New Coaches, New Season

It is very unusual for any sports department to replace its entire coaching staff during the off-season, but the Half Hollow Hills Athletic Department broke that norm, replacing the entire girls basketball coaching staff at High School West on the brink of the upcoming 2015-16 season.

Tori Harris, junior guard, takes it to the basket against Longwood. And 1!

Last year, 2014-15, the girls basketball team’s record was subpar; they won 3 games and lost 15. Stephanie Mouzacus, the varsity head coach, Brianna Davis, the junior varsity coach, and Susan Smith (formerly Ms. Dittrich), the varsity assistant coach, were not asked to come back for the next season.

Brianna Davis, the junior varsity and assistant varsity coach, said, “I wasn’t happy the way it was done. No one even told me my job was taken away, I found out from a student.” Mr. Pennacchio, the Half Hollow Hills Athletic Director, was not able to comment about matters related to personnel.

The new girls varsity basketball coach is Bryan Dugan. Bryan Dugan has been the assistant coach of the boys varsity team under Bill Mitaritonna and the head junior varsity coach. “I am really proud that Dugan got the job as head coach, it’s time for him to be a head coach after being my assistant for 8 years,” said Mr. Mitaritonna.

Mr. Pennacchio stated that “ he is a good coach, with good qualifications and is ready to move the girls basketball program forward.”

The team competed in a fall league tournament against some really competitive teams, and the girls won the championship under Coach Dugan.