Arlington High School's two new basketball coaches closed out June as youth camp hosts.
Tashia Wolf and Jake Polk talked with Enterprise Media Group on June 27 about their work with the young Eagles, but also their approaches to their prep teams' offseason work.
Wolf starts with 'great group of girls'
A former AHS assistant, Wolf takes over for longtime Eagles coach Luke Brenn this upcoming school year.
The girls basketball squad she's set to lead was 13-9 last season with many top contributors set to return, including her daughter Macy.
“They're a really great group of girls,” Wolf said June 27 inside a gym filled with activity. “They're very driven and motivated, and want to do well.”
Arlington has participated in open gyms, team camps and tournaments this summer with at least one specific goal in mind.
“The varsity girls are really working on our break — being able to play fast basketball,” Wolf said.
The Eagles are also tuning-up their man-to-man defense as well as a new-to-them zone defense that takes advantage of a roster strength — length.
But the AHS squad is up to more than just that. As it did during last week's camp, the players are hoping to build up basketball interest in their hometown.
“The girls do such a great job,” Wolf said. “They just love basketball and are doing a really good job of trying to promote it to our youth.”
The Eagles want to build to success now, but also in the future.
Polk, boys team build trust
Fresh off a coaching stint at Centennial High School, coach Polk found himself inside an Arlington gym filled with youngsters he's still getting to know last week.
“We want them to come here, and have fun and enjoy basketball,” he said on the second day of the Eagle boys' youth camp. “But also learn a few things that they can carry on with them to help them become a better basketball player.”
Polk was encouraged June 27 by the amount of kids who wore T-shirts he'd handed out just the day prior.
“It's cool to see them wear their shirts back to camp,” he said. “They're taking pride in their school, their mascot.”
At the high school level, the new coach — who replaces the departed Tyler Spitser — said he's currently building relationships with an AHS roster that went 6-18 last season.
“There's just an unfamiliarity aspect that we just have to stare in the face, literally, head on,” Polk said.
It continues to be process as the new school year approaches.
“Building that trust we need to have a good team,” he said of the goal.
During the summer, Polk said one of his main objectives is “making the most of our time together.” He supports multiple-sport athletes and having fun, but wants to make sure his Eagles know when to be serious, too.
“I think we have a lot of guys that understand that and want that,” the new head coach of Arlington boys basketball said.
