SYDNEY, N.S. — It’s no surprise Jason Callaghan is still playing basketball today.
From the time he was a young boy, the Sydney native recalls having a basketball in his hand, which doesn’t come as a shock to those who know the Callaghan family.
His father, Greg Callaghan, has been involved in the basketball community for many years and has coached various levels including high school ball with the Sydney Academy Wildcats.
Meanwhile, his older brother, Ryan, played three years with the Sydney Academy boys’ team, and his younger brother, Adam, is currently a member of the Wildcats program.
Jason Callaghan credits his father for introducing him to the sport and helping him along the way through his career.
“My father taught me a lot about the sport early on and he continued to coach me for years after that,” said Callaghan. “I’ve had lots of support during my career and my father was for sure someone who helped me a lot.”
BIO
JASON CALLAGHAN
- Hometown: Sydney, N.S.
- Age: 20
- Position: Point Guard
- Height: 6’2”
- Team: Cape Breton Capers
- Studies: Bachelor of Science with a major in biology
Now 20, Callaghan began his basketball career playing small ball at Brooklyn Elementary School in Sydney, a program his father and his mother, Mary, once ran.
Callaghan later represented Whitney Pier Memorial in the Cape Breton Junior High School Basketball League, before playing three years with the Sydney Academy Wildcats under the direction of head coach Jonathan Penny.
“We knew what it was all about when we hit the high school level, we knew it was about winning regional championships and playing for provincial titles,” said Callaghan.
“Jonathan is a great coach and he continues to coach the Sydney Academy program — he motivated us every day and it was definitely a positive basketball experience when I look back at it.”
During his high school years, Callaghan and his teammates captured three regional championships, picking up titles at the Division 2 and Division 1 levels.
Callaghan was later recruited by Cape Breton University and suited up for the Capers in his rookie campaign last season.
He started 16 games for the Sydney-based team and averaged 8.2 points per game, while helping the Capers reached the Subway AUS Championship tournament in Halifax.
Callaghan, who dreamed of playing university ball while attending Capers camps as a child, admits the transition from high school to university basketball wasn’t as smooth as he would have liked.
“It took a lot of coaching and trying to get stronger to be able to make the adjustment, but once those things came into place, basketball is basketball in the end,” said Callaghan.
“It’s a higher pace than high school and it’s more physical, but I always felt that I would be able to adjust to the game and I think I’ve done it.”
This year, Callaghan has yet to start a game and is primarily coming off the bench for head coach Matt Skinn.
“Jason’s been asked to take on a little bit of a new role in some ways this year,” said Skinn. “It took him a little bit to adapt to it, but since then he’s been playing very well, especially lately for us.”
In 10 games this season, Callaghan has posted 7.3 points per game. Last weekend, he recorded 12 points, including a 10-point game against the New Brunswick Reds on Saturday.
“I think he wants to be a great player, he doesn’t just talk the talk, he puts the work in,” said Skinn. “As his career moves on, he’s going to take on a bigger and bigger role for us — we’re lucky to have him on our team.”
Although not putting up as many points as he would like, Callaghan has accepted his role and is focused on becoming a better player every day.
“My focus is to try to help us win basketball games and I pretty much do whatever I can to make that happen, regardless of the role,” said Callaghan.
Callaghan and the Capers (4-6) will return to the court Saturday when host the Prince Edward Island Panthers (2-8) in a huge four-point contest at Sullivan Fieldhouse in Sydney. Game time is 8 p.m.
Meanwhile, the Capers women’s team (3-7) will also be on the court Saturday against the Panthers (8-2) in a four-point game. Tip-off it set for 6 p.m.
As for Callaghan, he believes the Capers' record is misleading and expects things to be different during the second half of the year.
“We have a deep team and we’re still trying to figure some things out,” said Callaghan. “We’ve had some bad breaks and some rough games when it comes to finishing and closing, but we’ll turn it around.”
HOW THE TEAMS MATCH UP:
MEN
Cape Breton Capers
- Record: 4-6 – 10 Points
- Standings: Sixth in the Atlantic University Sport
- Points For: 771
- Points Against: 834
- Streak: Lost two
Prince Edward Island Panthers
- Record: 2-8 – 6 Points
- Standings: Eighth in the Atlantic University Sport
- Points For: 711
- Points Against: 829
- Streak: Lost three
WOMEN
Cape Breton Capers
- Record: 3-7 – 10 Points
- Standings: Sixth in the Atlantic University Sport
- Points For: 699
- Points Against: 768
- Streak: Lost two
Prince Edward Island Panthers
- Record: 8-2 – 18 Points
- Standings: Third in the Atlantic University Sport
- Points For: 714
- Points Against: 629
- Streak: Won three
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