695HOOPS WHERE IT'S ALWAYS ALL ABOUT THE GIRLS
Savannah Webb, Pax River Silver Stars
695: Tell me about your coaching background...
Coach: I have been coaching ever since 1998 and I started out in the St. Mary's Recreation and Parks program when my daughter was in the 3rd grade and expressed interest in playing the game. I wanted her to learn the fundamentals of the game and the mental aspects of the game. I have been coaching at the AAU level since 2003. I was an Assistant Varsity Girls Coach at Maurice J. McDonough High School in 2007-08 season and from there I have been the Varsity Girls Head Coach for The Calverton school since the 2008-09 season and I am still there.
695: Where did you grow up? Did you play?
Coach: I grew up in St. Mary's County and played basketball for Great Mills High School.
695: What do you do besides basketball stuff?
Coach: I am an Systems Analyst for my full time job that pays the bills, other than that my life is basketball.
695: Tell me about the Pax River program...
Coach: The Pax River Silver Stars program was started in 2003 by parents who wanted more for their girls beside what the faulty recreation and parks offered. We have played a big role in providing the fundamentals and development of the girls in the St. Mary's County area. We have had many girls come through who would not otherwise had the opportunity to get seen by the coaches of the next level.
Our inagural groups were the most notable which consisted of Jasmine Wynne, Ashley Lindsey, Shamara Adams, Nataisha Young, Megan Matheny, Brianna Henderson, Shanice McClendon, Misty Stachowski and a few others. Even though interest is dwindling, I still make my program available for those who are committed to the sport. Some key members have been Jasmine Wynne plays at Univ. of South Florida, Megan Matheny played at US Naval Academy , Ashley Lindsey played at Claflin College, Tylita Butler plays at Norwich College, Zakiya Chambers-Hunter plays at Univ. of North Florida, Jessica Selby plays at York College, Nataisha Young played at Goucher College, Lucy Kuhna played at St. Mary's College of Maryland, and the Great Mills team who won the SMAC title 2 years in a row.
I was Assistant Coach my first year out but then I became a head coach of one of our teams and then took over the director duties in 2005.
695. What challenges are you facing with the program?
Coach: The biggest challenge is all the people who are going out and starting up teams of their own instead of everyone working together for the girls. Everyone has to understand that it isn't about just winning but preparing the girls for the next level. If you teach the game the correct way then winning will come. Then there is the level of interest and committment being in such a small area. Other organizations (stealing players) which is something I don't do. If I know a girl is part of another organization I consider her off limits unless they come to me, I don't degrade others to make our program look better.
695: I hear that. What do you think of the overall state of girls basketball in this area?
695: I think the state of the game in Southern Maryland is in trouble. The talent level has gone down, too many different AAU teams, and just not enough committment.
695: What do you think about the Maryland State AAU tournament?
Coach: I have not participated in the Maryland State tournament in the last 4 years and only participated in exposure events, but I think the tournament would be much better if people put their teams in the correct levels. Don't take an A level team and play them against C level teams. I always put my girls against better talent to make them better and not care about the wins or losses but the competition and whether it is making you better or not. Play up but not down if you so choose is what I am trying to say.
695: How do you decide which events your teams will play in during the summer?
Coach: I decide according to the level of the team I have. However, I do make sure to go to at least one team camp every year.
695: What do you do to stay sharp and improve as a coach?
Coach: I research on the interenet looking for drills and plays, I attend college and WNBA games and pick up things from there. I make sure to attend the camps and clinics I sponsor through my school to pick up on what they are teaching. I also talk to other coaches. I am certified in first aid, CPR/AED, and sports first aid.
695: Who has been the biggest influence on your coaching style?
Coach: I would say the biggest influence of my coaching style came from my high school coach Brenda Henley. She taught me all the tough lessons and didn't care that I was a special player.
695: Who is your favorite all time player?
Coach: My favorite player of all time is Sheryl Swoopes.
695: Thanks for your time.
