Congratulations on becoming the new Women's Basketball coach at MCC. Let's start by asking you a few questions to get to know you and your team.
Kent Jones, you have been a coach for several years, and last year, you served as the assistant coach for the Scots. Do you feel last year and the season's grind taught you anything about how to go into a long season with so many highs and lows? You are a realist, and you are building a team currently, so what can you take from last year to help start this season running?
Last year taught me that as a coach, you have to connect with each player because each is motivated by different things and in different ways. Understanding that each woman is unique helps navigate the highs and lows of a long season. What I take from last year that can start this season off on a fast start is to have a team goal and never to place winning in front of improving. Don't get me wrong, I love to win, but if we are going to attain the team goal, we have to improve with every win and every loss.
You have a very upbeat team with some players you helped recruit. What characteristics did you see in these recruits as you began to ask them to be part of this team?
I wanted to recruit solid women; the basketball will take care of itself. I looked for great character and a woman with a dream. I am blessed to be part of their dream and to keep encouraging them to chase their dreams. All of them are good humans who can change the world if they believe in themselves, their families, and their team.
When you coach, you are a trusting collaborator. You include players and consider their ideas on style of play. Is there one player you can pull from to help this season begin? For example, a sophomore showing leadership skills or a player with a specific talent you can build a style of play around.
The three players that I leaned on to get the season started were Zoie Lewis, Reese Kominoski, and Alex Strzelecki. They are the three returners from last year. I wanted them to have some ownership in this team. They designed our new uniforms, they put together team-building events, and I have even had them design and run a few practices. This year's team has a lot of talent, and we have several weapons we can draw on at any time. We have a lot more versatility than we had last year with just one or two key players. We can go 11 deep and not skip a beat.
Do you want to mention anyone, two or three players you have specific goals for?
We really have two team goals: to get to the National Tournament and have seven Academic All-Americans. Each lady should have a goal to improve each day and week in the classroom and on the court.
Women's basketball has grown in ways no one could have predicted. It is amazing to see how skilled players are on all levels of basketball nowadays. How do you think that influenced your players to pursue college basketball? The joy of playing? The ability to play confidently because they have trained for many years throughout high school and alike? It just seems different to me than in years past. Can you elaborate on whether you have seen any differences from years past during your coaching career?
I think the popularity of women's basketball has intensified immensely. I like to call it the Clark Effect. With the level of talent that these young women have been able to see over the past few years, they are starting to mimic their heroes. Men have done that for years. Even I wanted to be Magic Johnson. Players like Clark, Reese, and Van Lith have shown that you must put in the work and that it is ok to be driven. The sport is no longer just something to do with your friends. These ladies now understand that they have to work in the off-season, lift weights, run, and play a ton of ball. In the past, the commitment level just wasn't there for everyone.
Getting to know your style of play a little better- Do you like a read-and-react type of offense where players take the lead, or do you like a system of set plays you lean on? Do you allow the open player to launch a three, or do you want the offense to take root before the shot is taken? Do you like to press on defense?
This year, we are really relying on the women's ability to play basketball. Our offensive philosophy is to up-tempo, run the transition, and then Screen, Dive, or Pop. We want to play fast and keep the opponent on their heels. If we don't have a shot up inside 15 seconds, that is when we set up an offensive play to get a bucket. You will hear me say, "In Rhythm, In Range, In the Offense." That means if you get that ball in rhythm, in your range, in the offense, let it fly or get to the rim. I want this team to have fun and enjoy the game. Defensively, we will show a lot of different looks throughout the game. We will be pressing, trapping, and changing defenses throughout the game. Again, we want to keep the opponent off balance and on their heels. If they have to figure out what type of defense we are in each time down the floor, that can slow them down and chew some time off that shot clock. We are hopeful that it will force the opponent to make some poor decisions.
Now that you are a head coach, you and the team will be tested in new ways. Being the optimist you are, what are the goals for this new team? The number of wins? Shooting percentage over the course of a season? All-Academic honors? Joyful play and continuing to love the game throughout this long season?
As a first-year coach and with the talent that we have, our goal is 20 plus wins and to get to the National Tournament in Joplin, Missouri. I believe that our team should have around 42%-46% shooting percentage and 70% from the free-throw line. As stated earlier, we are shooting for seven Academic All-Americans; I believe we have the students to do that. That will be a great building block for the future here at MCC. Yes, I want people to see our team having a blast, smiling, high-fiving, and supporting all other teams here at MCC. If the last two happen, the season will surely be a success.
I am very excited to see what you do with this team. I hope you are establishing the building blocks for great success for several years for Scot's Women's basketball. What is the one thing you are looking forward to for this season, aside from the stats and the wins? Those are easy goals to hope for. For example, I want a double-double stat player and a winning team, but away from that, what are you looking forward to the most from this season?
What I am looking forward to most this season is how these women make a change in my life. I want these ladies to push me to be a better coach, recruiter, friend, dad, husband, and, in December, Grandpa. Again, as much as I love to win, I also have to place improving over that. These women are also helping me develop into a better college coach, and the future Scot women will be thankful that they laid this foundation.
I know it will be fun seeing you on the sidelines. I wish you the best of luck, Kent. Thanks for your time with these questions.
Thanks again, Tom, for the questions, your friendship, your passion, and your love for the sport.