Leadership role
Cape Fear Academy international player shows growth
Michael Cuneo
Wilmington StarNews USA TODAY NETWORK
The Cape Fear Academy boys basketball team might look slightly different this season, but the school’s international program is still turning out talented players from up north.
Before point guard Markus Pastorcic- Straun grew into a leadership role with the Hurricanes, he played every sport he could in his hometown of Toronto, Canada.
Markus’ early journey through the sports world included stints playing soccer, football and running track. However, after his friends started playing basketball, he made the move to the court and hasn’t looked back since.
After spending time on travel teams throughout high school, Markus got the call from coach Tony Martin and joined Cape Fear Academy through the school’s international program as a junior.
New City, new responsibilities
Wilmington proved a perfect landing spot for the teenager, but transitioning to life in another country far from family was challenging.
“We had just come out of COVID, so I was with my parents every day and quarantined. So coming from being quarantined with my parents every day to not seeing them at all was really hard on me,” Markus said.
Being away from his parents wasn’t the only thing Markus would have to adjust to. With the Hurricanes, he’s expected to watch film, create scouting reports of opposing teams and guide younger students along the way, all while taking at least two advanced program classes.
The constant balance between sports and school was new for Markus, but he says it ultimately made his transition easier.
“It’s definitely different from the school I came from. The workload of basketball, we’re in here every day. We have homework every day. Just time management and learning to balance everything really helped,” he said.
Why move?
While he never planned to move to the U.S., limitations in high school athletics in Canada due to COVID-19 restrictions opened the door for Markus to explore new opportunities.
“I didn’t consider (playing internationally) at all until COVID because basketball was shut down in Canada. Even when I came my junior year, there was nothing in Canada. I was kind of forced to come down here, but it was a great move for me, but I had never had that type of intention before,” he said.
Markus says his social personality didn’t mesh well with online schooling during the lockdown, another reason he liked being in Wilmington.
“I hated online school just because I like to be social. Canada was really strict on restrictions and then I came down here and it wasn’t the same at all. So for me, I loved it because I could do what I loved and go back to somewhat normal.” he said.
Stepping into a leadership role
As he jogs onto the practice court in the Cape Fear Academy gym, Markus immediately assumes a teaching role, quizzing younger teammates on positioning and movement as they run through drills.
“Why are we doing that,” he asked just moments after joining his teammates on the court. “What’s the goal?” he continued.
After watching five of his teammates graduate this offseason, Markus has found a new way to approach leading the team.
“I feel like I’ve always been in a leadership position but haven’t always done it the best. I’d get frustrated last year with my guys, but this year is
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Continued from Page 1B
completely different. Coach Martin has really helped. He’s forced me to calm down and just do what I do,” he said.
It’s this role within the team, combined with his outspoken personality and raw skill on the court, that has made Markus a figure well-respected by teammates and coaches alike.
‘Hyper-competitive’
“I just love winning,” the 18-year-old said. “It doesn’t matter what it is, I’m just a competitive person in general.”
Martin, who has coached nearly every level of basketball for more than 30 years, says Markus’ competitive spirit elevates his game.
“For Markus, he is the ultimate competitor. If you look at his skill set, he’s a pretty gifted athlete, but at the end of the day, it’s all relative. He’s a very good athlete and has a good skill set in all areas, but it’s elevated because he is hyper-competitive,” Martin said.
Markus is one of Cape Fear Academy’s most skilled players on the court. He played one of his best games of the season against New Hanover in the Hoggard Holiday Classic, drilling a longdistance 3-pointer just before the halftime buzzer.
While he’s experienced the bulk of the limelight this season with the Hurricanes, Markus says watching those around him excel is the most crucial part of his game.
“As much as I love to win, I love to see my teammates succeed as well. I want my teammates to do just as big as things as I do, so I love seeing other people and my teammates succeed,” he said.
Cape Fear Academy international player shows growth
Michael Cuneo
Wilmington StarNews USA TODAY NETWORK
The Cape Fear Academy boys basketball team might look slightly different this season, but the school’s international program is still turning out talented players from up north.
Before point guard Markus Pastorcic- Straun grew into a leadership role with the Hurricanes, he played every sport he could in his hometown of Toronto, Canada.
Markus’ early journey through the sports world included stints playing soccer, football and running track. However, after his friends started playing basketball, he made the move to the court and hasn’t looked back since.
After spending time on travel teams throughout high school, Markus got the call from coach Tony Martin and joined Cape Fear Academy through the school’s international program as a junior.
New City, new responsibilities
Wilmington proved a perfect landing spot for the teenager, but transitioning to life in another country far from family was challenging.
“We had just come out of COVID, so I was with my parents every day and quarantined. So coming from being quarantined with my parents every day to not seeing them at all was really hard on me,” Markus said.
Being away from his parents wasn’t the only thing Markus would have to adjust to. With the Hurricanes, he’s expected to watch film, create scouting reports of opposing teams and guide younger students along the way, all while taking at least two advanced program classes.
The constant balance between sports and school was new for Markus, but he says it ultimately made his transition easier.
“It’s definitely different from the school I came from. The workload of basketball, we’re in here every day. We have homework every day. Just time management and learning to balance everything really helped,” he said.
Why move?
While he never planned to move to the U.S., limitations in high school athletics in Canada due to COVID-19 restrictions opened the door for Markus to explore new opportunities.
“I didn’t consider (playing internationally) at all until COVID because basketball was shut down in Canada. Even when I came my junior year, there was nothing in Canada. I was kind of forced to come down here, but it was a great move for me, but I had never had that type of intention before,” he said.
Markus says his social personality didn’t mesh well with online schooling during the lockdown, another reason he liked being in Wilmington.
“I hated online school just because I like to be social. Canada was really strict on restrictions and then I came down here and it wasn’t the same at all. So for me, I loved it because I could do what I loved and go back to somewhat normal.” he said.
Stepping into a leadership role
As he jogs onto the practice court in the Cape Fear Academy gym, Markus immediately assumes a teaching role, quizzing younger teammates on positioning and movement as they run through drills.
“Why are we doing that,” he asked just moments after joining his teammates on the court. “What’s the goal?” he continued.
After watching five of his teammates graduate this offseason, Markus has found a new way to approach leading the team.
“I feel like I’ve always been in a leadership position but haven’t always done it the best. I’d get frustrated last year with my guys, but this year is
See BASKETBALL, Page 3B
Continued from Page 1B
completely different. Coach Martin has really helped. He’s forced me to calm down and just do what I do,” he said.
It’s this role within the team, combined with his outspoken personality and raw skill on the court, that has made Markus a figure well-respected by teammates and coaches alike.
‘Hyper-competitive’
“I just love winning,” the 18-year-old said. “It doesn’t matter what it is, I’m just a competitive person in general.”
Martin, who has coached nearly every level of basketball for more than 30 years, says Markus’ competitive spirit elevates his game.
“For Markus, he is the ultimate competitor. If you look at his skill set, he’s a pretty gifted athlete, but at the end of the day, it’s all relative. He’s a very good athlete and has a good skill set in all areas, but it’s elevated because he is hyper-competitive,” Martin said.
Markus is one of Cape Fear Academy’s most skilled players on the court. He played one of his best games of the season against New Hanover in the Hoggard Holiday Classic, drilling a longdistance 3-pointer just before the halftime buzzer.
While he’s experienced the bulk of the limelight this season with the Hurricanes, Markus says watching those around him excel is the most crucial part of his game.
“As much as I love to win, I love to see my teammates succeed as well. I want my teammates to do just as big as things as I do, so I love seeing other people and my teammates succeed,” he said.