EDMONTON - Looking to build off their stellar 2019/20 season, which saw them reach the Canada West final and earn a U SPORTS tournament berth, the Pandas Basketball team makes their long awaited return to the court this weekend.

The Pandas, following a 5-1 record in the pre-season, kick-off their regular season against the Lethbridge Pronghorns this weekend at Saville Community Sports Centre. 

Head coach Scott Edwards and his staff have spent the last 20 months bolstering their roster with key transfers and recruits, looking to win the program's first Canada West title. Among the key returning athletes for the Pandas include former CW All-Star Emma Kary, forwards Claire Signatovich and Mackenzie Cook, and guard Abby Morrison. 

Also poised to make an immediate impact is former national champion Brianna Fehr, who spent four seasons with the Saskatchewan Huskies, and former Calgary Dino Lindsey Agnew. 

Among the key recruits for Edwards and the Pandas include Rylee Semeniuk, Nadeen Wu, Morgan Harris, and Dakota Wedman. The combination of veteran talent and top recruits has the Pandas in the sixth spot in the Canada West pre-season coaches poll. 
 

As announced by the Canada West May 5, conference play will have a different look in 2021-22. Teams will play an exclusively regional schedule within three divisions. The schedule also includes two conference wide bye weeks to allow for the rescheduling of any games, if necessary. Schools will battle it out all season long for seeding in the new CW playoff tournament.

The tournament, which features all 17 members, will take place over two weekends with the Final Fours set for March 4-6.

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PANDAS BASKETBALL SEASON PREVIEW

2019-20 CW regular season record: /16-4/, 4th in Canada West
2019-20 CW post-season record: /2-1/, Loss to Saskatchewan in CW final
Head coach: Scott Edwards (15^th season) / 220-74 Career CW reg. season record
 
Last CW championship / total CW championships: 0
Last U SPORTS championship / total U SPORTS championships: 1999 / 1
 
2019-20 CW regular season ranks:
Offence: 83.4 PPG, 4^th
Defence: 69.2 PPG, 3^rd

2019-20 CW regular season leaders:
Points per game: 18.0 – Vanessa Wild, Guard
3PT Field Goals: 28-79 – Vanessa Wild, Guard
Assists per game: 3.1 – Morgan Mudge, Guard
Rebounds per game: 6.1 - Vanessa Wild, Guard
Blocks per game: 1.3 –Brooklyn Legault, Forward
 
Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):
Brianna Fehr / Guard / 5^th / Calgary, AB / Saskatchewan Huskies
Lindsey Agnew / Guard / 3^rd / Milwaukee, WI / Calgary Dinos
Dakota Wedman / Guard / 1^st / Edmonton, AB / St. Albert Catholic High School
Rylee Semeniuk / Guard / 1^st / Kelowna, BC / Kelowna Secondary
 
Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):
Vanessa Wild / Guard / Spruce Grove, AB / 5
Brooklyn Legault / Forward / North Vancouver, BC / 5
Megan Tywoniuk / Guard / Edmonton, AB / 5
Lauren Earl / Guard / Saskatoon, SK / 4
 
Key performer:
Emma Kary
Guard
Fourth-Year
Calgary, AB
 
It has been a long path back to the court for fourth-year forward Emma Kary, after an injury-plagued 2019/20 season, before the cancellation of the 2020/21 season.
 
Kary led the 2018/19 Pandas in scoring and rebounding, at 17.2 PPG and 7.7 RPG respectively. She was also third on the team in assists and steals, making her a true two-way star - a label recognized by Canada West, as she was a 2nd team CW All-Star.
 
This Pandas enter the 2021/22 season having had the 4^th best offense in 2019/20. Head coach Scott Edwards figures to lean heavily on his veteran star, especially considering leading scorer Vanessa Wild has graduated from the program.