Graduating Senior Q&A: Burnell's infectious energy leaves a legacy with Griffins
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
17 | 22 | 20 | 11 | 70 |
|
|
12 | 12 | 16 | 14 | 54 |
Team Stats
Regina
| Game Statistics | Regina | MacEwan University |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goals | (26-73) | (18-66) |
| Field Goal % | 35.6% | 27.3% |
| Rebounds | 53 | 44 |
| Assists | 15 | 10 |
| Turnovers | 20 | 21 |
| Pts off Turnovers | 16 | 14 |
| 2nd Chance Pts | 12 | 9 |
| Pts in the Paint | 36 | 20 |
| Fastbreak Pts | 11 | 4 |
| Bench Pts | 19 | 15 |
Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – As the Griffins women's basketball team looks to the future with a young roster that won't make the playoffs this season, they are also very much in the present moment.
There is still some business to take care of, namely their final two games of the 2025-26 regular season this weekend. MacEwan will host Regina on Friday (5 p.m.) and Saturday (3 p.m., both David Atkinson Gym, Canada West TV).
PURCHASE TICKETS HERE (MacEwan students get in free)
On Saturday, they'll be saying farewell to graduating senior Sarah Burnell, who will be playing the final game of her university career.
"It's always challenging when you have a graduating class of one because I think we've been playing our best basketball and we're really optimistic looking towards the future, but you also want to recognize that Sarah's not going to be part of that," said head coach Katherine Adams. "Her legacy will live on in whatever comes next for us, but we have to recognize the contributions she's made and part she's played in getting us to this point. And I think about what that looks like for Sarah in the things that she's contributed to this program for three years here and it's energy, it's intensity. She's a fierce competitor. I think just the energy she brings in the gym day in and day out has really set the tone for others to live up to.
"We speak regularly who's going to be the one to make a spark, who's going to hit first and be loudest, and bring that energy that's going to get us going. I think that's something that's really appreciated and will certainly miss when she moves on."
Enjoy a Q&A below:
Sarah Burnell
Sarah Burnell spent the final three seasons of her university eligibility at MacEwan after transferring from Saint Mary's University (Taylor Lafond photo).
Katherine Adams' coach quote: "Sarah does not back down from a challenge. She loves to play a physical game. She thrives on that when we give her a matchup or give her a task to just be a bit of a bully … in a good way. I think you see that in her rebounding and you see that in her defensive intensity. I think this year, especially, she's taken a step up in her off-ball D and running lanes, and getting touches and steals away from the ball, and just her presence around the rim and sealing at the rim. It doesn't always result in scores for her, but certainly creates opportunities and openings for other people around her."
Q&A with Sarah Burnell:
What are you going to be graduating with and when?
"I'll be graduating with a Physical Science degree with a double major in Arts Science and Physics. I'm minoring in Chemistry, as well. I'll be taking my last course next fall. I'm excited about that because I'll be able to do an independent research study. I'll be doing a semester without sport commitments, and it opens up my schedule. I've wanted to do that, but I knew I wasn't going to be able to complete something I'd be proud of while still playing."
What are your future career plans?
"I really like Geology. I took a course in my first year way back at Ambrose University called Rocks for Jocks. I was like, 'OK, easy Science credit, here we go.' But then it was, 'this kind of rips.' I really enjoy it. So, I want to do something in the Geology field. I really like Physics as well, so Geophysics or Geothermal. I really want to be a part of a team that creates renewable or sustainable energy sources. So, if that's geothermal or nuclear – which is a bit topic all the time – but moving away from the dirty stuff like coal."
Do you have plans to keep playing basketball?
"I mean, I hope a rec team would take me. But I have nothing lined up. Basketball has opened so many doors for me already. If it keeps opening doors, I'm not going to close them."
Katherine talks about how you bring the energy to the court. Your personality is very outgoing off the court as well. How have you been able to help the team in that regard?
"I wish I could be walking away with a legacy of averaging a triple double or anything crazy like that. But I wasn't that player when I came into the program, so it makes sense that I'm not exiting as a new Canadian Olympian.
"But I've definitely seen my own character development and emotional maturity grow, but also like the team that I'm leaving is not the team I met originally. I think there's been a lot of maturity and development off court, dealing with interpersonal issues and being able to communicate through heavy emotions."
That dovetails into my next question: what do you think you're leaving to the program? What's your legacy?
"The legacy definitely is the hype man. I feel like I'm half athlete, half cheerleader. Not that cheerleaders aren't athletes, but I feel I bring a lot of encouragement. I hope the younger players are looking up to me emotionally. The legacy I leave is just hard worker, show up and get it done. I'm not going to complain about you as long as you do it with me. I'm going to buy in.
"I remember in my rookie year being coached by one of my favourite coaches and he was like 'who's going to carry the boat?' So, that's always stuck with me. Who's going to put away the rack that we didn't clean up? Who's going to put away the bands or bring the basketballs in and out of the gym? Sure, that's like rookie duties, but I still need a basketball, I still need to shoot."
What are some of your favourite memories over your three seasons with the Griffins?
"People always ask me 'do you remember when this happened?' I know I'm not in a CTE situation, but what the heck, when were all these moments? People have said, 'you said this to me, and it really inspired me,' and it's like, 'awesome, don't remember.'
"I work really hard to be where my feet are and be as engaged with the present moment as I can. I'm not cool with technology and don't like social media, so it makes me feel even more alienated. So, I really try to be in the present moment, regardless of how miserable that may be or how euphoric that may be. It's not that I discard the past or I don't remember. I still go to bed a ruminate over what happened in the eighth grade. I'm not immune to that. It's just that I like where I am."
Is there anything else you'd like to say about your time with the Griffins?
"I just want to thank Katherine for taking a chance on me because I was out of the sport. I never thought I was going to get a Senior Night. After COVID messed around and jumbled everybody's understanding of linear whatever, I never thought I was going to get a Senior Night. So, the fact that I'm here … I just think it's so cool and I'm so grateful for the privilege. It's such a gift and I hope I haven't taken it for granted or let it be less than what it is. So, thanks to Katherine and anybody who spent any amount of time with me on the court, in the gym or even just talking about the sport."
