MBB: CAPERS Wrap up pre-season
The Cape Breton CAPERS Men’s basketball team wrapped up their pre-season this weekend, after a three-game Ontario road trip.
Preseason Recap
The Cape Breton CAPERS Men's basketball team wrapped up their pre-season this weekend, after a three-game Ontario road trip.
The CAPERS participated in the STFX invitational tournament to kick-off their exhibition schedule. They came out of the tournament with two losses, but Coach Matt Skinn thought there were some positive things to take away going forward.
"We are a new group that needs to establish roles, work ethic and playing together with trust. There's lots of room for improvement and I'm excited about the learning opportunities going forward."
The three-game trip against Ontario opponents yielded better results for the CAPERS who ended up going 1-2, after a nine-point loss to McMaster, they came away with a huge 18-point win over York and finished up with a tight seven-point loss to Guelph.
Second-year guard Osman Omar scored in double digits all three games, averaging 16 points per game for the trip. Omar and Paul Watson took on leadership roles as the two returning players. Coach Skinn has been impressed by the two veterans.
"I've been really happy with Paul and Ozzy. As returning players, they have been a pleasure to coach and are willing competitors."
Skinn also talked about some of the newcomers and the impact he saw from them.
"I have also been pleased with the progression of some of the new players. Dennis Joiner has been scoring well, Ibrahim (Gosselin-Diawara) has been a great defender for us, and David Hahn is figuring out the USports game." Skinn also mentioned Jason Callaghan, who scored efficiently off the bench. "Jason will carve out a nice role for us as a rookie this season."
Most pre-seasons are for building chemistry and implementing systems both offensively and defensively. Having such a new group with a new coach, it will take some time for the CAPERS to reach their full potential as a unit. Coach Skinn likes what he's seen from his team so far despite being so new together.
"I am really happy with the progression the team has made as a unit. We have implemented a team style of offense and defense that we are continuing to learn and hope to improve as the season moves forward."
Not only has the play on the court stood out to Skinn, but also the team building that he hopes develops as the season progresses.
"We are learning to play as a team, get to know one another, and figure out our roles on and off the floor. We have a great group who wants to learn and improve."
The CAPERS will take all the lessons learned from the pre-season and put them to work in practice, leading up to the regular season opener Saturday, November 3rd against the Dalhousie Tigers in Halifax. The Tigers come into the season as the AUS favorites and have won three of the last four AUS championships. Coach Skinn knows his CAPERS have to be at their best to steal a win or two on the road.
"Dal will be a tough test to open the year. They will be a top 10 team in Canada and will be tough and tested after a great pre-season. Hopefully having two weeks to prepare will help us in a tough environment."
The weekend series kicks-off at 8 pm on Saturday the 3rd and finishes off at 3 pm on Sunday the 4th.
The CAPERS Men's Basketball team can be found on twitter @CAPERSMensBB and on Instagram @capersbasketball.