It’s a privilege and a big honour for us at dailybasket.it, the possibility to present to our reader this interview we made with coach Quincy Lewis, Lone Peak High School, some time ago. We are really grateful for his availability with us and we express him our gratitude.
Coach Quincy Lewis’s speech for Naismith (credits heraldextra)
First, welcome at dailybasket coach Lewis and thanks for the time you dedicate us.
You’re ranked No.1 in the Nation!. Can you give us a comment about yours season until now? (Something you like and something still not. Two week at the end of the season) This season – it has been a great year to this point. We have two weeks left – I feel like we are continuing to get better as a team. Our challenge at this point is to keep our focus.
You created a team so successful. But over there, it appers you created a very successful “culture”.Which is the most important aspect of the work necessary to create a so strong winning “culture”? (From school to boys attitude) Lone Peak culture – we stress accountability. Players are responsible for their actions – we don’t let the little things slide. We also focus on skill development rather than games played or weights. Skill development is the single most important aspect of a player’s progress that must be focused on.
You were inducted in Wagner College Athletics Hall of Fame last October. You played for them from 1991-1993. How was that experience formative for you like a coach ? Wagner College – Wagner was a great experience for me. I was able to play for excellent coaches – two of the assistants are now head division 1 coaches. I was also able to play a different style of basketball – the eastern part of the US plays a more physical controlled game while the western part of the US is more open and finesse.
Can you describe to our readers Nick Emery ? (Like a player) Nick Emery – he is absolutely great to coach. He is the first guy in the gym and the last one to leave. He may have an off-day shooting from time to time but he never has poor effort. He is our hardest worker and most competitive player.
Which player of other high school teams impressed you more and why?We have played against many very good players this year – but Rondae Jefferson out of Chester High School in Pennsylvania is the best we have seen. He makes his team better. He is an excellent passer and rebounder and is an outstanding defender.
Give us and advice please, in your opinion, which is the most important aspect to consider in evalueting talent in high school? Evaluating Talent – other than obvious skill level talent a coach looks for in kids I look for guys who are genuinely committed to being a better player. Guys who are committed are going to put in the time. I also look for guys who learn well on the court because you can have a talented guy physically, but if he has a hard time learning on the court he is not going to get much better.
