The moms leading Middle School boys to excellence.
“The success of our program goes far beyond trophies.” With this sentence, Mrs. Jessica Copeland, Head Coach, begins to get at the essence of Donahue Academy’s boys’ basketball program at the Logic Stage (Grades 6 to 8), which also includes some students from the Grammar Stage (Grade 5). She goes on: “our season typically consists of 10 games leading into a conference tournament, and while competition is important, our primary focus has always been development – both as athletes and as young men. From fundamentals and teamwork to confidence and sportsmanship, we emphasize growth and helping the boys truly fall in love with the game of basketball.” She adds: “One of my favorite parts of coaching at Donahue is the unique experience of leading a team at a Catholic school.” That includes a deep integration of faith and virtue as facets of athletic excellence. “Before every practice and every game, we pray together. Faith is not an add-on—it’s a foundation.” Here, Mrs. Copeland shares an endearing case in point: “One game in particular stands out. One of the boys volunteered to lead the prayer and confidently said, ‘Our Lady of Victory, pray for us. Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for them.’ He then giggled and told me afterward, ‘I asked Our Lady of Sorrows to pray for them because they’re going to lose.’ Moments like that highlight the joy, innocence, and faith these boys bring to the game.”
Mrs. Katie Halisky, Assistant Coach, echoes these exact priorities: “One of the most important aspects of our [program] is that we begin and end every practice with prayer. We place our team under the intercession of Our Lady of Victory, reminding the boys that God is present in every part of their lives — including athletics. Our goal is not only to develop strong basketball players, but strong young men. As St. John Paul II taught, sport, when understood properly, is ‘not an end in itself but a means to total and harmonious physical, moral, and social development.’ We view basketball as a way for the boys to learn discipline, teamwork, and self-mastery — using their mind, body, and soul together as a path toward virtue and sanctity.”
With such a sharp focus on the simultaneous development of both character and athleticism, the program is thriving. “We have 24 boys signed up this season, [so] we were able to split into a Grade 5 and Grade 6 teams, giving the boys more opportunities to play, grow, and develop. We try to schedule as many games as possible for both A and B teams… we also run Saturday scrimmages among our own boys. Those have been a lot of fun and very competitive — with the winning team earning a dozen donuts,” says Mrs. Halisky. “Donahue has a long and very successful basketball history, having won many conference championships over the years, including last year. The boys definitely have big shoes to fill.”
Both Mrs. Copeland and Halisky come from families where basketball is cherished. Mrs. Halisky shares: “Thanks to my dad, basketball has been a huge part of my life since elementary school. I played competitively through high school and continued at the collegiate level at Christendom College… I love working with kids, and coaching has been such a rewarding experience.” Mrs. Copeland, adds: “after five years, countless practices, competitive games, prayers, and championships, I’m grateful to be part of a program that values development, faith, and a genuine love for the sport.” These two dedicated coaches are also grateful for the support of parents, especially Mr. Mike Esposito, “for all his help training the boys in skills and drills.” Go Shamrocks!
