Indian Hoopsters Expect More Success This Winter

NORTH HAVEN  INDIANS

Coach: Tom Cappello (3rd Year)

Last Year's Record: 3-17

Key Graduation Losses: None

Captains: Olivia DiCapua, Riley Dineen, Claire Hannon

Last year was an injury plagued season to say the least for the North Haven girls basketball team as 7 of 9 varsity players suffered season-ending injuries and only one starter, Riley Dineen, remained to play in the last game.

In the difficult season the Indians finished 3-17 overall and 0-7 in the Southern Connecticut Conference Oronoque Division. All starters return in 2010-11 and if North Haven stays healthy, coupled with several new additions, Coach Tom Cappello hopes that the team will show marked improvement. Eight of his players saw some varsity action last season.

"We're much more optimistic this year," Cappello said. "We were 3 and 3 last year and then Onalee (Collins) broke her ankle and everything went down hill quickly. We're teaching so far beyond where I was able to teach last year. I am thinking of playing more up tempo and putting more bullets in the gun. This will give us more options on offense."

"My goal is to get 6 to 8 wins and show a shimmer of success," Cappello said. "We have kids coming in from the middle school in the near future that will be impact players from the moment they get here."

Assistant coach Vince Simmons added," I think we can get 8 wins (qualify for state tournament). We can shock some people because I do not think most teams think much of us. A lot of teams in our division lost players."

North Haven will play a deliberate style where they will extend the court to try to take advantage of their athleticism.

The backcourt will be led by senior Captain Olivia DiCapua, who averaged over 10 points per game and was an all SCC honorable mention selection last season. She is described by Cappello as a great perimeter shooter that has played two years of AAU basketball.

"I am looking for her to to score in double figures and in the first scrimmage against Coginchaug she did that," Cappello said. "DiCapua can play for any program and she is very dedicated to our basketball program. She is part of a program that is building and that is nice. It has not been easy the last two seasons,"

Cappello has been pleased with the development of senior shooting guard and Co-Captain Riley Dineen, who is a strong rebounder and excellent shooter. She scored 26 points against Shelton late in the season and averaged 9.4 points per game last year

"We will set up many dribble drives and dishes for Riley to score off of," added Cappello. "Olivia and Riley know each other well and will play off of each other's strengths."

Guards that are expected to contribute off the bench include Sarah Black, the backup point guard. Freshman Maggie Sullivan is a shooting guard who will be a key player in the future according to Cappello. She is also described as an excellent defensive player.

The frontcourt will have senior Co-Captain Claire Hannon, a player who can play either forward position. She is a well-rounded player who is strong at going to the basket. Gina Carbone plays the power forward position and is described as a tough kid who rebounds the ball well and works hard to limit turnovers. Collins is a junior and the Indians' top rebounder. She returns from a broken ankle and is described by Cappello as "a player that is tough to guard because of her athleticism."  Cappello is looking for her to have a breakout season and to score double digit points as an inside scorer. Freshman Briane Milano, a 5- foot-9 inch forward, is also expected to be a point producer. She is a player who can play any position on the floor but will be substituted as a power forward initially.

"Bri will be like star (player) Aaliyah Robinson at Cross by her sophomore year," Cappello said. "She goes to the hole so fast it is hard to believe and she just shoots the ball so well. Bri is being brought along slowly and her movements with the ball are unbelievable. She also plays softball in the spring." 

Other frontcourt contributors include senior Amanda Rizzo, described as the best athlete on the team, will play small forward. She was a member of the girls basketball program as a freshman. She also is a soccer player and a track and field captain. Power forward Alex Odesso, a strong rebounder, and center Jocelyn Franci are also expected to contribute.

Cappello refused to predict where the squad would finish overall and in the SCC Oronoque Division but believes they will improve as the season progresses.

"We will be fighting at the bottom of the division early on," Cappello said. "Hopefully by the middle of the season we will be in the middle of the pack. We are hosting a Christmas tournament and I want two wins. We are playing Platt Tech and if (we advance) will face the winner of Bullard Havens and Hyde."

Cappello added," If we execute, we can be a good ball club. I am looking at grind- it- out basketball this year. Our division has graduated the kids that have killed us the most in the past."

North Haven hosts Amity on December 8th in the home opener at Fred Kelly Gymnasium.

"Amity lost its' All Conference kid (Nkenge Blue)," Cappello said. "It is never easy. We need to execute