MacLeod continues to build on stellar freshman campaign

MacLeod continues to build on stellar freshman campaign

Head coach praises 'dynamic athlete'

by Corey LeBlanc

'Flight #13' with the Cape Breton University (CBU) Capers women's basketball program is always ready for take-off.

"She comes up with a steal and raced to the other end of the floor like a jet," Caper head coach Fabian McKenzie says while reflecting on the physical tools that Hailey MacLeod possesses.

The 5'11" forward – who dons that uniform number (13) in CBU orange – first took off on the basketball court while in Grade 4 at Marion Bridge Elementary School. 

"I have grown to love it – more and more," the 19-year-old says of her passion for the game.

Since day one, MacLeod notes she always enjoyed playing in front of people – feeding off the "energy of the fans."

"It is such a great feeling," she says.

MacLeod continued to have that experience when she stepped on her home court at Sullivan Field House last season, one in which the Riverview Royals' product soared to an Atlantic University Sport (AUS) rookie of the year award.

"It was amazing – I didn't expect it at all," the 19-year-old - the fifth Caper women's basketball player to garner the accolade – says.

MacLeod – who played in all 20 regular-season games, including eight times in the starting line-up - averaged 11.9 points and 6.3 rebounds, while shooting an AUS second-best 50.8 percent from the field.

A highlight of her stellar campaign came in a Feb. 8 match-up with the Saint Mary's Huskies, when she fashioned a double-double – 31 points and 12 rebounds.

"Hailey is such a dynamic athlete," McKenzie says.

He praises her "quickness and leaping ability," which he notes are key assets – both offensively and defensively.

"She has natural instincts – she does so many things on the floor that you can't teach," McKenzie adds.

He explains MacLeod makes plays – whether it is corralling a rebound or blocking an opponent's shot – that aren't "always by the book."

"There are times when we just have to let her play," McKenzie says.

He explains MacLeod continues to make "incredible progress," including the fundamentals of the game.

"We are trying to help her put more tools in her toolbox," McKenzie says of his budding star's development, adding she is making "huge strides."

He notes MacLeod is "really responding to what we are teaching her." 

"She has tremendous focus – she is always trying to get better," McKenzie says.

He adds "I love coaching her."

And she loves playing for McKenzie.

"I wanted to play for him – he is such a great coach," MacLeod says when asked about selecting CBU for her career as a student-athlete.

"That made my decision a lot easier," she adds.

And – most importantly – just like has always been the case, MacLeod wanted "to play in front of family and friends."

"That meant so much to me," she notes.

She describes her CBU experience as "so great."

"It has been incredible," MacLeod says, adding she has "learned a lot" – both on and off the court.

When it comes to making the transition from high school to the university level, she describes the "pace of the game."

"Players are so much more skilled," MacLeod explains, noting they are "bigger, faster, and better shooters."

As for her strengths as a player, she points to her speed and athleticism.

"I can beat people down the floor," MacLeod says, noting that pays dividends on both ends of the floor.

She adds her quickness helps in several areas, including rebounding and "getting to the basket."

Although her first AUS season was a highly-decorated one, that doesn't mean MacLeod is resting on her laurels.

"Hailey continues to work really hard," McKenzie says describing the "fire and desire to get better" that she brings to the game.

As an example of that commitment, the phone conversation with MacLeod came on the heels of a two-hour workout with her coaches.

"I am working hard on improving my shooting, and also my left hand, especially on drives to the basket," MacLeod says.

In reflecting on what she brings to the program, McKenzie also pointed to what Caper coaches and teammates experience "on the inside."

"Hailey is a great human being – an incredible young woman," the veteran bench boss offers.

Describing her as a "stand-up person," McKenzie says MacLeod always does her best, while constantly trying to improve in everything that she tackles.

"And, she is never going to get in trouble off the court," he adds.

When it comes to her future in Caper orange, McKenzie expects MacLeod to take on the leadership mantle.

"We are doing what can to help her become our leader," he says.

MacLeod notes she is "also working on that area."

She agrees she wants to pass along the same benefits she received from veteran Capers during her freshman season.

"It has been really helpful," MacLeod explains of the "tips and tricks" she received as she adjusted to playing at the AUS level.

Although she describes the delay in the start of the AUS regular season due to the Covid-19 global pandemic as "frustrating," MacLeod stresses that "hasn't stopped her from putting in the work."

Regardless of how the coming weeks unfold – whether or not the conference campaign tips off in early January as scheduled –  she says she will continue to focus on "getting better and stronger." 

"I am always going to work and play my hardest," MacLeod says.

McKenzie says she "wants to be part of the rich legacy of our program."

"She is phenomenal and great for us – the perfect team person," he adds.

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