Revere’s Coach of the Year has big aspirations for basketball program

By Dom Nicastro

After a Greater Boston League title and a 14-6 record, it’s OK to go to the sky’s the limit cliché for the Revere High School girls’ basketball team. Because it really does have great momentum. And part of the Patriots’ surge was the leadership under first-year Head Coach Ariana Rivera. Her efforts were cited by peers as she was named the Greater Boston League Coach of the Year.

We caught up with Rivera for a Q&A:

Advocate: How has your own playing and coaching experience influenced your coaching philosophy at Revere High School?

  Rivera: My own experiences playing and coaching experience have greatly influenced my coaching philosophy. As a former player, I understand the challenges and pressures that female athletes face. It can be overwhelming to balance personal lives along with basketball, but I always painted basketball as a form of “therapy” for our team – to use practices and games as a moment of clarity from the everyday stressors of life.

This understanding has shaped my coaching style to be supportive, encouraging and empathetic while also being able to hold my athletes to high expectations. I believe in creating a positive team culture where every player feels valued and motivated to give their best effort.

Advocate: Winning Coach of the Year in the Greater Boston League is a significant achievement. What does this recognition mean to you personally and for your coaching career?

  Rivera: Winning the Coach of the Year award in the Greater Boston League is a significant achievement that holds personal and professional meaning for me. Personally, it is validation for all the work put in, but truthfully, I’m blessed to be in a position to impact so many amazing female athletes… It motivates me to continue showing up for these student athletes because the reward is worth it. I am able to witness them make [some] of the most important memories and relationships in their lives.

Advocate: Looking ahead, what are your long-term goals for the Revere High School girls’ basketball program, and how do you plan to achieve them?

Rivera: Looking ahead, our long-term goals for the Revere High School girls’ basketball program are centered around building a sustainable culture of success. We aim to consistently compete at a high level and establish ourselves as a dominant force in our league.

Advocate: With younger players like Shayna Smith and Sarah Lechheb stepping up, how do you mentor them to ensure they are prepared for the increasing demands of varsity basketball?

  Rivera: With a lot of young talent still remaining, we are lucky to see a lot of our players competing in the offseason. Whether AAU or summer leagues, it is evident who keeps a ball in their hand in the offseason.

Advocate: You’ve transitioned from being an assistant coach to the head coach at Revere High School. Can you describe the biggest challenges and rewards that came with this transition?

Rivera: Transitioning from an assistant coach to the head coach brought both challenges and rewards. As the head coach, I had to take on more responsibilities and make crucial decisions that would impact the team’s performance.

The biggest challenge was not so much basketball related but fundraising and organizing our TD Garden game was a big effort and commitment from the moment I got the position.

However, the rewards were equally significant; it was a memorable day. I had the opportunity to shape the team’s direction, implement my coaching philosophy and make a positive impact on the players’ lives both on and off the court.

Advocate: How have you worked to foster a team culture that balances competitive success with personal growth among your players?

  Rivera: Fostering a team culture that balances competitive success with personal growth among the players is a top priority for me. I believe that a strong team culture is the foundation for achieving long-term success. To achieve this, I have focused on creating an environment that promotes open communication, trust and respect among the players.

This can sometimes be extremely difficult on a team of female athletes. I emphasize the value of personal growth, both in basketball and in life.

Advocate: With a significant leadership void last season, what strategies did you employ to cultivate leadership among this year’s seniors?

  Rivera: Last season, we faced a leadership void on the team due to lack of senior presence. We implemented several strategies to cultivate leadership among this year’s seniors. We encouraged them to lead team meetings, organize team-building activities and serve as mentors to younger players. We emphasized the importance of leading by example and displaying consistency, strong work ethic and sportsmanship.

Advocate: How would you describe your in-game approach, where the action is intense but you have been praised for keeping a calm demeanor?

  Rivera: When it comes to our in-game approach, we prioritize maintaining composure despite the intense action on the court. This approach allows us to make clear-headed decisions and effectively adapt our strategies as needed.

Advocate: How do you approach player development to ensure they maximize their potential both on and off the court?

Rivera: Player development is a crucial aspect of my coaching philosophy. We believe in maximizing the potential of our players both on and off the court. Our goal is to empower female basketball players to reach their full potential and become well-rounded humans.