Esposito returns for second stint with Derry boys basketball

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, November 20, 2018 | 6:48 PM

Tom Esposito, who coached at Derry for nine seasons before taking a 10-year leave for family matters, returns to the helm this season.

Heading into his latest stint with Derry, he built a coaching staff consisting of his former players and former college players. His revamped staff and the unique relationship they have with the program translated to a productive preseason.

“I’m very fortunate to surround myself with very knowledgeable coaches who love the game and are there for the right reasons,” Esposito said. “The commitment that we as coaches and the players have put forth since June speaks volumes.”

On paper, the Trojans appear young, but Esposito said the opposite is true.The youth movement the program endured in recent years has prepared the underclassmen to step in and contribute now.

“Teams may look at our roster and see we only have one senor but six juniors and expect us to lack experience,” he said. “Actually, we’re a veteran team because our underclassman played a good bit of varsity minutes, so we’re not going in with junior starters who haven’t started before.”

The early-look starters begin with the lone senior John Kerr and juniors Aiden Bushey, Tanner Nicely and Justin Huss.

“Having a group that has played together really since the fourth grade makes my job a lot easier,” Esposito said. “Without focusing too much on their past, we have to establish own identity and our own culture, which we’re preaching team- oriented.

“As long as they accept their roles and know their role will benefit our team as a whole, I think we can get better every day.”

Esposito said the spotlight to this point has been on the improvement and development of Kerr. Esposito said Kerr has grown physically thanks to his work in the weight room and has developed a style that should make him a dominant forward in the WPIAL.

“It’s night and day from last year with John,” Esposito said. “John has to approach every game like he owns the paint. We need to get him as many touches every game.

“He has to attack the rim. Attack the glass. He’s already a good shot blocker, and offensively, his skills have come a long way.”

Predicting how this Trojans team will fare is not something Esposito will dwell on. The players have a competitive mindset, but he said he will make sure they are centrally focused on the moment.

“There’s no reason we shouldn’t make the playoffs,” he said. “I said the word ‘playoffs’ one time in practice, but I told them I won’t say that word again until February.

“I want us to focus on today and focus on the now and play our best basketball and see if the season plays out the way we want it to.”

Brian Graham is a freelance writer.

Tags: Derry Area