PAHS alumnus returns to coach boys’ basketball teams (photo)
WATCH – Sitting on the sidelines during the junior varsity game against Minersville January 6, junior Noah Nabholz and assistant coach Nick Schlitzer and observe the Crimson Tide’s defensive play. “It’s definitely cool to be back. It brings back a lot of memories from high school, especially playing at Martz Hall and being able to benefit from the great atmosphere that the place provides. I feel like I’ve never left,” Schlitzer said.
For 2011 graduate Nick Schlitzer, getting to coach a team comes with a great deal of honor and determination, especially when joining the coaching staff at his high school alma mater.
Schlitzer has been playing basketball for most of his life. He was a four-year varsity boys’ basketball player under the coaching of Mr. Dave Mullaney, a 10-year head coach and math teacher. With Schlitzer, the team was able to win two Schuylkill League championships in 2010 and 2011 and one district championship in 2011. Schlitzer was also named the Republican Herald’s player of the year for his junior and senior year.
After graduating, Schlitzer went on to play basketball at Philadelphia University where he held the position of a guard and signed a contract with the Surrey Scorchers, a basketball team that plays in the British Basketball League, in July 2015.
After coming home from college to do offseason workouts with the team, Schlitzer has now decided to become an assistant coach during the actual season. He has high expectations for the team and for the rest of their games.
“It’s a great privilege having Nick as one of our coaches. During this season, he really helped the team improve our offense by working on our cuts and screens. He’s also great with helping us work on our jump shots,” junior Ryan Kondrack said.
He also hopes his experience and long background in basketball will help lead the team to a successful and productive season. He simply hopes the players, especially the seniors, accomplish their personal goals by the end of the season.
“Anytime a player comes back to their hometown to help out, I think it says a lot about the program. [Many past players help with] program now and others help in the offseason. I think many more former players would if their lives would allow it. That doesn’t happen everywhere, which makes this opportunity even better,” Schlitzer said.
There is not a specific amount of time that Schlitzer will be coaching for PAHS, but he hopes to coach for as long as he is able to.
“Nick offers a lot for our program. He brings a wealth of knowledge having played college and professional [basketball.] He is also one of the best at working with our guys at skill development,” Coach Mullaney said. “Most importantly, he understands what it was like being a player in our program. He spent four years dealing with me as a coach, and he also understands our system as well as anyone who has ever [coached] for this staff.”