This January, physical education teacher Diane Ramirez stepped in as the substitute coach for the girls junior varsity basketball team. Ms. Ramirez, who also coaches girls and boys varsity fencing, helped lead the team in achieving a 9-1 season record and in making a strong effort in the citywide playoffs.

Although she had never coached high school basketball before this season, Ms. Ramirez has an extensive background in the sport. She said, “I’ve been playing [basketball] since I was about ten years old. I played through college at Peru College, then I coached third graders, middle schoolers, [and] college for about six years.” 

Ms. Ramirez said that her experience with basketball led to her decision to take over the junior varsity team. “It was kind of an emergency, and I didn’t want [the team] to get stuck with somebody that didn’t know much about basketball. I had the time, so I did it,” Ms. Ramirez said.

The adjustment to a new coach midway through the season was a challenging process for the team. Freshman captain Sophia Fattakhova said, “At first, we didn’t really know how to react. It felt different for sure having a new coach and her different coaching style.” However, over time and through daily practices, the team grew more comfortable under Ms. Ramirez’s leadership. “After the first few practices, it started to feel fun and we got used to her coaching style,” Sophia said.

Since taking charge, Ms. Ramirez implemented new plays and drills into practices in order to highlight the importance of collaboration between players. 

On her coaching method, Ms. Ramirez said that she enjoys teaching defense and helping players, especially younger ones, to “increase their basketball IQ.” She said, “I don’t just tell them what to do. I try to explain why it’s important and where it would be helpful for them to use certain tools, and I think that that would translate well at future levels.” 

Freshman captain Kalyne Chalas said, “Coach Ramirez made us master the basics and taught us how to push the pace while out on the court, which ultimately improved our consistency and energy…She constantly reminds the team that talking to each other [and] trusting ourselves and our teammates is crucial for successful plays.”

Players also spoke on the environment and dynamic Ms. Ramirez brought to the team, with many emphasizing her focus on player connections and team chemistry. Sophomore Hayley Mitrani said, “[Ms. Ramirez] helped us learn to trust each other, especially in intense situations, and has remained supportive and motivating throughout all the hardships we had this season.”

Sophomore Showa Lie said, “In the first few practices, I realized that [Ms. Ramirez] likes doing everything as a team. She is involved with everything…I liked how she critiqued each one of us, which made us better players.”

Kalyne credited the team’s successes in the second part of the season to Ms. Ramirez. “Ms. Ramirez had a great impact on our team mentally and skillfully…I’ve learned her intensity has added high energy to the team, and it came from a deep passion for the sport and a want to see us succeed,” she said.