Women’s basketball captains selected
By Courtnie Martin, Sports Reporter
Coaches 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 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. I 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.
