The boys and girls’ basketball programs have struggled for the past few years. With both teams having a new coach for the 2023-2024 season, this being the boy’s third coach within three years, the teams are currently in a transition period.
It can be hard to adjust to new play and a new team, no matter how good the team is. The difficulty was apparent in their season, but after these tough times, the team has built character and grit, so future seasons are looking up.
“Whenever you get a new coach you get a new system, new plays, you have to figure out how a coach coaches,” Athletic Director Mrs. Lynelle Mosley said. “Both teams had to learn how to adjust to a new style of play, and while we like to have a winning season and we didn’t, the future looks really bright for both of our programs.”
A winning record is not what defines the Strath Haven Panthers. What really defines the Panthers is family.
“The team itself is like a family,” junior Jack Gosnell said. “They all have my back, they’re my brothers, and even if we didn’t win, the family chemistry was on and off the court.”Jack has been on the team since his freshman year, and even as new players come in, the bonds still stand.
Gosnell explains that while that comes from the coaches, it also comes from the people, and that family aspect is a crucial part of Strath Haven sports.
“I think the coaches should encourage the team to get to know each other better and allow those bonds to happen,” junior Maryella Gill said. “That includes the coaches too, because if they’re too detached then they feel unreachable to the kids.”
Gill has poured her heart and soul into this team being a varsity starter since her freshman year. And while next year will be her last season playing, she still cares about the future of the team and their advancements.
Gosnell also notes that any coach needs to be flexible, understanding, and look to move forward, not reflect on the past. While the girls’ team has found this with their coach Brandi Johnson, the boys are still working on this.
“I was looking for a coach who would stay for the long haul,” Mosley said. “The best programs have time to be really good, so I was looking for someone who wanted to stick with the team and had a commitment to the program.”
While the boys have had multiple coaches during their time, it has not diminished their spirits or commitment to the team.
“Our team knows the record from last season, knows it wasn’t good, but we don’t think of ourselves like that,” Gosnell said. “We don’t think that’s the team we’re gonna be this year, and we’re gonna be a lot better.”
While other teams might have better records or more wins, the Panthers’ chemistry makes up for the game losses they have seen.
Tim Livingstone is the new varsity basketball coach for Strath Haven, and the team looks forward to his coaching. Livingstone has coached club basketball in the area and is familiar with a lot of the team including John Reilly, Jack Gosnell, and others. Gosnell and Mosley both agree his previous relationship with players will aid growth and make the transition period easier.
Like with any coach’s first year, it will be challenging as the transition period can be frustrating and discouraging. Coming into a new job, meeting new kids, building a relationship, and coaching simultaneously is a tough job. However, Livingstone is up to the challenge and is fearless of everything. The basketball program is looking up, as they continue to win, and continue to grow their bonds on the team.
“For the athletes who are probably seniors now, this will be their fourth coach– that’s not fair to them, and at the end of the day, this is for the kids. They need some longevity in the program, and we’re hopeful for that in the upcoming season,” Mosley said.
