It is hard to have much success in athletics of any level if the team’s leader is constantly changing. Every year, the team will be presented with a new set of plays, new goals for the program and, most importantly, a new face trying to lead them. No matter how talented the team is, it will struggle to thrive unless there is consistency at the head coach position. Trinity Prep basketball has recently suffered from a seemingly unending revolving door of coaches.
The basketball program has been through a short rebuilding process on both the boys and girls sides. The boys’ team is now led by its third coach in three years and the girls’ team also has a new head coach.
On the girls’ side former assistant coach Preston Jackson takes the helm as head coach. Jackson says he’s excited to help continue rebuilding the program.
“Our girls’ basketball team started our rebuilding process last year,” Jackson said. “We improved our overall basketball IQ, work ethic, dedication and we committed to competing day in and day out. Now it is all about repetition and desire.”
The players have responded well to Jackson’s new position as head coach.
“I love Coach Jackson,” junior Sammy Miller said. “He makes us work hard, but we’re all friends with him, and he’s pretty chill.”
The talent in the program continues to grow, but unfortunately the popularity of the team as stayed relatively low. Senior Teagan Sullivan has played basketball for Trinity for three years and she has watched the program struggle with numbers.
“The girls’ program has gone through many changes over the years I’ve been here,” Sullivan said. “There have been advantages and disadvantages to all, but unfortunately throughout everything, the interest in Trinity girls basketball hasn’t grown along with the program. It is hard to rebuild with the small number of dedicated, hardworking players that are interested in the sport. The girls that do play, though, are very committed to getting better each day.”
As far as the girls’ team this year goes, Jackson says that it is all about hard work.
“We just want to continue to work towards competing at a high level and then becoming the best student athletes they can be,” Jackson said.
The team may be rebuilding, but it still have high hopes for this season. Jackson has put an emphasis on becoming more physical and on winning important games, such as the game against Jones High School.
“I hope the team is able to continue bonding, but also embrace Coach Jackson and his mentality,” senior Cecilia Miller said. “Physically, he’s much more hardcore than previous coaches, so I hope to see the team adapt and become more of a physical threat to other teams.”
Sullivan agrees with Miller, but also has a more personal goal in mind that has to do with the experience itself.
“I really want our team to mesh well, work hard, and commit to everything we do,” Sullivan said. “With the goofy group of gals we have, I definitely want us to have some fun along the way too.”
The boys’ varsity team found itself a head coach in Anthony DiGiovanni, who teaches math for the middle school. As the new head coach of a program that has won only two district titles since 2010, DiGiovanni is ready to take over and make his mark on Trinity.
“I want the school to have a team they feel proud of and want to support,” DiGiovanni said. “The intensity they will bring to the floor will be fun for everyone to watch and cheer for.”
The team as a whole lost many key players from last year’s senior class, but it has reloaded on the talent of many young players and new stars, including junior Farris Kabalaoui. Kabalaoui is nearly 6’6” and will make an immediate impact with the Saints. The team is well rounded, with five seniors on the roster.
“All of the boys who have been in the gym this summer and fall have displayed a good skill level and have given a terrific effort,” DiGiovanni said.
“We have to compete on defense as individuals and as a team. We must also get the boys to truly understand how valuable the ball is in this game.” Probably the most important thing a coach can do for the his players is teach. Jackson’s most important piece of wisdom that he plans to impart falls into both categories of life and basketball: accountability. As for DiGiovanni, it’s all about hard work.
“To pick only one thing is difficult,” DiGiovanni said. “I want to teach the boys how to set a team goal and then work through adversity to achieve it.”
While both of these programs struggled last year, they both have the ability to quickly turn around their fortunes. With two strong coaches, the Trinity Prep basketball program should bounce back in a big way.
