Many are familiar with the sound of “Ayee babbyy!” echoing throughout the halls of North Harford, as Mrs. Lynn James coached the girls basketball team. However, since James’ retirement, new coaches have taken the helm.
Kristopher Kapinos and Kristen Morris will be leading the team this season Kapinos just finished the boys volleyball, with a 7-7 record and a second place finish at counties. Last season, he was one of the boys basketball coaches.
Morris has an extensive basketball resume under her belt. During her college career, her number was retired at University of North Carolina of Charlotte. Upon graduating, she was asked to play overseas in a Women’s professional basketball league in Lyon, France, in 1988.
After her first year, she was asked to play in other locations around the world, but chose to come home and start her teaching career.
“My coaches in high school, my teammates, my friends, my family all made a big difference. I never liked to practice, but God gave me some great gifts. I just picked up basketball very quickly, and I loved to play games. I always liked to challenge myself and play my very best against the toughest competition,” Morris said.
Together, Morris and Kapinos hope to put together a team that will come ready to play and dominate fundamentally. While winning is desirable, working together and focusing on improving each and every game is the main goal.
“If we are sound fundamentally, and we play hard every game, I think we’ll be competitive. I’d love to win most of our games, but that’s a secondary goal for me. Seeing players grow to enjoy basketball is what makes me tick,” said Morris.
Kapinos agrees that his style consists of focusing on fundamentals. His belief is that, “When in doubt, stick to fundamentals.”
Both coaches look forward to working with the players and adding their own input that will propel the girls to success. All they ask of them is hard work and dedication at each and every practice and game.
“His coaching style is going to be completely different from Mrs. James since he’s never coached girls before, but with the help of the new assistant coach we should have a fun season,” said senior captain Bailey Saneman.
“I really look forward to continuing the tradition of excellence James established last year,” Kapinos said.