WEST ISLIP, NY - The Boys Basketball Team at St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School will be in good hands with the new Head Varsity Coach, Andre Edwards. Coach Andre Edwards is well-acquainted with starting on the ground floor and working his way up, and his experience as JV Head Coach at St. John's made him the perfect candidate to take the helm.
As a Wyandanch native, Edwards returned to his district middle school to jump start his coaching career. Within a few years, he took over the reigns of Wyandanch HS' varsity program and led the Warriors to a county championship. He launched his grass roots Team Underrated AAU program in 2003, providing a home for local talent, and eventually expanded to national stages. Edwards' services even expanded to the semi-pro leagues of Long Island.
"My mission is to continue building student-athletes," Edwards divulged. "Recruiting is not in my vocabulary. Parents and kids will see the good things going on at SJB and want to be a part of it. I'm happy and excited that I can bring something to a program like St. John the Baptist."
His accolades include the 2008-09 League 7 Champs, 2009-10 Coach of the Year for Wyandanch School District, 2009-10 Suffolk County Class B Champs & BCD Champs.
Boys Athletic Director, Ralph Dalton, expressed, "First, I would like to thank Coach Jim Plate and his coaching staff for all that they did to help make the St. John's boys varsity basketball team what it is today, a strong opponent and winning team. I am very excited to continue with that same momentum with our athletes and expand in new and very promising directions with Andre Edwards as head coach."
Photo Link: http://www.stjohnthebaptistdhs.net/www/drvcny_stjohnthebaptistdhs/site/hosting/Press%20Releases/sjb_basketball_coach.JPG
Photo Caption: Ralph Dalton (Left) & Coach Andre Edwards (Right)
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About St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School
About St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School: 1,700 students attend St. John the Baptist DHS, a college preparatory Catholic High School located on the south shore in West Islip. As part of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, St. John's offers a value-centered education that recognizes the unique talents and abilities of each child, while fostering a school environment that challenges students to reach their true potential. Open since 1966, St. John's offers a rigorous curriculum and extensive activity and athletic programs. Students have the opportunity to take numerous Advanced Placement classes and 99% of St. John's graduates continue on to higher education. For Mission Statement and additional information: www.sjbdhs.org