Capers looking to return to AUS championship game

CBU, UPEI to clash in quarter-final match-up

By Corey LeBlanc

(Sydney, NS) - Cape Breton University (CBU) Capers head coach Fabian McKenzie describes the regular season for his women's basketball program as a "roller coaster ride."

"Up and down, up and down," he offers, with a laugh.

McKenzie adds, "We could be great one night and brutal the next [one]."

When the dust settled, the Capers record – 9-11 – served as a perfect reflection of the see-saw type journey that the program has experienced this season; one that landed CBU in the sixth and final playoff spot for the 2023 Subway Atlantic University Sport (AUS) Women's Basketball Championships, which are set for this weekend at Scotiabank Centre in Halifax.

"Overall, it has been our lack of focus on details," McKenzie says, when asked what has contributed to his team's inconsistency.

He adds, "We can be a pain in someone's butt," when the Capers play to their potential, but the "challenge" has been regularly reaching that level.

Fifth-year guard MacKenzee Ryan (Glace Bay, NS) describes their season – from game to game – as a "toss up."

"We have been pretty inconsistent," she says.

One of the main Achilles heels for CBU has been "defensive discipline," according to McKenzie.

"It has been the worst of any team I have ever coached," he says.

Of the six AUS playoff teams, the Capers have surrendered the most points (1511); only the STFX X-Women and Dalhousie Tigers – who did not make the postseason – were more porous defensively.

"That will have to change this weekend," McKenzie adds, noting that his Capers have shown that they can – albeit only in brief flashes throughout the season – do what it takes to lock down an opponent.

CBU will tip off against the third-seeded UPEI Panthers in the first women's quarterfinal, which is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 24 at 6:30 p.m.

"Make more shots than they do," McKenzie jokes when asked about the keys to besting the Panthers.

During the regular season, UPEI swept a pair of home games (79-56 and 80-58) between the teams in late October. In mid-February, the sides clashed twice at Sullivan Field House on the CBU campus; the match-ups serving as a microcosm of Capers' season. After dropping a 66-43 decision on a Friday evening, CBU bounced back and defeated the Panthers 71-55 on the following afternoon.

"We are going to have to stop their big guns, which is not going to be easy," he offers, noting that UPEI has a "very good" offense.

McKenzie adds that his Capers will have to "find cracks" in a much-improved Panther defense.

"We are going to have to create advantages and exploit them."

Ryan stresses the importance of "sticking to our game plan," explaining that in the AUS tournament – especially in the first game – nervousness can steer a team off course.

To score a victory over UPEI and move on to the semi-finals, CBU will need the dynamic duo of Kiyara Letlow (Toronto, ON) and Ryan to continue their all-star calibre seasons.

There has been no sophomore swoon for Letlow – the 2022 U SPORTS rookie of the year – who averaged a double-double this season with a conference and Canada-best 16.6 rebounds per game, along with 20.6 points per contest, which placed her second in the AUS and fifth in the nation. She also finished fourth in the AUS with 21 blocked shots, while making 75 percent of her free throws (120).

The fifth-year swan song has been a sensational one for Ryan, who led the conference with 98 assists – an average of 4.9 per game, while finishing in the top 10 in scoring, with 14.4 points per game. She also corralled 3.5 rebounds per contest and shot 87 percent from the charity stripe.

Sophomore Chermensa van la Parra (Rotterdam, Netherlands) – Ryan's athletic backcourt mate – scored 10.4 points per game, while adding 2.5 rebounds and three assists.

Hailey MacLeod (Marion Bridge, NS) is the fourth starter to average double figures in scoring – with 10.1 points per game – while contributing 6.3 rebounds.

Hannah Smith (Bedford, NS) and Leandra Hersey (Quispamsis, NB) – off the bench – have been key three-point shooters for the Capers.

Freshman Darah Fleurgin (Montreal, QC), off the bench, has improved throughout the season, finishing tied for second in AUS blocked shots, with 22, while chipping in 5.9 points and six rebounds.

Ryan says that – if the Capers are playing well and executing their game plan – everything starts with Letlow, who she describes as a "force inside." She adds getting the ball to someone she calls one of the best players in the AUS – and U SPORTS – will be crucial.

"But, we can't force it – that's something we have been doing this season," she explains.

Once Letlow establishes her presence, it benefits her teammates, according to Ryan; van la Parra garners more chances to penetrate, where she is electrifying; while Smith and Hersey receive quality outside shot opportunities.

"It has been a concern all season," McKenzie says, when asked if depth could be an issue as his team embarks on trying to win three games in three days to capture the 2023 AUS banner.

A Caper trio of starters makes up three out of the top-five players in minutes played, with Letlow topping the AUS at 666 minutes, followed by van la Parra (661, third) and Ryan (653, fourth).

Last March, the Capers were in a similar underdog position. As the fourth seed, a young CBU line-up with only one fourth-year student-athlete (Ryan) made a run to the championship game. After defeating the Memorial SeaHawks in quarter-final action, they upended the top-seeded Panthers in the semi-finals. Leading for most of the title tilt, CBU could not hold off a late charge from the second-seeded Acadia Axewomen, who captured the crown with a hard-fought 71-65 victory.  

"It depends on which version of our team shows up," he says when asked if a similar post-season performance is possible.

He adds, "We have a lot of work to do," noting that – considering their season and seeding – "People don't expect us to be a threat."

Ryan says, "Everyone on our team will have to be ready."

McKenzie, who's Capers last won an AUS banner in 2017, reminds us how factors – such as "lucky bounces" or an official's call – play a role in the outcome. The championship team is usually the one that best handles those ebbs and flows.

He agrees that whoever captures the AUS crown this weekend, will have earned it.

"It is the most balanced I have seen in my 24 seasons," McKenzie says of the parity in the conference.

Ryan adds, "It is the most competitive year since I have been in the league – you have to be ready to play every game."

She notes, if the Capers play their style, they can compete with anyone.

"We continue to work hard and prepare – we will be ready to go."

As for finishing her stellar AUS career with a title victory, the five-time Academic All-Canadian says, "Obviously, it would be incredible, but I am not looking that far ahead. I am focused on UPEI and winning that first game on Friday."

The women's conference championship final will take place on Sunday, Feb. 26 at 1 p.m.

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