SPORTS. Know the score? Contact the editor at sports@theotherpress.ca Three's never a crowd Womens basketball captains selected Courtnie _ Martin Sports Reporter oaches often allocate two leadership positions; one player as the captain and the other as co-captain. However, the Royals’ women’s basketball team took a different route, selecting three. The trio of second-year players, Adelia Paul, Chloe Kennedy, and Shanice Fuoco- Guy, have inherited the mantle of leadership from previous captains Amonda Frances and Patti Olsen. Early on they were nervous about the responsibility and were afraid of letting their teammates down, but as the preseason progressed it became clear why coach Curtis Nelson chose them. “Each of these three captains’ skill sets complement each other extremely well—both on and off the court. With a young team, the coaches felt it was important that our captains could be an extension of the culture and vision within our program. We all felt that these three players embodied those qualities the best. The fact that they had the respect of their teammates just made the choice that much easier,” says coach Nelson. Adelia Paul plays the role of the team’s motivational speaker. Paul consistently asks for the players’ insight for what they think should change. Last year Paul was very reserved and quiet, but says that her main focus this year is to be vocal while continuing to grow. She also stresses the importance of staying connected as a young team. The team carries seven returning players—six of whom were rookies last year. “It is important that we always give 100 per cent a La lee ta Photo courtesy of Courtnie Martin throughout practices, workouts, and games. Once we do that, the results will speak for themselves. We have already faced challenges and adversity, and coming together made those situations a little easier,” says Paul. Chloe Kennedy takes a different approach to leadership. She remains rather quiet in practice, but when she does speak, the team listens. The team counts on Kennedy to be a leader by example. She works hard and never shows defeat. She bears a more complex responsibility, though, as she is responsible for running all five positions on the floor. “Shanice, Dell, and I are always learning when it comes to being captains and I love learning with them. Being a captain means being there for anyone on my team that needs me. | think this year we have awesome chemistry,” says Kennedy. Shanice Fuoco-Guy has become the team’s additional “sideline coach,” as she has been recovering from injury. She gives the team a different perspective of the game. The things the team misses as a whole, she explains and clarifies. Her wisdom of the game has helped the first- year players understand the complicated offensive sets. When she is on the floor, she gives it her all and demands that her teammates reciprocate. The three captains have proven how well they work together as captains and are clearly excited to learn and progress together. With Paul, Kennedy, and Fuoco-Guy leading the way, the Royals promise to be a cohesive unit both on and off the court. Posting up Mens basketball team captains chosen Courtnie _ Martin Sports Reporter Cat Denis Beausoleil took a rather unique approach to the 2013-14 men’s basketball season, allowing the players to choose both of their captains. In the end, guards Andrew Baron and Kristian Hildebrandt were selected. With a young group, both players are learning that in order to be successful, every member of the team has to contribute. “Andrew is a very hard worker and helpful. He’s the guy we look for to take the 18 Photo courtesy of Courtnie Martin scoring load against tough teams. Kristian is just as hard of a worker. Both of my captains are there for any of us that need them,” says first-year player, Elvin Owusu Ansah. Growing up on the Sunshine Coast where competitive basketball players are hardly ever heard of, Baron went to Elphinstone Secondary. Baron’s athletic inspiration was his brother, and coming to Douglas was a great chance for him to move forward in his basketball career. Baron entered Douglas the same year that coach Beausoleil took the head coaching position. The two built a strong bond and have carried it through the last two seasons. “The team chose the captains and I think they were both great choices. Andrew and I see eye to eye. He is the only player that has played for me all three years I have been here. Kristian and I are also always on the same page and he is a great guy on and off the court,” says coach Beausoleil. Hildebrandt was recruited by “mistake.” One day when coach Beausoleil was stopping to get groceries, he decided to walk into a high school basketball game in a Lower Mainland tournament at King George Secondary. When he saw Hildebrandt, he instantly recognized his talent. After having a rough season last year, Hildebrandt was determined to turn the tables around. He decided in the off season he wanted to change his game, and proceeded to dedicate the entire summer to getting better. “Kristian didn’t get much of a chance last year, but was selected as co-captain because of his leadership qualities. He is very vocal on and off the court. Honestly, Kristian is the hardest working teammates I’ve ever had. He put in hundreds of hours over the summer and has really improved, so it would be nice to see that translate into his game. We are very similar in how competitive we are so it’s easy to relate to him,” says his fellow captain. Hildebrandt and Baron both express their enthusiasm in seeing the team implement all that they have worked for as the season begins. “Drew does a really good job helping me and being on the same page in terms of where we want the team to go. We have a [kinda] good cop, bad cop thing going on—which is great,” says Hildebrandt. The two are determined that as underdogs, the team has nowhere to climb but up.