Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams have recently hired new coaches, so they hosted meet-and-greets over the weekend for the players to get to know their new leaders. The girls got introduced to Coach Counter, and the boys talked with Coach Swanson under his new Head Coach title (he was formerly the assistant coach).
The women’s basketball program met their new head coach on Sunday who hails from Dallas, Texas. “Talking to Coach Counter felt like we already knew each other,” Andrea Kelly said. She explained that she “gave [the team] a lot of hope for the new season and new ideas.” Hana Kahrimani shared similar sentiments when she noted how “it was nice to meet someone who already seems to enjoy being around [the girls].” After meeting Counter in person, the athletes had only positive things to say, and the same can be said about how Coach feels about her new players. “I feel like we have a strong group, and I’m excited to see what we can accomplish together,” she explained. The team brings many “ideas and perspectives,” which Coach Counter was excited to hear about and made her “optimistic about the future of [the] basketball program.” She plans to continue with the team bonding to strengthen the group’s connection both on and off the court and set them up for a successful first season under her leadership.
While the girls were getting to know their new coach, the boys were at a dinner on Sunday night with a familiar face. Coach Swanson has been an assistant basketball coach under Coach Pittsford at Anderson for nine years, but Pittsford recently accepted a job at Hyde Park to spend more time with his kids. Swanson took his place as the new head of boys’ basketball, and you can read more about him here. He’s working to build a feeling of family and community within the program and described the team dinner as “another step forward in strengthening those bonds.” He got promoted ahead of a challenging season with just five returning varsity players, “only three of which got significant time last year.” Two of the players Swanson referenced are Campbell Duncan and Jaxon Gill, athletes he will look to to step up and lead the team through the upcoming season. Duncan is already familiar with “Coach Swanny” and has complete trust in what he’ll do in his new role. He explained that Swanson “works harder than any coach [he’s] ever had in [his] life,” an idea shared by Gill as well. “I honestly don’t know if this guy sleeps,” Jaxon said. He noted how Coach is always doing something for the team and pushes Gill and his teammates to get shots up and be the best they can be.
Overall, the meet-and-greets were successful, and the athletes came away with nothing but positive things to say about their new coaches. Both programs are able to finish out the year practicing under the leadership of their new heads, allowing them to get to know their coaching styles before next year. The 2024 season is looking exciting, and it will be interesting to see how it unfolds next winter.
