The University of Guelph Gryphons women’s basketball team will have some EDSS influence on it next season, with two new recruits from the school in the persons of Macy Weber and Delaney Cortes. The signings were made official Tuesday night.
While every player wants to win, the thing that sets these two athletes apart is that they do everything it takes not to lose, said Gryphons head coach Megan Reid.
“I watched [them] just tear people’s arms off for the ball [at OFSAA] trying to get that rebounding, which, sadly, was part of our challenges this year.
“So I know that not only are [they] going to come in from day one, and start working hard, and make us better that way and make everybody else on the team better because of the way that [they] work. But I also know there’s going to be that immediate impact of going after the ball to compete, never stop,” she added.
Weber and Cortes bring different elements that both make great fits for the team, Reid said.
“We’re an up-tempo team. Delaney is not only a compete guard, she’s a push-the-ball guard, she’s one to get it up the floor. Macy can run the floor, she can rebound because every fast break’s going to start with that rebound. And she can finish up near the hoop – there is no rebound that she won’t go and get.”
It is uncommon for schools to recruit teammates from the same secondary school, Reid added. While Weber was initially on their radar, Cortes quickly followed.
“The fact that they’re super tight and get along well together is great. And I know they’ll bring great chemistry for our team.”
Weber is joining a team that she grew up watching.
“There’s always been a little bit of favour for Guelph, but being able to play there now, after watching the girls play for so long, it’s going to be a really cool experience,” she said.
Although honoured to get an offer from the team, Weber was unsure if she would accept as she did have other options. However, Reid won her over, she said.
“It’s just really awesome to be given a place on the team. They’re definitely more of a family, you can definitely see they’re a tight-knit group, which I’m really excited to join and get into. I’m going to work really hard, dive for a lot of loose balls and hopefully bring some aggression to the team that I know that they’re looking for me to bring,” she added.
For Cortes, Guelph was one of her top three choices, she explained.
“It was very exciting [to get an offer] and I think a lot of relief because it’s really hard to get a spot on a team, especially a good one like Guelph. So for me when I was told I had a team, I knew I have a couple more years of improving greatly and I have a lot more years with people to learn from,” she said, adding she is excited to be going to school with Weber.
“Having a best friend who keeps you accountable and will always show up places with you is a really lucky thing. I’m super lucky to be going to school with her and have her start this next journey with me. She’s been on every journey with me so far,”
Weber agreed, noting the pair have been best friends for 10 years.
“We play really well together on the court, but off the court, we’re best friends, so obviously there’s some chemistry there that is hopefully really going to help Guelph out.”
Weber will be studying psychology while Cortes will be taking human kinetics.
