The Consummate Teammate - Sydney Guker-Wickie

Sydney Guker-Wickie – the consummate teammate

CBU head coach says guard 'wants to be great'

By Corey LeBlanc

She may be planning on a career as a chiropractor but – for now – Sydney Guker-Wickie will continue to focus on keeping her opponents in knots as a guard with the Cape Breton University (CBU) Capers women's basketball team.

"He said I had to go," the second-year guard says, with a laugh, when reflecting on her start on the hardwood.

The 'he' was her stepfather, Jody, who encouraged her to attend a tryout for her sixth-grade squad.

She made it.

And the rest, as they say – when it comes to her basketball journey – is history.

"I have been playing ever since," Guker-Wickie says.

She made the switch from soccer – the first sport she tackled as a youngster.

As for the appeal of playing basketball, Guker-Wickie notes the speed.

"It is such a fast pace – the action moves up and down the floor," she explains.

With only five players per team on the floor, Guker-Wickie suggests there is a greater opportunity to be in the middle of the action.

"You are not just standing there watching," she says.

By Grade 11, Guker-Wickie was suiting up for the highly-regarded Lincoln Prep basketball program.

While living in Hamilton, Ontario – in a house with a dozen teammates – she started to draw interest from university programs, including a few from Atlantic University Sport (AUS).

Her east coast campus visits included Saint Mary's and Acadia, which came after her stop at the CBU campus in Sydney.

"He sold the school for me," Guker-Wickie remembers of her now head coach Fabian McKenzie.

His "passion" for basketball impressed her.

"I knew I would learn the most from him, which would be great for my development," Guker-Wickie adds.

While remembering that recruiting process, McKenzie notes she "wasn't the star" on a team that included a lot of talented players.

However, the veteran Caper bench boss suggests his student-athlete was "overlooked" by university programs.

McKenzie praises Guker-Wickie for her "skill and toughness."

Last year – during her freshman campaign – she came off the bench; her minutes steadily increased as the season went on.

"I think I played pretty well," Guker-Wickie offers.

Noting her development in several areas, she thinks she was much improved by the close of that first campaign.

Describing Guker-Wickie as a "very good player," McKenzie agrees.

"She grew as the year went along; she is always working to improve," he says.

Like any first-year player, McKenzie notes Guker-Wickie took some "bumps and bruises."

"We are very pleased with Sydney's progress," he says.

"She really works hard and she wants to be great."

As for where she needs to improve, Guker-Wickie starts with her outside shooting.

She estimates progress in that area will translate into more playing time.

As her jump shooting skills continue to expand, McKenzie says his student-athlete will become a "more dominant guard."

"We don't want to put too much pressure on her," he adds of her development, reiterating Guker-Wickie is only in her second season.

Nevertheless, McKenzie envisions she will become a "leader of our program."

"We want her to take charge," he says.

The ever-improving guard also wants to crank up her effort on the defensive end.

"Every time I am on the court, I do as much as I can [to contribute]," she offers, noting how valuable it is for her team when she gets a steal, rebound or defensive stop.

McKenzie notes Guker-Wickie came into the program "wanting to be a strong defender."

Whether it is offensively or defensively, she says she focuses on "maximum effort."

"She has the high desire to be good at everything," McKenzie says.

When it comes to the 'biggest adjustment' to Atlantic University Sport (AUS) competition, she points to the extensive scouting employed by teams.

"They know exactly what you are going to do," Guker-Wickie says.

She stresses the importance of being able to adjust, in order to "combat how they are defending you."

As for her time at CBU thus far, Guker-Wickie says "I really like it out here."

"It is really pretty. I love being here – I like the change," she adds.

Guker-Wickie notes she has built a great relationship with her coaches and teammates.

"I love them," she says.

She appreciates the "balance" that CBU provides when it comes to athletics and academics.

"They give you a lot of opportunities [to succeed]," Guker-Wickie says.

When it comes to the uncertainty of the upcoming AUS season that is tentatively scheduled to start in early 2021 – one that has already been abbreviated – she describes the situation as "a little bit different."

"We are making the best of it," Guker-Wickie notes.

She is one of seven CBU women's players now in the Sydney area, as CBU continues to deliver its academic programs online.

With workouts – both individually and with their coaches, she says the Capers are "trying to advantage of the [extra] time to work on our individual skills."

Guker-Wickie, who is rooming with one of the program's first-year players, explains she is "trying to help" all newcomers.

"Take them under my wing," she says of the approach she and the other Caper returnees are taking.

"Sydney is a great teammate – on and off the court," McKenzie says.

Regardless of how this season unfolds – if there is one - Guker-Wickie's focus remains unchanged.

"Win an AUS championship, of course," she says, in talking about her goals while donning the familiar CBU orange.

To reach that conference pinnacle, Guker-Wickie notes the Capers need "to keep working together as a team."

"I know it may sound cliché, but Sydney is – and will continue to be – a phenomenal ambassador for CBU and our program," McKenzie says.

He describes Guker-Wickie as the "whole package," noting her myriad qualities include kindness and sense of humour.

"She is a great young woman – we love her," McKenzie says.

He adds Guker-Wickie possesses "great character," noting that is an invaluable attribute that the Caper program looks for in student-athletes.

"It matters," he stresses.

When her Caper career ends – both on the court and in the classroom – McKenzie says Guker-Wickie will be a "fabulous alumna" for CBU.

As for what happens after she leaves the stage with her BACS degree in a couple of years, she plans to complete her chiropractic studies.

Guker-Wickie plans to follow in the footsteps of her uncle, who owns and operates a practice.

"I have seen how much they help – they change people's lives," she says of those in that medical field.

"I want to be able to do that, too."

-30-