Cape Breton Capers host tournament in memory of Debbie Ruiz this weekend
"She Had an Impact on Her Teammates"
SYDNEY, N.S. — MacKenzee Ryan grew up watching the Cape Breton Capers women's basketball team and always idolized point guard Debbie Ruiz.
The play of Ruiz on the court was one of the reasons Ryan decided to become a point guard herself, modeling her game after the Montreal, Que., native.
"Debbie was an awesome point guard and was one of the best I've ever seen in the Atlantic University Sport," said Ryan, a second-year player for the Capers.
"I try to play the same style as her, but I definitely don't play the role as good as she did."
Ruiz played three seasons with the Capers from 2004-07 and was the driving force behind the club winning an AUS championship and national silver medal in 2006.
After finishing her career with the Capers, she graduated from Cape Breton University with her bachelor of business administration degree in 2008, while also being an assistant coach with the women's program.
Ruiz died from cancer in July 2016.
This weekend, the Capers will host the annual Debbie Ruiz Memorial Basketball Tournament at Sullivan Field House in Sydney.
The three-day tournament will feature the host Capers, St. Francis Xavier University, Nipissing University of North Bay, Ont., and the University of Quebec de Montreal.
Former teammates of Ruiz will attend the tournament to honour their friend.
A scholarship was created two years ago in Ruiz's memory, and money raised from the tournament will go towards the fund.
Fabian McKenzie
Capers coach Fabian McKenzie had the opportunity to coach Ruiz during her time with the Capers and describes her as an "unbelievable person."
"She reached out and touched everyone — she worked with and inspired young kids here in Cape Breton to be the best they could be," said McKenzie, who gave the eulogy at Ruiz's funeral service.
"She was an incredible young lady off the floor, and on the court, she was an absolute MVP-type player for us."
In the AUS final in 2006, Ruiz was dominant in the team's win over the Saint Mary's Huskies, scoring 26 points while adding eight assists and six rebounds.
Ruiz's legacy remains strong within the women's program.
The team has a full-sized photo of her in its dressing room, and players must watch Ruiz's highlight video, said McKenzie.
"She had an impact on her teammates," he said. "She pushed everyone in times when they wanted to quit, and she would always encourage them — she was amazing.
"She's a huge piece of what we've accomplished and anybody who comes out this weekend will see it."
The Capers will open the tournament on Friday when they face the Université du Québec à Montréal at 8 p.m. Cape Breton will continue the event with games on Saturday at 7 p.m. against Nipissing, and Sunday at noon against St. Francis Xavier.
Although the main focus around the tournament is honouring Ruiz, Ryan believes winning the event would be special.
"It would be unbelievable to do that for Debbie, but we're going to take things one game at a time," said Ryan, the daughter of CBU athletic director John Ryan.
"It's going to be very special and we're all looking forward to making Debbie proud."
Prior to her passing, Ruiz told McKenzie to never let her be forgotten, something the veteran coach has taken personally.
"It was tough to lose her," said McKenzie. "Her spirit has never died in our program and we will always keep it going."
Debbie Ruiz Memorial Basketball Tournament
Sullivan Field House, Sydney
Friday
• 6 p.m. – Nipissing University vs. St. Francis Xavier
• 8 p.m. – Cape Breton vs. Université du Québec à Montréal
Saturday
• 5 p.m. – Université du Québec à Montréal vs. St. Francis Xavier
• 7 p.m. – Cape Breton vs. Nipissing University
Sunday
• 10 a.m. – Nipissing University vs. Université du Québec à Montréal
• 12 p.m. – Cape Breton vs. St. Francis Xavier
jeremy.fraser@cbpost.com
Twitter: @CBPost_Jeremy