Representing her hometown
Thomas hopes to follow in footsteps of previous local talent on Capers roster
NORTH SYDNEY — When it comes to having a basketball role model, Christina Thomas doesn't have to look too far.
During her high school basketball career, Thomas was coached by former Cape Breton Caper Toni Bianchini of Groves Point, who had a successful career in the Atlantic University Sport.
As she counts down the days to her graduation, Thomas is already looking forward to next season and following in Bianchini's footsteps in playing for Cape Breton University.
The North Sydney product recently committed to the Capers program for the 2021-22 AUS season, following several local players who have suited up for the university team over the years.
“I always wanted to play for the Capers since I was little,” said Thomas. “I used to go to all the games, so I think it's awesome that I get to play for my hometown team.”
Bianchini isn't the only Northside player to have had an impact on the Capers program.
North Sydney star Hannah Brown played five seasons with the club and etched her name in the CBU and AUS record books in February 2019.
Brown broke the school's single season scoring record, which was previously held by Kelsey Hodgson, and also set new CBU and AUS singleseason rebounding records.
“It feels awesome to be able to follow them,” said Thomas. “Everyone used to say I was going to be the next Toni Bianchini — I guess we play similar to each other.”
LOVE OF THE GAME
Thomas began her basketball career at the small ball level in Grade 2 while attending Ferrisview Elementary in North Sydney.
She continued to play the sport through her high school career, suiting up for the Memorial Marauders for four years. She was the captain of the team the last two seasons.
“I just loved how competitive the game was and that's how it all really started for me,” said Thomas of her introduction to the sport. “Nobody pushed me to play the game, I decided I wanted to play on my own.”
Thomas' talents quickly became known in 2018 when she was named the Cape Breton High School Basketball League top rookie.
The highlight of Thomas' time with the Marauders came during the 2019-20 season when she was presented with the league's most valuable player award. She was also named to the first all-star team.
In a COVID-19-shortened season, the 17-year-old Thomas led the Marauders on the court in 2020-21, averaging 15.7 points per game in 11 contests. She recorded 173 of her team's 677 total points during the year.
“It was hard just to practise for a while, but we pushed through and we eventually played games and that was positive,” said Thomas, who along with basketball has also played softball in the summer.
“We won a lot, we did have a rough start, but we believed in ourselves and finished strong.”
STAYING LOCAL
Fabian McKenzie has seen his fair share of local basketball players come through the Capers program over his career as the team's head coach. He's looking forward to having Thomas on his roster.
“Christina is a really nice guard, she has good athleticism, she's got some good
passing skills, and she's a decent shooter and will improve on that,” said McKenzie.
“Her biggest thing will be seeing the physicality and how tough it is physically with the speed, strength and power of the university game — it's a grind every day.”
McKenzie acknowledged Thomas plays a style similar to former Riverview High School star Heather Ross, who during her time with the Capers was an AUS first-team all-star in 2002-03.
“There's a lot of things that Christina does in her skill set that reminds us of Heather,”
said McKenzie.
“There's a lot of things that she needs to learn to do like Heather. I don't want to put pressure on her to be like that, we want her to be herself, but Heather is one player she reminds us of.”
Several Cape Breton basketball players have come through the women's program, including AUS most valuable players Brown (2018-19), Alison Keough (2016-17), and Janice Moseychuck (1995-96).
The 2019-20 edition of the Capers featured three local players including third-year guard MacKenzee Ryan of Glace Bay as well as forward Rhianna MacDonald of New Waterford, and rookie forward Hailey MacLeod of Marion Bridge.
McKenzie and the Capers take pride in showcasing local talent.
“It's one of the things I've learned from a friend of mine many years ago — he was an old volleyball coach and he told me the first thing in recruiting is if they want to be here,” said McKenzie.
“If there's things that aren't right, don't go get them, but if they have a desire to be here, that's the first thing you need to build a player and I learned that many years ago.
“We want to help develop the best local players and have them play in our system … we want to try to develop them into great people both on and off the court.”
McKenzie acknowledge the development of players on the Northside.
“The Memorial program is where it starts over there and the people who are involved in the program do a great job in getting the players involved and building a love for the game,” said McKenzie.
“The kids we've had from over there have had the same mentality, the Cape Breton mentality of toughness and grit and the willingness to make things happen and hopefully Christina can do the same thing.”
PREPARING FOR SEASON
Shooting hoops at the former Thompson school basketball court Wednesday, Thomas acknowledged the work isn't done yet.
“I can't wait to see what next year brings,” said Thomas, who'll study in the bachelor of arts in community studies program at CBU.
“I expect to improve on what I need to improve on. I want to help others improve as well and reach their goals, so I'm looking forward to the university basketball experience.”
Despite her own expectations and goals, McKenzie admits he isn't setting any expectations for Thomas' rookie campaign.
“She has to learn,” said McKenzie. “Her resilience is going to be key. It's how long she can stick it out and learn the lessons she needs to learn, work on the skills she needs to work on, and earn her way through.
“It's not going to be easy, but if she has the resiliency, she should have a good career with us, but it's that part of getting committed to stick it out along the way.”
The AUS cancelled its 2020-21 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. No information on the 2021-22 season had been released as of press time.
McKenzie expects the team to be young, but exciting for fans to watch.
“We've had some changes of course with the pandemic, but if things fall in place the way I think they will, we're going to run a lot and look like teams we've had in the past,” said McKenzie.
For now, Thomas will continue to prepare for the season and what's to come in her basketball career moving forward.