YP Athletic Insider with Coach Turi & The Sport Management Club
We interviewed Coach Michael, the head coach for Girls Varsity Basketball, as they gear up for the start of the regular season.
Coach Turi: How has preseason camp gone so far?
Coach Michael: Preseason is going well. I’m thrilled about the number of girls that turned out for basketball.
Coach Turi: What have you seen out of the team the first few weeks?
Coach Michael: The girls are working hard. They are open to learning the concepts and skills of basketball. They are excited for the season, and are really a fun group to work with.
Coach Turi: After two years off, how is the anticipation to get the season started?
Coach Michael: I’m happy to be back after two long years. Everyone has been so supportive during the year of my pregnancy. And then during the pandemic, it was unfortunate not being able to play basketball. I’m just really happy basketball is back up and running, not just for me but also for the girls. Hopefully we can put another banner up in the gym this year.
Coach Turi: What makes a successful team unique? Are there common denominators?
Coach Michael: The traits that make successful teams unique are their willingness to learn the game and wanting to get better, no matter the circumstance. Successful teams put in extra time and effort to build. They support each other, encourage, help build confidence, trust their coaches, and each individual player on the team understands their role. They have an understanding of what it takes to become successful. The Golden State Warriors are a great example of the uniqueness of their success.
Coach Turi: You were a successful basketball player in your own right. Do you miss playing at all?
Coach Michael: I don’t miss playing and the reason why is because I played until it was no longer fun. I had an amazing basketball career. I played for one of the top colleges in the country (Syracuse). I was the all-time leading scorer and rebounder, and then I went on to play professionally for 8 years. I travelled all over the world just to play basketball, and it was one of the best experiences of my life so far. So, I’ve played the game long enough, I got what I wanted from it and I moved on. Is it something I reminisce about from time to time? Yes, but I always smile knowing I gave my all to the game of basketball!
Coach Turi: What's the biggest difference between coaching and playing?
Coach Michael: Well as a player, all you have to do is show up ready to practice and prepare for games, you learn the strategies and concepts from coaches and you execute it. As a coach, you are responsible for teaching over 10 – 20 players how to play basketball from your perspective. You have to build a connection with your team, understanding each individual and finding ways to keep your team motivated. Coaches have to prepare a team with the tools and strategies to win games. Coaching is a full-time responsibility whereas just playing the game is so simple.
