A continuing feature at Outside the Huddle during basketball season, we will connect with area coaches on occasion to get their takes on big wins, huge matchups upcoming and more.
This preseason, we wanted to learn more about some area coaches before their seasons got going. For today, tracked down Bellmont girls basketball coach Andy Heim.
Q: What first inspired you to become a basketball coach, and how has your coaching journey evolved over the years?
I loved my experience as a high school athlete, and when I went to college and eventually graduated, I really missed the competition. I loved the rush of competition, and I needed to try and recreate that feeling, so I thought coaching could be that avenue. While I still love that rush, my journey has evolved into loving the building of relationships as well.
Q: Who have been some of the biggest influences on your coaching philosophy, and what lessons have they left with you?
At the start of my career, my high school coaches in both baseball and basketball influenced a lot of my coaching philosophy, emulating them in some respects but also showing me what not to do in other aspects. Once I got a little more established as a coach, I started looking at college and professional coaches a little more. I really respect what Brad Stevens did as a coach because of how he thinks about the game…I am still trying to be calm like him though! Whether it was a learned idea or something I just finally realized on my own, I think the biggest lesson is to be honest with yourself and your players. Hopefully that will earn respect even if we disagree.
Q: How would you describe your coaching style — both on the court and in how you lead your players off of it?
This question always makes me laugh. After our first game last season (we played really well in all aspects of the game), an older gentleman came up to me and said, “I didn’t like you or think you would succeed when you first started here because I thought you coached the girls like the boys, but they really seem to respond to you, so I am glad you stayed.” I laughed and wasn’t really sure how to take that. I am intense and I expect my players to be intense, but with that being said I think they all know I care about them as well. I am not much of a yeller because I am mad, but I will try to bring intensity to all games/practices. I try and lead off the court by talked to my plays about the importance of teamwork, leadership, and pushing yourself past when you think you are tired.
Q: What’s one lesson or philosophy you try to emphasize to your team every single year, regardless of wins and losses?
Teamwork/Leadership. Regardless of how good or bad we are, we can all be leaders and good teammates.
Q: How do you adjust your coaching approach based on the strengths and personalities of each year’s group?
I think this is one of the most frustrating and exciting things as a high school coach. If I were a college coach, I could always recruit players that fit “my” system. In high school, you do not have that luxury. Each offseason the coaching staff and I re-evaluate our offense and defense. Last season we played 95% man to man defense, whereas, in seasons past we played 95% zone. I think we have changed offenses to fit our strengths each year. I wish I had a feeder system like Norwell where we can run the same offense and defense from 3rd grade on, but we do not have the numbers to do that in the younger grades.
Q: What were the main areas of focus for your team during the offseason, and how do you build up those plans each summer?
Our main focus was really just playing as many high level opponents as possible. We played our typical Carroll league schedule, but we also added a shootout at Huntington University and the Charlie Hughes Classic. We played all top level 4A schools at the Charle Hughes Classic which was a really great experience for our girls.
Q: What are the biggest challenges your team will face this season, and how do you plan to overcome them?
Oddly enough, we will still be really young this season. It was nice to get our underclassmen a lot of varsity minutes last season, but we still need to experience the pressure of big games. Our varsity dressers will consist of 1 senior, 4 juniors, and 6 sophomores. While the vast majority of those people saw some time on varsity, it is still a really young core. We need some people to step into a leadership role that was filled last season by our two seniors: Emily Bleke and Gwen Laurent.
Q: Looking long-term, what do you hope your players take away from their time in your program — as athletes and as people?
I hope they understand the value of hard work. I hope that they think I pushed them to their fullest potential but also cared about them as people not just basketball players.
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