Adams kicks off 2021 recruiting class with local high school all-star, Strathcona Christian's Reed
Jefferson Hagen, MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Creative and clutch, the first member of MacEwan women's basketball head coach Katherine Adams' 2021 recruiting class has the potential to become an important impact player for the Griffins in Canada West competition.
Sherwood Park's Mikah Reed, who will join the Griffins next season, was a Metro Edmonton Athletics all-star in 2019-20 after leading Strathcona Christian to the 3A zone championship final before COVID-19 shut down play.
Adams was impressed with her zone qualifying playoff run, as she made several clutch plays, including in a 75-73 win over Sturgeon in the semifinal before the Eagles fell short in the final, dropping a 66-62 decision to St. Peter the Apostle right before the shutdown. Provincials were cancelled.
"(Strathcona Christian) was led by a pretty strong charge on her end," Adams said. "She's just a gamer. In those important moments, she steps up."
Adams likes her ability as both a shooter and playmaker from the shooting guard position.
"If you only get a snapshot of her play, you'd describe her as a shooter," Adams explained. "What I also really like about her game is she's a playmaker. She's a great teammate who looks to get her teammates involved and share the ball. When it comes down to it, she's going to make something happen."
Reed, a product of Good Hoops Basketball, was a member of Team Alberta's U16 entry at the 2019 Western Canada Summer Games in Swift Current, Sask. She scored eight points in the final as Alberta struck gold with an 80-48 win over Saskatchewan.
Adams likes her body of work to date and feels she has the potential to score and create at the Canada West level.
"Watching her in some of her club situations – in tight game situations when it's coming down to the end and her team needs something to happen, she creates," said Adams. "Whether it's making a play to find somebody for an easy score or knocking down shots, she's just a great playmaker. She has a high basketball IQ, so that helps her in that as well.
"The other thing I like about her is she's a great teammate. She looks out for her teammates first and then finds her spots where she can contribute," she added. "Mikah's definitely a team-first player and she's going to fit in really well with our current athletes and culture."
