Coach Phil LaScala

When fall turns to winter, that can only mean one thing: It is time for basketball season.  Everyone in the Lake Forest community has seen the same coach gracing the sidelines for the Lake Forest Hoops program, for good reason, and that is Coach LaScala.  

Throughout LsScala’s time with Lake Forest High School, he has seen great successes and has also been through some down years as well as the Head Coach, but that doesn’t stop him from trying to get the most out of his guys each and every night. 

“He cared about each and every one of us and pushed us to our full potential every day,” senior center Stephen Young said. “He wanted to win more than anyone on the team and demanded everything from us in order to reach that potential.” 

That passion that LaScala brings to the court and school every day was a driving force for the turnaround the boys basketball program took this year, and the standard that has been set going forward for the program. 

“He expects the best out of his players and without that passion and love for the game there’s no  way we would’ve had such a successful season,”  senior guard Andy Brown said following their 18-13 season. 

As well as being known for coaching basketball, LaScala has become a household name within student emails as well when the surveys for his business class come out with all different types of products.  LaScala finds himself in the business incubator a lot as well as the Comp Gym.  

LaScala is also very well known and respected around the North Suburban Conference as he is always interacting with opposing coaches and having friendly conversations before they go to battle on the basketball court.  

“You won’t find anyone who cares more about their players than Coach LaScala,” senior forward Andrew Levin said.