A Coach's Transition from Boys to Girls Basketball
Coaching at Seton LaSalle
Walsh, who started coaching at 30, collected 227 wins at his alma mater, Seton LaSalle. He led the team to five 20-win seasons, a WPIAL title, and two other final appearances. His experience there was nothing short of remarkable.During his time at Seton LaSalle, Walsh witnessed the growth and development of his players. He instilled in them the values of hard work and determination, which became the foundation of their success. His coaching style was focused on building a strong team spirit and instilling confidence in his players.
The Decision to Become a Girls Coach
Despite being happy at Seton LaSalle, Walsh was ready for a new challenge. For the past four or five years, he had been seeking feedback from peers who had coached both boys and girls. This led him to consider transitioning to girls coaching.Interestingly, his decision was solidified when he was watching a friend's daughter play in a Mt. Lebanon-Upper St. Clair girls game. The experience gave him a new perspective on girls basketball and made him realize that it was time for a change.
First Season at Mt. Lebanon
In his first season at Mt. Lebanon, Walsh faced some initial challenges. The team started with a 2-3 record, following two wins with losses to Altoona, Chartiers Valley, and South Fayette.However, Walsh remained optimistic. He believed that the tough opponents they had faced in the early games would prepare them for the section play. His team showed great resilience and determination, and they were able to bounce back from the losses.
Coaching Differences between Boys and Girls
Walsh noticed some significant differences between coaching boys and girls. With the boys, there was more flexibility and ad-libbing, but the girls at Mt. Lebanon tried to run exactly what was taught.He also realized that the game was played differently below the rim. This was a new learning experience for him, but he was impressed by the hard work and dedication of the girls. He felt that they were one of the hardest working groups he had ever been around.
Support and Transition at Mt. Lebanon
Walsh received great support from Mt. Lebanon athletic director John Grogan and boys basketball coach Joe David. They helped him make the transition smoothly.His wife, Carrie, also played a crucial role in his coaching career. Her support over the years had been invaluable. Walsh praised the culture at Mt. Lebanon, where the girls were positive and showed great skills.
Ryan Oldaker's Special Game
South Fayette junior Ryan Oldaker had an outstanding game on Monday. She scored a game-high 22 points to help her team improve to 4-0.What made the game even more special for her was that it was at the school where her mom, Dori Oldaker, built a top program. Dori coached the Mt. Lebanon girls for 19 seasons and won four WPIAL titles and three PIAA titles.
Neshannock Coach Luann Grybowski
Neshannock coach Luann Grybowski is in her 45th season and has 755 career wins. Last Saturday, her team played two games in one day, a first for her.The Lancers won both games, beating General McLane and Quaker Valley. Junior Jaidon Nogay scored a game-high 27 points against Quaker Valley after scoring 12 against General McLane. Grybowski's experience and leadership were evident in her team's performance.
Clairton's Iyanna Wade
Clairton's Iyanna Wade is on a scoring spree this season. She could make a run at 3,000 career points and the WPIAL's all-time scoring record.As a two-time WPIAL scoring champion, Wade is off to a terrific start. She already leads the district in scoring after pumping in 122 points in Clairton's first three games. Her scoring ability is truly remarkable.