By Louisa Sandorff and Sosi Sengal, Staff Reporters

The Conestoga girls’ basketball team has welcomed a new coach onto their staff this season: current field hockey coach Megan DuVernois. Prior to accepting the new position as the girls’ freshman basketball coach, DuVernois did not have experience in either coaching or playing basketball. 

Growing up in the Montgomery County area, DuVernois played field hockey and lacrosse for much of her life. She went on to play field hockey at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and was a three-time NCAA D1 field hockey champion. For the past two years, DuVernois has coached JVA field hockey at Conestoga. This year, she was asked to be the freshman girls basketball coach, and with no prior experience in basketball, she took the job.

“This is my first year (coaching basketball),I’ve never played basketball in my life,” DuVernois said. “I like getting out there and just trying our best to win and trying our best to have fun.”

DuVernois used strategies she learned from field hockey to help the team improve. Using the resources around her, the young coach learned the game with her players as well as formed a close bond with the team and an understanding of their individual skills and personalities. She has improved a lot since the season started, and is now bringing more to the table.

To further help her understanding of the game, DuVernois turned to a familiar source for guidance. 

 “My mom has been helping me too, which is awesome. So it’s been a good team effort there, I’m very much enjoying it,” Duvernois said.

Together, the two of them have been navigating coaching.

In addition, varsity girl’s basketball coach Arnold Thompson commented on her help with the team so far. According to the coaches and players around her, DuVernois is already starting to get into the groove of the game. Thompson remarked on how her experience as an athlete has helped her coach a sport that is completely new to her.

“She’s been an athlete her whole life, so she knows what these kids are going through…Having practice, making sure your academics are up and time management —those are all things she can definitely help in,” Thompson said . 

Freshman player Lexi Lenehan comments on how her experience on the team has been with DuVernois as the coach. 

“She is kind of just learning the game too, so it’s kind of fun,” Lenehan said. “We’re kind of coaching our own team sometimes, but she’s definitely starting to learn it.”

DuVernois has coached the team with a different perspective than previous coachesl. Her goal for the girls is to not only focus on winning, but also focusing on having a good time and bonding with their teammates. These strategies help her shape the freshman basketball players into better competitors and stronger athletes.

“I would just say that from coaching before and playing I know what hard work looks like and the competitive spirit, I just like getting out there and just trying our best to win and have fun.” DuVernois said. “The best part about team sports is you can have fun with each other and make friends and lasting relationships.”

Louisa Sandorff can be reached at [email protected].

Sosi Sengal can be reached at [email protected].