New coaching, new culture

Girls’ basketball welcomes new staff

New+coaching%2C+new+culture

Battlefield High School Athletics hired an all-new girls’ basketball coaching staff in August of 2021. Kelly Cordle is the head coach, and Brett Schwemer and Kevin Mann are the assistant coaches for the varsity team. Head coach, Stacy Murry, and assistant coach Greg Dempsey, lead the junior varsity (JV) team. The new girls’ basketball coaching staff is looking forward to starting the season with their first game on Tuesday, November 30. 

Coach Cordle, the new varsity head coach, always desired to be the girls’ varsity head coach at Battlefield after coaching two years as a JV assistant and eight years as a varsity assistant. Coach Cordle’s goal for the 2021-2022 basketball season is “to compete and change the culture of girls’ basketball at Battlefield.” He aims to establish a winning culture at the school that brings home championships. 

Coach Schwemer, varsity assistant, is responsible for assisting Coach Cordle while reinforcing key principles. “I also work with each individual player so that they can reach their potential,” said Coach Schwemer. Coach Schwemer has already implemented elements of the girls’ basketball offense. Coach Kevin Mann, the team’s other assistant coach, oversees development of the bigs’ offense and defense skills. He is also responsible for scouting other teams. 

The JV coaches share many of the same goals and values as the varsity coaches. The JV coaches hope that the ladies develop a passion for the game, but they also want to “push our players to get uncomfortable and push past any limiting beliefs they have,” said Coach Dempsey. Coach Murry and Dempsey both believe in having a positive attitude, communicating well, being tough, and working hard.  

Stretching, running, individual skill growth, offense, and defense are all part of a regular girls’ basketball practice. And, as Coach Mann explained, “We usually end practice with free throws and [more] running.” As the girls’ first game approaches, the coaches and players are hoping for a packed den or the girls’ games and encouraging reinforcement for the players. The varsity and JV girls’ basketball teams are working hard every day to build a winning culture, and the coaches are expecting to see continuous growth as the season progresses.