Now, she will get the chance to make a difference at the U SPORTS level.
"We're really excited about the potential she has. She's really eager to continue to learn and grow," said Adams. "I think we're going to see some big things from her down the road."
