Cohesive Capers excited heading into 2022-23 home opener

By Noah MacLean

November 3, 2022

(Sydney, NS) - Heading into the home opener at Cape Breton University on Friday, November 4, reigning AUS Most Valuable Player and Capers star, Osman 'Ozzy' Omar (Mississauga, O.N.) says this Capers team is a team you could fall in love with watching.

 "Just a different vibe from other teams I've been a part of," says Omar. The Capers look to take an 'every day matters' approach to this season after finishing sixth in the AUS standings this past season. The team looks forward to working their way up toward the end goal of being crowned AUS champions.

Capers Men's Basketball Head Coach Matt Skinn, who coached the Capers to a 2012-13 AUS Championship, says, "This group is just different, everybody is just really excited to be together," he says, "this might be the most cohesive group I've ever coached."

Coming into the season with four new recruits and five first-year players total, the youthful energy in the Capers locker room is 'contagious' according to fifth-year Omar.

The Capers added rookie guards Ceejay Hanson (Manchester, England), Jahnian Simmonds (North Preston, N.S.), Justus Peuser (Geisenheim, Germany), and forward Live Kivuvu (Harrow, England). Capers fans can also look forward to seeing 2021 recruit, first year guard Coby Tunnicliff (Sydney, N.S.), who missed the previous season due to injury.

Along with the fresh faces on the court, the Capers second-year core of forwards Chris Ruta (Calgary, A.B.) Malik-Jamal Cadore (Toronto, O.N.), Tyson Cato (Ajax, O.N.) and guard Mitchell Mersereau (Sydney, N.S.), look to use their chemistry to the team's advantage. Coach Skinn hints at the depth of the roster, calling the team's second years the 'backbone'. High praise from the coach seeing as this group were rookies themselves just this past season.

 "There's a lot of talent and potential in these young guys," Omar, the now AUS veteran, said, "It's fresh, joyful—everyone is on the same page." Omar expects growing pains with such a young group but that won't prevent them from reaching their goals. The team's appetite for success and improvement sticks out to coach Skinn. "Our goal is to improve every day and play to the highest level we can," he adds.

Along with their work ethic, the Capers will have no shortage of leadership on the court.

Having Omar and fellow fifth-year, and friend, forward Paul Watson (Mississauga, O.N.) is a massive help to the team on and off the floor. Watson is back after coaching from the sidelines during the 2021-22 season due to an injury. Fourth years, guard Jason Callaghan (Sydney, N.S.) and forward Harouna Diop (Montreal, Q.C.) round out the experienced leadership group.

To coach Skinn, the vets are always consistent and leading by example. He urges them, "–to be vocal leaders this season as well." Something Omar says they want to do on a day-to-day basis.

Depth isn't the only thing that's shown promise in this Capers group. Fans can expect a fast-paced style of play and a more defensive approach this season. Omar hopes the group can use their length on defense as well as their speed on offence.

Keep a close eye on the Capers offence, as Omar is due to become the Capers all-time leading scorer early on in the season.

Omar looks to pass names like 2012-13 AUS MVP and champion, James 'Jimmy' Dorsey as well as Director of Athletics and Recreation John Ryan who currently holds the record with 1500 points in 96 games, to reach most points in Capers history.

Facing off against StFX in the home opener is sure to be an intense battle, but Skinn is feeling confident. "StFX has a very talented team," he says. "But we will come prepared. We are ready."

Caper fans, buckle up for the home opener on November 4, at 7:00pm in the Sullivan Field House and prepare to fall in love with this Caper squad as they begin their journey towards their end goal, an AUS Championship.

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