NPH CIS Team Preview: Cape Breton Capers

Last Season:

Head Coach: Matt Skinn 2nd Season – 2013 AUS Coach of the Year

Assistant Coach: Ron Shaw, Bill Burns

Key Players: AJ Geugjes (2nd Team All Star, AUS), Meshack Lufile (AUS Tournament All
Star), Sean McCormick (AUS Tournament All Star), Kayon Mayers

Additions:

• Vishal Banipal 6-1 Combo guard – Transfer – Idaho State University – PG – 2nd Year,
• Seth Amoah – Transer – University of New Brunswick – G – 2nd Year
• Christian Affolter – G/F – 1st Year
• Pat Hauri – G – 1st Year
• Kenny Jean Louis – G/F – Champlain – 2nd Year
• Ashton Stephenson – Transfer – Niagara College – PG – 3rd Year
• Jordan Hajdu – Transfer – Wilfrid Laurier – G – 2nd Year
• Kyle Hankins (Red Shirt – Ryerson Transfer)
• Cody Leadbeater (Red Shirt)

Departures: Jimmy Dorsey, Shaquille Keith

The Cape Breton Capers ripped through the AUS in 2012-13 with a 19-1 record and an AUS Championship behind the torching play of Jimmy Dorsey, 2013 AUS MVP.  Coach Skinn and the Capers are approaching the 2013-14 season with no rear view mirror.

“As a group, we really don’t like talking about last year.  We are focused on this year, and what we have to do everyday to be successful. We are a different group” says coach Skinn.

Yes, they are a different group. As a matter of fact, the graduation of a player of Jimmy Dorsey’s caliber demanded 100% of opponents defensive attention, which creates gaps and easy opportunities for teammates. That being said, the Capers fortunes will rest on the ability of the returning players to adapt to and play against more honest defensive schemes.

AJ Geugjes, Meshack Lufile and Sean McCormick are all hard working and talented basketball players and will be looked upon to carry the load for the Capers in terms of production and leadership.  These players put their hard hats on and go to work on a nightly basis and provide a real physical presence in the paint for the Capers.

The number one question for the Capers is, who will step up and be that strong guard that leads as a point defender and as a master of the offense. Initially, the responsibility falls on the shoulders of very quick Kayon Mayers who served as a backup guard last year. Mayers displayed a solid ability to run the team and play good D, and his growth  will be key as he learns to manage his own scoring ability and get the Capers strong front court shots.

Coach Skinn has also done a great job of adding talent and depth through a solid recruiting core.  “I feel that we have 3-4 incoming student-athletes that will challenge for starting positions. We have added depth and athleticism to our group of returning players” Coach Skinn.

Vishal Banipal a PG transfer from Idaho State University may be one on those guys that becomes a starter and will be looked upon to provide immediate impact into the void left by Dorsey. In addition, factor in UNB transfer Seth Amoah, a 6’3 athletic guard.

Coach Skinn sees the value of his teams experience, “We have seven of our top nine players returning from our AUS Championship team,
and all received major minutes at the CIS Championships.”

The promise of this is well founded as teams in any league don’t win championships with youth, they win it with knowledge and experience. As the culture of this Capers team builds, look for them to get rolling as the season moves on.