Ashley Kennedy ’22
Maddy Mitchell ’22
Committed to Colgate University, senior Alex Capitano ‘20 starts his third year on the boys’ Varsity Basketball team this winter. Capitano has played a significant role in the success of the basketball team. Being a starter since eighth grade at his previous school, his transition to EA basketball made a huge impact on the team. Capitano is confident and excited to start his last season on a team he considers to be his family.
Capitano is a basketball player who brings leadership, excitement, encouragement, and height to EA’s team. Capitano has been playing basketball for as long as he could remember, but he formally started playing in fourth grade. Growing, both mentally, and physically, he has added to the leadership of the team. Capitano says, “I think I can put my skills to the side and let my leadership skills define my ability to be a team role model this season.”
He continues by saying, “My role on the team this year is just being the best leader that I can be. Since this is my fifth year of being a varsity starter, I feel like I’ve seen it all at this point, and I can lead the younger guys through some of their new experiences that I once experienced myself. I just want to make this a memorable season for us all.” Though Capitano strives for personal greatness, he says, “Without a team, success would not be possible.” Capitano reflects on one of his best memories being on the team as the team room. “The energy, thrill, and brotherhood” is what Capitano cherishes the most. He says, “The fact that some of my greatest memories of basketball don’t even involve the actual game shows just how special the group of kids we have is.”
Teammate Andrew Alikakos ‘20 describes Capitano as “a great friend and a creative, nice, and sometimes weirdly funny kid off the court. On the court, however, he is a total beast. He can score at a high clip because of his shooting ability and athleticism, which I credit to his countless hours working out with his trainer, Aaron Johnson. Because of his jumping ability and athleticism, don’t be surprised to see Cap make a highlight play like an alley-oop or dunk in one of our games this year.”
Boys Varsity Basketball Coach and Brian Shanahan ‘04, describes Capitano as “a hardworking young man and a talented, bright individual. He is a senior captain who brings experience to the team. His biggest contribution will be his ability to be a great teammate and leader. Being a Division One basketball recruit (committed to Colgate University) will put a target on his back, and he will have to be the hardest worker every day in practice. That way he can compete at the maximum of his abilities.” Shanahan concludes by saying, “I am excited to see what Capitano is able to prove to himself and the people around him this year.”
Capitano’s decision to attend Colgate University has given him the ability to concentrate on leading his team to success. Capitano is confident that his team is able to reach its goal to win the Inter-Ac championship. He says that “this team has the full ability and talent to reach our goal this season.”
His coaches and teammates are excited to see his leadership in action on the court this year. Capitano concludes, “I am thrilled to finish off my senior season with the best team.”