SARATOGA SPRINGS — Coach Brett Simpson moved on up from coaching the Saratoga Central Catholic’s (SCC) Modified and Junior Varsity (JV) boys’ basketball teams and is now entering his first year as the varsity head coach.
Simpson has been coaching basketball since he was 19, a student at SUNY Brockport where he assisted in coaching the women’s team.
“I’ve always wanted to coach boys,” said Coach Simpson. “I love it. I’m only 10 years older than some of these guys, 11, (years older) so it makes it easy. But it’s a blast.”
When hosting tryouts, Coach Simpson was not just looking for athletic players, but smart players too, as SCC takes pride in their student’s academic abilities.
“We really push academics with our kids. We’re gonna have a 2:30 to 4:30 practice every day. The kids are welcomed to stay at school from 2:30 to 3 every day. Even if they have practice, if they’ve got to stay, we let them stay,” said Coach Simpson. “We’ll have team study halls down the road when midterms and everything come. We really push the academics.”
While maintaining good academic standing is a goal for the team, they have quite a few goals on the court throughout the season. Jordan Catone, the only senior on the team is in his second and final season on the basketball team and he has one hope for the season.
“Make it to the Civic Center. Semi-finals, final game,” said Catone
“Our biggest obstacle is size. We’re pretty small. We don’t have the most weight but we’re quick so we can counter it. But, if we can rebound, then I think we’ll be alright,” said Coach Simpson.
Last year as head coach of the JV team, Coach Simpson led their team throughout a season where they ended with a 20-0 standing for the first time in SCC history. With 55 practices before sectionals, Coach Simpson wants his varsity team to be at their very best by that time.
“That’s the overall goal but, we’re young, it’s gonna be a roller coaster year, but we’re loaded with talent. It’s gonna be if our young kids can step up quickly. But the end goal is to be playing our best basketball right around Valentine’s Day, which is our last game.”
The Saint’s first scrimmage of the season is an away game on Tuesday, Nov. 19 against Whitehall at 5 p.m.
