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04/13/2022 12:00 AMAfter watching his sister grow up playing basketball, Mike Capozzo decided that he wanted to give the sport a shot. As a senior, Mike got his opportunity to play for the East Haven boys’ basketball team and led the Yellowjackets to a solid season as a captain.
Mike’s sister Haley played basketball through her four years at East Haven High School. Mike was always at the games and, as he watched his sister play, Mike knew that he was going to be on the court himself one day.
“My sister played all her life through high school. I went to every single game, even the away games,” says Mike. “That just really made me want to play.”
At the age of three, Mike attended a youth clinic in East Haven. He soon started playing Biddy Basketball and continued through his 8th-grade season. Mike also played for East Haven’s travel team and at Joseph Melillo Middle School from 6th to 8th grade.
The more Mike played, the more he saw himself improve. And the more he improved, the more that Mike enjoyed basketball.
“It made me love the sport even more. I was playing more and getting better,” Mike says. “I really liked getting better.”
Mike was also playing baseball as he headed into high school, but decided to stop prior to his freshman year in order to solely focus on hoops. Mike more passionate about competing on the hardwood and wanted to put all of his efforts into the basketball court.
However, once Mike joined the Yellowjackets, he quickly realized just how tough the high school competition was. He mostly spent that first year at the freshman level, making some JV appearances. Mike says that season showed him what was necessary to succeed on a bigger stage.
“It was tough,” says Mike. “Everyone is taller. Everyone is way more skilled. It’s not like the rec league. It’s much harder.”
After playing mainly JV during his sophomore and junior seasons, Mike made the jump to varsity as a senior. Mike took all of the skills that he learned throughout his years of playing basketball and put them all together during his senior campaign.
Mike was named a captain of the Easties alongside fellow seniors Shea Carasone and Chris Bagnoli this year. Mike had always considered himself a leader, and earning the title of captain made him feel more comfortable on the varsity floor.
“It meant a lot. I felt like I deserved it,” Mike says. “I led the troops and led our team pretty good. It made the transition to varsity a lot easier.”
On the court, Mike played the combo guard position, seeing time at both point guard and shooting guard. When the ball was in his hands, Mike was always looking for ways to either get to the basket and score or make the right pass.
Mike’s work at combo guard helped the Yellowjackets finish with 11 wins while making both SCCs and states this winter. Having played in East Haven for several years, Mike was competing alongside people who had been his teammates back in his travel days and at the middle school. As he finished his time with the Yellowjackets, Mike felt proud to share the experience with teammates he holds close.
“It has been amazing,” says Mike. “They’re great people. They’re very good teammates. I’ll remember those times in the locker room.”
After putting in the effort, Mike had a chance to shine with the Easties in his senior season. Now, as he graduates from the program, Mike is hoping that his hard work both on and off the court will encourage other East Haven athletes to pursue the sport of basketball.
“I just want to inspire people to play basketball,” Mike says. “Not a lot of people are playing anymore. I don’t like to see that. I just want to inspire the East Haven people to play.”