Lincoln Academy athletic director KJ Anastasio announced April 11 that Chris McKenney has been hired as the new varsity boys’ basketball coach. McKenney looks to beef up the grades 2-8 summer program and scale back the high school summer program.
“I believe in quality not quantity,” McKenney said. “Thirty plus games in a summer is too much. The kids have too much to do in the summer with baseball and golf.”
He plans on returning to a summer program similar to the camp past coach Phil Page used to run. Although the final details have not been worked out yet, McKenney envisions a camp running for two to four weeks, with separate divisions for grade 2-4, 5-6 and 7-8.
“I’ve got to get these little kids interested in playing basketball again. I’ve been working with the youth travel league (grade 5&6). We grew from 11 players last year to 28 this year,” McKenney said.
McKenney’s college friend Bob Davies coaches at Thornton Academy, and LA will most likely pick up summer games with him, McKenney said. He also expects the Eagles will play in the Cony League again.
Of the varsity team, McKenney said, “We’ve got to get back to practicing how we play. You can’t practice at one speed and play full out in a game. I think you’ll see a team in unbelievable shape, that won’t fade in the fourth quarter.
“They’ll play a hard-nosed style and leave it all on the court. The team needs an identity. I don’t know what that is yet, but when people come to play us, they’ll know what to expect.
“I don’t think a lot needs to be changed. The big thing is the practices need to be a little bit more intense. You can’t play 60 percent in practice and play 100 percent in games,” McKenney said.
“I would like to thank John Gosselin for letting me help coach the team the last three years. The rest of the coaching staff is coming back,” including JV coach Rand Maker and freshman coach Ryan Ball. “I’m looking for an assistant coach,” McKenney said.
“We are very pleased and excited to have Chris take the reins of the boys’ basketball program. Chris is a great leader, is very energetic, and is passionate about both the game and the kids.
“He did an excellent job in his role as assistant, and has more to offer the program in his new position. Chris has a vast knowledge of the game, so I am excited to see the future of the program,” LA athletic director KJ Anastasio said.