The start of this basketball season is a time of focused preparation. The basketball program is gearing up for another exciting season with a mix of seasoned upperclassmen and talented newcomers that are looking to make a strong impression on the court, Jesse Edwards and Micheal Everette.
The big picture: Both the boys’ and girls’ basketball programs recently gained new coaches, and the impact has been immediate. Fresh coaching philosophies are reshaping the team’s mentality, energy, and expectations on and off the court.
Why it matters:
Both teams needed more than just extra conditioning; they needed a cultural reset and leadership that could redefine what the programs stand for. Head coaches Micheal Everette and Jesse Edwards took the court by storm and made it their goal to not only flip the mindset of returning players but allow underclassmen to be welcomed into a competitive and family-style program.
- As for the women’s program, having a new coach almost every year has led the team to have a negative mindset about not only their performance and lack of confidence, but their teamwork as well.
- The men’s program has had consistency with previous coaching but needed a new mindset when it came to wanting to be better and be present.
- “One of the first things I noticed was how quick the guys would just want to be out of the gym when practice is over”, said Edwards. “That’s where you’re going to see the biggest change, the heart and the desire for them to want to compete.”
Digging Deeper:
- In the 2024–25 season, the women’s program also welcomed a new leader, head coach Michael Everette. A coach who has centered his approach on building confidence, consistency, and positivity has flipped this team upside down. His philosophy emphasizes controlling energy, not letting mistakes snowball, and reinforcing the belief that small wins add up.
- Men’s varsity basketball gains a new head coach from Lumberton Highschool along with a turnaround mindset for the game.
- “I came in with the mindset that they [players] do need to be held to a higher standard,” said head coach Edwards. “They look at things like ‘just getting by is okay’ and that’s not the case. One of the main things I hit them with every day is ‘you have to hate losing more than you enjoy winning.’’’
- Coach Edwards understands the mental battle in athletes and has quickly learned and adapted to each player’s motivations, allowing him to push his players harder and is getting better results.
Between the lines:
- It’s not just about winning; it’s about resetting the culture of the program for seasons to come.
- “It’s definitely helped me mentally to change my mindset,” said senior Jonathan Daniels. “Being able to lock in and buy-in into a new program has helped me focus on leading my team.”
- Accountability is not only calling someone out but taking charge of one’s actions responsibly.
- “Stepping up and really being a man, you know,” said Daniels. “Instead of being kids and making mistakes, we’re stepping up for them and for other people”.
What’s next:
As the season begins, both teams enter with:
- a stronger work ethic
- a clearer identity
- rising confidence
- A shared sense of purpose
The scoreboard will eventually show how far the programs have come, but for now, one thing is clear. These teams aren’t just rebuilding, but they’re redefining what their programs can be.
