695: Where did you grow up?

Coach: I grew up in Brooklyn, NY and went to High School in North Carolina and college at Tennessee.

 

695:  Did you play sports growing up?

Coach: Yes I played the normal Baseball, Basketball and Football even though Baseball was my favorite sport Basketball was my best sport. Played in High School and College and played over seas for a few years.

 

695: Talk about your coaching career...

Coach: I started coaching Basketball in this area with the Lady Majic 11 and under team. I then joined up with the Fairfax Stars and was on their board of directors. After evaluating the programs I started my own program Blue Star Maryland in order to keep the MD girls in MD. We changed our name to the MD Pride when we separated from Blue Star.

 

695: Who has been the biggest influence on your coaching style and philosophy?

Coach: I played for Don Devoe in college so his philosophy of constant man to man and aggressive zone is a huge influence on my coaching style. I also watch and study a lot of Jay Wright's ideas.

 

695:  How do you stay sharp and improve as a coach?

Coach: I often attend coaching clinics as well as college practices. Meeting with college coaches and observing their coaching philosophies is a great help. The game is always evolving.

 

695: Talk about the MD Pride program...

Coach: The MD Pride is formerly know as Blue Star Maryland. The program was originally started because so many of our kids were getting over looked or going out of the area to play summer ball. I wanted to give the kids who had grades and talent a chance to develop and play in front of colleges. Not just the popular kids but the other kids who did not get the same notoriety. There are a ton of kids who have talent and grades that just don't get the opportunity to play at the next level because they aren't all met or all state. We have been very fortunate to have had these types of kids in our program and most of them have gone on to college on scholarships. We develop kids who want to work hard and succeed. Charles Minor and Anthony Davis have been the corner stones to this organization. Charles is a Dematha Grad and played at Hofstra. Anthony (Coach AD) is also a Dematha Grad and is excellent in player development. He is currently the Head Coach at HD Woodson and has coached at Bishop McNamara as well as Montrose Christian with Stu Vetter. Anthony Bledsoe and Wiliam Fairfax have also been a huge part of our sucess this year. In addition we have 7 boys teams who are also doing well.

 

695:  What challenges do you face with the program?

Coach: As with most non fully sponsored programs its financial. Raising money for the kids is always a challenge. I will say that the people in this area have become more informed about the finances. They have been more willing to pay for their child to play as long as they feel they have a chance to go to college. They are not totally blinded by the full sponsorship idea. I have been very fortunate to have great parents so far.

 

695:  What do you think of the overall direction of the girls game in this area?

Coach: This area is loaded with talent. I personally feel there are tons of opportunities for kids to play but we don't have any loyalty to the area. If we came together more we could be one of the most powerful areas in girls basketball. The young talent in this area is incredible but the division at the older level divides us. We have two of the best conferences in the country in this area WCAC and IAAM so its only gonna get stronger.

 

695: What is your biggest pet peeve as a coach?

Coach: Lazy and selfish players don't do well in this program. No one player is bigger than the program and being selfish on the court is not a trait we teach.

 

695:  What else do you do besides coach?

Coach: I love spending time with my kids and 5 granddaughters.

695: Thanks and good luck.

Coach: Thank you Coach for your time.