I’D LIKE TO THANK YOUSOF ETEMADI WHO IS THE HEAD COACH FOR THE FOOTHILL HIGH SCHOOL KNIGHTS IN SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA FOR SHARING ADVICE FOR YOUNG COACHES AND THOUGHTS ON THE 2023-24 CAMPAIGN WITH THE CANNON NETWORK. HE SHARED,

ADVICE FOR YOUNG COACHES: “MY ADVICE TO ASPIRING YOUNG COACHES IS TO REMAIN COMMITTED IN YOUR BELIEFS AND PRINCIPLES, WHETHER YOU’RE COACHING YOUR BEST PLAYER OR THE LAST PERSON ON YOUR ROSTER. ADAPT TO THE EVOLVING BASKETBALL CULTURE AND THE YOUNGER GENERATION’S NEEDS. ABOVE ALL, REMEMBER THAT WE ARE NOT JUST COACHING BASKETBALL SKILLS; WE ARE SHAPING YOUNG MEN WHO WILL SOON STEP INTO THE REAL WORLD, MAKING CRUCIAL DECISIONS. THE TIME YOU INVEST IN THESE YOUNG ATHLETES GOES FAR BEYOND THE BASKETBALL COURT.”

THOUGHTS ON THE SEASON: “WE HAVE A TALENTED GROUP RETURNING THIS YEAR, ONE THAT KNOWS THE VALUE OF HARD WORK AND STRIVES TO BE IN THE GYM. TEN PLAYERS ARE COMING BACK FROM LAST SEASON’S 24-6 TEAM, WHICH HAD 6 SOPHOMORES ON THE ROSTER, AND EACH OF THEM HAS SHOWN SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT OVER THE SPRING AND SUMMER. OUR CHALLENGING PRE-SEASON SCHEDULE SHOULD HELP PREPARE US FOR OUR LEAGUE GAMES AND, HOPEFULLY MORE. I AM EXCITED ABOUT THE UPCOMING SEASON AND LOOK FORWARD TO COMPETING WITH THEM BOTH IN PRACTICES AND IN THE GAMES.”