Q&A: Churchill's Varsity Basketball Coaches Love Teaching, Coaching

In advance of Friday's Potomac Patch Game(s) of the Week, we had an opportunity to talk with the leaders of Churchill's boy's and girl's varsity basketball teams.

Coach Katelyn McMahon and the girl's team meets rival Wootton in the first game of a doubleheader at 5:15 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 6. At 7, Matt Miller leads the boy's in a battle for first place in the division at the Rockville High School.

Patch: How do you feel about your season so far and what are you looking forward to for Friday's game?

Katelyn McMahon: Overall, the season is going really well. We are 7-2, 2-0 in the division. We also just won the 3rd Annual Bobby Miller Bulldog Classic over winter break, which was a great boost for the team.

Matt Miller: We've been up and down this season and so far we haven't reached what I believe to be our potential as a team. We've had some good wins and also some bad losses. We will need to be more consistent with our effort if we want to be the type of team we all hope to be and that needs to start this Friday against Wootton. We know that's going to be a tough game, a rivalry game. You can throw out the records of the teams because the Wootton-Churchill game always seems to be close and competitive every year.

Patch: The Wootton game is always circled on the calendar regardless of team performance. What makes the rivalry between the two schools so special?

KM: Geographic rivalries are always intense because the coaches, players, and fans are familiar with each other. Some of our girls have played on AAU teams with each other, and many even attended the same middle school! This familiarity adds to the level of competition and intensity during the contest.

MM: The kids all know each other due to the close proximity of the schools. Many of the kids have played together on different youth teams, even in other sports. Some went to the same middle school. Some are pretty good friends and we've even had relatives on each side. So it's about local bragging rights in Potomac. You certainly don't want to lose to your friends and neighbors because you will be hearing about it for a long time.

Patch: You both teach at Churchill in addition to coaching. What's it like being able to interact with your players during the school day and do you have any of them in your classes?

KM: I think there is a huge advantage in being able to teach and coach at the same school. I am grateful for the opportunity. For me, this facilitates the process of developing student-athletes. I personally also enjoy teaching my players. It allows me to see another side of their personalities and work ethic. Half of the team has been in one of my classes. Lastly, being in the same school is more fun! I can have team breakfasts and lunches with the team, and get to see their spirited game day attire as well.

MM: Teaching is a great way to get to know the kids in a different setting and I've been fortunate to have several of my players in my classes over the years I've been at Churchill. You are always teaching whether you are coaching or in the classroom but getting to interact with my players over the course of the day helps build that player-coach relationship outside of practice and the games.

Patch: Coaching and teaching sort of go hand-in-hand. How and when did you decide you wanted to be a teacher? When and how did coaching become part of the equation?

KM: I knew I wanted to be a teacher when I was in high school. I knew I wanted to be in coach from a very young age. I also loved the game of basketball, and when my playing days are over, I wanted to share my love of the game with others.

MM: They do go hand in hand. As I mentioned, you are always teaching whether you are coaching or teaching. It's just a different subject-matter. I like being involved in helping young people develop their potential whether it is in the classroom or on the court. As for the coaching part, basketball has always been part of my life and I wanted to find a way to keep participating in the sport once my playing days were over. I knew I wanted to be a coach the moment my collegiate playing career ended and thankfully, I was given the opportunity to coach at Churchill.

Patch: What do you enjoy most about being a part of the Churchill community?

KM: The Churchill community is very welcoming and friendly. When I first started teaching and coaching here, I had an instant network of friends and supporters. In addition, the parents are very helpful and sacrifice their time to enrich their children’s high school experience. Most importantly, Churchill has a great group of kids. I am very fortunate to have a great group of girls to work with and coach every day.

MM: The Churchill community is great in supporting its teams - win or lose. We have some really passionate parents and school administrators who are willing to help in any way they can. We always say that it takes everyone to be successful and that extends well beyond the players and coaches to the greater community. We are fortunate to have the resources and the commitment in the community to help us be successful on the court.