BYESVILLE − A return to the sideline by guiding the Meadowbrook eighth grade girls basketball team last fall helped to jumpstart the coaching itch for veteran educator Ty Sichina who recently accepted a bigger coaching assignment for the upcoming basketball season.
Sichina was recently selected by the Rolling Hills School District to take over the varsity girls basketball program following former coach Chris Miles.
“I have coached my entire adult life and thought I was finally done,” Sichina, a 1997 graduate of Meadowbrook High School said. “But after coaching the 8th grade girls team last year, I enjoyed it so much I decided to apply. It’s hard to get the coaching bug out of my system.”
This will be Sichina’s second stint leading the Colts girls basketball program during his 30 year teaching career in the Rolling Hill district before retiring in 2015. He has held numerous coaching positions at various levels in basketball, baseball and football.
Along with his first stint leading the Colts girls program, Sichina also held a varsity position leading the Buckeye Trail football program from 2009-11.
Sichina’s coaching resume also includes being an assistant football coach at Meadowbrook for 22 years, along with assistant basketball coach for the Meadowbrook middle school and high school teams for many years.
Working to overcome late start
Sichina explained it was not ideal to accept the position until August. But, he got a big assist from Miles, who led the summer program until a coach was named.
“Being hired so late and it being August, and that being a no contact month made it difficult to get to know the players,” Sichina said. “Coach Miles is a friend of mine and he stayed on for the summer so that the players didn’t lose out, which I really appreciate.
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“I’m like most people and I like to watch teams get up and down the court. But it all depends on the players as to how the game is played,” Sichina added. “If we are capable of a fast passed game I would like to see it. But we have to play to our strengths and who we are playing.”
Senior trio will be key to smooth transition
Sichina plans to lean heavily on on his trio of returning senior players in Emma Webster, Layken Lasko and Marabelle Thornberry.
“I did make sure to meet with my three returning seniors and let them know how much I will depend on them for leadership,” Sichina said. “Senior leadership is of vital importance for getting off to a good start. All three of our seniors bring vital experience and each will be different needed skills to the team.
‘Emma is a very smooth with the basketball and will be a big part of the offense,” Sichina said. “Layken will bring experience in the paint and has the ability to be a force inside. And Marabelle is able to handle the ball, get our offense started and will be important as a leader offensively and defensively.”
Implementing a successful game plan
Sichina explained he is currently working on putting together his coaching staff. With the month of September underway, he plans to start holding open gym sessions along with conditioning work for the Colts.
“When I coached the girls team back in the 90’s I tried to build a program by having confidence in ourselves and loyalty to each other,” Sichina said. “Having that team first mentality leads to success. We will have a foundation of teamwork, loyalty and hard work. To me, the most important part of coaching is to prepare young people to be successful when sports are over.”
KSutton1@gannett.com; X: @KSuttonDJSports; Instagram: kevinsutton_dailyjeffsports
