Fairman has high expectations for Thomas Jefferson girls basketball

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, June 21, 2018 | 9:55 AM

The Fairman family roots are entrenched firmly at Thomas Jefferson High School, including Lisa Fairman, hired recently to take over as head coach of the girls basketball program.

Fairman is “coming home” after serving as floor boss of the Belle Vernon girls basketball team for seven seasons. Fairman played hoops at TJ for four years — her maiden name is Pritchard — and graduated from high school in 1991. She then earned a degree in elementary education at Cal (Pa.).

Fairman has replaced former coach George Vlassich, who resigned following two successful seasons at TJ.

The position was opened in April. School board members at a special meeting May 8 approved Fairman's appointment by a 7-0 vote.

“I am very excited and honored on being hired,” Fairman said. “There are a lot of great athletes within this program, and I look forward to the upcoming season.”

TJ finished 21-5 overall in 2017-18 and won the Section 2-5A title with a 9-1 mark. The Jaguars advanced to the WPIAL quarterfinals and PIAA second round.

After a season-opening setback, the Jaguars won 10 games in a row, then marched into the playoffs by winning nine of their last 10 regular-season contests.

There were four seniors, including two starters, on the 2017-18 squad. Three starters and one letter winner will return.

The team's leading scorer, 5-foot-7 junior guard Jenna Clark (17.7 ppg), will be a senior next season, as will 5-6 guard Shaylor Williams. The Jaguars' third returning starter will be Alyssa DeAngelo, a 5-9 guard/forward. They will be joined by senior guard Julia Shearn next year.

DeAngelo led a strong sophomore class in 2017-18 that also included guards Ashley Guidone, Molly Wagner and Lydia Shaw, forward Natasha Yanief, and guard/forwards Allison Weidman and Cathryn Coles.

“We've set goals already going into this season,” Fairman said, “and I believe my team has the talent, work ethic and heart to give everything they have to achieve their goals. We have discussed three goals which will keep us focused, determined and continuously working together: First, section; next, WPIAL; then, states.

“These girls have dreamt of conquering (these goals), and that is our mindset. This team plays with passion, and the girls are willing to give their all on the court. You can expect to see a strong defensive and rebounding team to control the tempo the way we want, to let our offensive talent and speed take over.”

The 2017-18 campaign at Belle Vernon proved historic, as the Leopards enjoyed their best season since the start of the new millennium. And their 12-2 record in section play also was tops in recent memory.

Belle Vernon posted a 17-5 regular-season record — the best mark since 1998-99 — and entered the WPIAL Class 4A playoffs as a section runner-up. BV employed one of the stingiest defensive teams in 4A with a 43.2 ppg average, and earned its first PIAA playoff berth in 20 years.

The Leopards defeated Knoch, 55-45, in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs, giving Fairman victory No. 100 in her career. She compiled a 100-64 record at BV.

“I am very thankful for my seven seasons at Belle Vernon,” Fairman said. “Over the years, we created a very successful program in which several players have gone on to continue their basketball career in college. I will always remember my players there, and I am grateful for everyone's support. I am very thankful for the players I have had the opportunity to coach, the friendships that have been made, and the support from everyone in the district.

“I have many great memories at BV, and they all stemmed from us working together and creating an environment of trust and teamwork. My first playoff win there will be one I will always remember, and this past year getting my 100th (career) win against Knoch in the playoffs will again be something I will never forget.”

Fairman's coaching resume also includes: Elizabeth Forward girls assistant (2008-2011), TJ girls (2002-04), TJ girls assistant (2000-2002), Pleasant Hills Middle School girls (1993-2000), South Park Middle School girls (1992-93), Metro AAU girls (three years) and Metro boys/girls (eight years).

Fairman served as a volunteer assistant for the Washington & Jefferson women's basketball team in 2017-18.

“I will continue as a volunteer at W&J,” Fairman said. “It's a great opportunity for me to continue to work with Jina DeRubbo, an outstanding coach, and bring ideas and concepts back to the girls at TJ.”

Fairman, who will be assisted by Skylar Williams, has developed her own basic coaching philosophies over the years, such as:

“A team must be disciplined in order to be successful; discipline and fun are not exclusive of one another. We must continually teach good habits to develop a positive teamwork mentality; to create an environment of trust in each other.

“Everyone will bring something different to the team, and I believe to be successful everyone must buy into their role and believe in the system. We must all work together to achieve success.”

Fairman, a certified personal trainer, is married to Eric, a 1990 Baldwin graduate who has an athletic background in baseball and attended the International Culinary Academy.

The Fairmans have five children — Eric, Alysa, Garret, Hunter and Graci.

Eric, Alysa and Garret are TJ graduates; Garret was a senior in 2017-18. Hunter and Graci will be a sophomore and freshman, respectively, in the fall.

All five siblings have strong athletic backgrounds.

Eric and Garret both played football, basketball and baseball in high school. Eric is a member of the Cal (Pa.) baseball team; Garret will play football at Robert Morris.

Alysa competed in volleyball, basketball and softball at TJ, and now is a member of the Carlow softball program.

Hunter plays hockey at TJ, and Graci will join the girls basketball program this year.

Ray Fisher is a freelance writer.

Tags: Thomas Jefferson