Minicucci, Capers continue push for the playoffs
February 1, 2013
Being part of the future of the Cape Breton University Capers women’s basketball program has been motivation for rookie guard Samantha Minicucci to improve each day on the hardwood.
The 19-year-old from Mississauga, Ont., one of six, first-year players on the rebuilding Capers roster, has been a workhorse for her squad despite being a freshman. She’s started in all 14 conference games this season.
“There is a lot of young players and we all have to start working together now because we’re going to be the future of the program,” said the 5-9 product of the Oakville Venom club team and Our Lady of Mount Carmel high school programs in Ontario.
“The speed of the game is definitely a huge change,” she said of playing in the AUS. “Transition defence is one of the biggest things that’s hurting us right now, getting back when the other team is fast breaking. The teams are really quick.”
“The speed of the game is definitely a huge change,” she said of playing in the AUS. “Transition defence is one of the biggest things that’s hurting us right now, getting back when the other team is fast breaking. The teams are really quick.”
Capers head coach Fabian McKenzie recruited Minicucci based on her blue-collar work ethic.
“I thought she had some talent, of course, but she’s been working hard every single day and pushing everybody,” he said. “She’s going to be one of the kids we’ll rely on in the next few years here.”
Minicucci brings her steady defensive game into Atlantic University Sport action today when the Capers host the University of Prince Edward Island Panthers at Sullivan Field House. The women hit the court at 6 p.m., followed by the men at 8 p.m.
The women’s contest is the annual Shoot For The Cure game, where teams raise money in support of breast cancer research. Last year’s game raised just over $10,000, which was donated to the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation. The team has raised over $50,000 since the first event five years ago.
Friday’s four-point meeting will be key for the Capers women, who continue to battle for a spot in the playoffs. Their 4-10 record for 10 points puts them in sixth place in the standings, but with the seventh-place University of New Brunswick Varsity Reds (2-11) hosting the AUS championship, CBU will have to do better than their current standing for a spot at the dance.
CBU is coming off a four-point victory last weekend in Halifax, defeating the Dalhousie Tigers 78-76.
“(The Panthers) play very hard, are an attacking team and have an aggressive mentality, so we have to be ready for that or we’re going to be knocked on our heels,” said McKenzie. “We have to be prepared for that battle right off the bat. They have some tough players who can score and shoot the ball really well. It’s their aggressive mentality they’ve been coming at everybody with.”
On the men’s side, the AUS-leading Capers will look to continue to improve on their unbeaten 14-0 season against the third-place Panthers (8-4). CBU is the No. 3-ranked team in Canadian Interuniversity Sport.
The Capers men are coming off a pair of four-point wins last weekend in Halifax, but it wasn’t easy. They bested the Saint Mary’s Huskies 85-80 on Friday, followed by a narrow 76-74 triumph over the Dalhousie Tigers on Saturday. Saturday’s win came thanks to a bucket by Sean McCormick with three seconds remaining in the game.
The Capers men are coming off a pair of four-point wins last weekend in Halifax, but it wasn’t easy. They bested the Saint Mary’s Huskies 85-80 on Friday, followed by a narrow 76-74 triumph over the Dalhousie Tigers on Saturday. Saturday’s win came thanks to a bucket by Sean McCormick with three seconds remaining in the game.