Homegrown talent
North Sydney’s Bianchini commits to Capers.
The Cape Breton Capers women’s basketball team has added some local talent to its roster for the upcoming season.
Toni Bianchini of North Sydney has committed to play for the Capers starting this fall. She’ll be enrolled in the nursing program.
“I’m always over there with the girls and I know (Capers head coach Fabian McKenzie), so it’s always comfortable for me to be around there,” said the 5-5 point guard. “I really enjoy talking to Fabe about basketball and he really knows what’s best for me and how he’ll help me be the best player I can be.
“The girls are all great and I get along with them so well that the decision came easy.”
A graduate of the Memorial Marauders, Bianchini was named co-MVP of the Cape Breton High School Girls Basketball League for the 201516 season with Mackenzee Ryan of the Glace Bay Panthers. She was second only to Ryan in points per game, averaging 21.3. She also earned league first allstar team honours in 2014-15.
Despite growing up playing the point guard position, Bianchini said she hopes to adopt more of a shooting and passing role with the Capers.
“I’ve always watched (the Capers) and tried to get to a lot of there games,” she said. “It’s going to be really surreal to put on the jersey.”
Bianchini is the third Marauders player to join the Capers in as many years. Centre Hannah Brown of North Sydney was a recruit two years ago, while point guard Karina Kuchta of Baddeck was added last year. They join Riverview graduate Alison Keough of Marion Bridge, a centre going into her fourth season on the team.
“Talking to them really helped in my decision, too, because they really enjoy it and enjoy their experience,” Bianchini said of her former teammates. “It’s kind of cool that we get to play together again.”
McKenzie said along with being a talented player, Bianchini is a great person to add to the team.
He noted a game she played with the Marauders in Grade 10, where she scored over 30 points and took over the game.
“She’s a very tough player and I want toughness on my team,” he said. “She has the ability to shoot the basketball and she’s an aspiring point guard, and we think she’s going to be pretty good. She wants to get better and wants to work at it.”
The Capers women open the season with a two-game set on the road against the Dalhousie Tigers, Nov. 4-5. Their home opener is Nov. 11 versus Acadia at the Sullivan Field House.