Monta Vista High School Boy\’s Varsity Basketball Season Preview

As the new season for Monta Vista High School's basketball team approaches, Coach Wade Nakamura is excited to see what the future holds for his team. With some top returning players and a few promising newcomers, the team has its sights set on a successful and memorable season. I had the opportunity to speak with Coach Nakamura about the upcoming season and he shared some insights on the team, his coaching style, and their preparations. Starting with the top returning players from last season, the team is fortunate to have the experience and skills of Ninad Suresh, Stanley Du, Sean Fu, Parth Upadhyay, Daniel Ji, and Alex Tashjian. These players have been a part of the team's culture and have a deep understanding of Coach Nakamura's strategies and expectations. Their talent and dedication make them crucial members of the team and a strong foundation to build upon. But it's not just about individual talent for Coach Nakamura, he emphasizes the importance of a selfless attitude within the team. The key to success lies in the team's effort and positive attitude. This is a message that is reinforced by the coach's program, adopted from Positive Coaching Alliance, which focuses on building a strong sense of camaraderie and filling each other's emotional tanks to maintain confidence. This philosophy extends beyond the court, with activities planned for off-court team bonding to create a positive and supportive team environment. When it comes to team captains, Coach Nakamura looks for players who take ownership of the team and program, rather than just buying into it. The team has several candidates who are being considered for the role and the decision has yet to be made. But regardless of who takes on the role, the coach's expectations are clear – a commitment to the team and a willingness to hold each other accountable. Of course, motivation is a vital aspect of any team's success, and Coach Nakamura has a unique approach to getting his players to push themselves to their full potential. He believes in the importance of taking on challenges and embracing hard work. His goal is for the team to understand that "Hard" is not a bad thing, and that it is necessary for growth and improvement. As he puts it, "If they are scared of hard work, things will never become easy." When asked about the biggest challenges in preparing for this season, Coach Nakamura points to the team's culture.