Moscato named Juel Prep coach
The newest coach of the Niagara Juel Prep girls basketball team is all about fun.
“They have to enjoy the game. Our first rule on our team is that you have to have fun because if you are not having fun, this game is going to take you down,” Chris Moscato said. “It’s make it fun but add the commitment to it. You will have two hours in the gym and that is the job you have to do. Let’s make this as fun as possible but we are going to work.”
It is the same approach the 44-year-old Welland native has taken in his job as the principal at Alexander Kuska.
“That is my philosophy. We are going to be in this building for six and a half hours. Let’s have some fun but we are going to work hard.”
Moscato was intrigued about the Juel Prep position as soon as it was announced.
“I like the idea of coaching at a higher level and the ability for the girls to move on. It is the next step.”
The former Welland travel and Notre Dame basketball player began coaching in his 20s for six years with Ontario Basketball’s development camps at the midget and junior level at the urging of former Notre Dame boys coach Mike Rao. After taking some time off for family and career, he started coaching his daughter Camilla’s Niagara Girls Basketball Academy team when she was in Grade 4. He moved with the team to the Pelham Panthers travel organization in Grade 7. This past season, the team won Division 1 gold at the OBAs with a dominating performance.
He expects a number of his players from that team to crack the Juel Prep roster.
“I think it will be a really competitive team. Our group coming into Grade 9 is a strong group and I think with this Juel Prep team we have high expectations for them to do well in the province.”
But there are no spots guaranteed. The roster for the Juel Prep team is selected by an independent panel with input from the coaching staff. Tryouts are expected to start in mid-August.
Moscato is encouraging girls from across Niagara to come and try out for the squad.
“We are going to have fun and it will be a fun time for them. When you are there, we want you to give 100 per cent and see where the cards fall.”
On the bench with Moscato will be former Canadian university player of the year Kevin Stienstra.
“He will add that technical element for us; skill development and stuff like that.”
The team will also be aided by sports psychology coaches Melanie Sodka and Madelyn Law and a yet to be named strength and conditioning coach.
The squad will play an exciting style.
“We are looking at fast-paced transition basketball with a motion offence and high intensity defence.”
Moscato is a welcome addition to the Juel Prep program.
“The Pelham Panthers Basketball Association is excited to announce Chris Moscato as our head coach for our JUEL Prep basketball program,” Pelham Juel administrator Don Larman said. “During the interview process, it was clear that Chris’s energy, character and passion for the sport mirrored exactly what our program was looking for in this role. We are confident that his coaching and personal skills will motivate our players both on and off the court.”
