A new era begins for the Scouts. As the first-year head coach, Coach Joe Pettinger takes over a team with a youthful roster, as four starters are gone from last year’s lineup. The team is focused on getting “1% better” each day, proving that they are ready for the challenge ahead.
When the news got out that the previous Head Coach, Phil LaScala, was resigning from 20 years of dedication and service to the program, the initial reaction from the basketball players and the school was the same: “Who’s next?”
The young coach brings nine years of experience from Marist High School, where he helped guide the program to a State run in his final season. Pettinger comes from a long line of coaches, so it was no surprise that while he was officiating a high school boys lacrosse game, a conversation came up with the game crew that the school was looking for a new head basketball coach.
“I said, you know what, I’m going to throw my hat into the ring, and I had about 12 different dominoes fall my way to get this job,” Pettinger said.
From the moment Pettinger stepped onto the Lake Forest court, he wanted to put his own stamp on this program. One of the biggest adjustments he has made so far is speeding things up on offense, pushing the pace of the ball, allowing more shots up, and driving to outwork the opposing team defensively rather than having it more slowed and controlled than it was in previous years.
“…playing fast means, we’re moving but we’re under control and so we’ve been really emphasizing trying to play fast, trying to move the ball up the court quickly, and see if we can create an advantage quickly to score,” Pettinger said. “That’s the purpose of playing, you being fast and in transition is to create an advantage. And if it’s not an advantage and the defense is set, then we continue out without forcing something.”
Returning starter senior Dominic Mordini says he is excited to play in an offensive scheme that is designed to be more fast-paced.
“You get more free flow. You can play your game, and it’s not as strict, so it should be fun to see the new changes,” he said. “The new type of offense is definitely an upgrade for our program because I think it’ll make us a more dominant offensive team.”
Pettinger has also revised the Scouts’ practice style. The pace and environment are more intense, with an emphasis on full team scrimmage time, while also sustaining a lively dynamic for the full two to three hours.
“During practice, we are allowed to listen to music now, which has changed a lot; there’s a lot more energy during practice. And the style of play is a lot more active, so I feel like everyone’s more into it,” senior John White said.
With a new offensive and practice style in place, the team inherits younger players added to this year’s roster. The 16-man team includes seven seniors, five juniors, and four sophomores. Just one returning starter, Dom Mordini, brings experience to the varsity court.
“We have a younger team this year, so it’s a lot of new faces and kind of an inexperienced squad,” Mordini said.” I feel like leadership is a very big thing because we don’t have a lot of on-court experience, so the best leader I can be is just by pushing my guys every single day or being a good leader on and off the court, which is super essential for success.”
While the team’s youth could present some challenges, many of the younger players aren’t starting from scratch. Several of their older brothers have played at the high school or even college level, giving them a built-in familiarity as they step onto the court.
Pettinger isn’t setting any specific expectations just yet. He is more focused on the “process” of development on the court rather than one specific result.
“I would say our focus as a coaching staff and as players is to continuously get a little bit better each day. It’s a process, it’s a journey. I’m used to the phrase get 1% better. And if we get 1% better on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Well, that’s 4%,” Pettinger said. “Now we’re going to have 50 practices this season, and we’re going to play 30 games, so if we can get 1% better through those games, through those practices, that’s 80 times we’re playing together, and all of a sudden, that’s where you see the drastic growth.”
Behind all of the hard work and multiple strengths the Scouts carry, there is one that stands out above all else, and to Pettinger, that is the tight-knit bond.
“So the thing I am obsessed with is just the bond and connection. Not every guy is going to be best friends, but everyone respects each other, pushing for each other, pulling for each other, just the connection with the group is definitely, I think, a strength we have right now.” Pettinger said.
Pettinger gives his credit to the previous Head Coach, LaScala, for building the team bond over his years of unwavering commitment.
“I mean, he built this foundation of being unselfish and caring about your teammates and working to the best of your abilities, whether you’re going to play on Friday night or you’re one of the guys pushing your teammates on the bench. And so really, the connection, I would say, is a strength. I think Cost Lascala really gets a lot of credit for that,” Pettinger said.
There is a lot to look forward to for the rest of the season, and the Scouts are just getting started. Watch the Scouts play their first game next Monday (11/24) against the Loyola Ramblers at 5:00 PM.
