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03/15/2018 12:00 AMWhether as a player or a coach, Alphonse Balzano has always had a passion for basketball. During the past two years, Alphonse has used his love of the sport to help foster the growth of the Guilford girls’ basketball program.
Alphonse, a Madison resident, grew up in Pennsylvania and played high-school basketball, before attending the University of Maryland and graduating in 1988. Twenty-five years ago, Alphonse moved to Connecticut and coached his daughters’ basketball teams until they stopped playing. Itching to get back on the bench, Alphonse scoured the web for coaching openings and came across a posting for the JV squad at Guilford High School last year. He applied for the job, met with varsity Head Coach Bob Welsh, and then guided the Indians to mark of 15-5 in his first season. In the recent campaign, Alphonse’s team finished with an even better record of 18-2.
“I still had the coaching bug...and Bob and I really hit it off, and we shared a lot of the same philosophies and ideas,” says Alphonse. “We went 18-2 for the JV team with six freshmen girls, and we just had a super year this season.”
Alphonse’s coaching ideologies stem from his upbringing. Alphonse says that his parents were humble, hard-working individuals who prided themselves on putting everything they had into their occupations, while providing for their family.
“My parents had me later, and they lived through the Great Depression, so taking pride in what you do was very important to them. My dad drilled into me the importance of a good work ethic. He worked three jobs and put me through college,” Alphonse says. “I stress to the girls that respect and reputation are important. Sportsmanship is also important, and they have to respect every call. They must want to work. I believe in giving 110 percent and 100 percent is effort, and then the 10 percent is your heart and soul. I want them to do everything the right way and take pride with it, even if it’s a lay-up. I’m also big on playing basketball with good form and translating the technical aspect of the game into the tactical and how we use things in a game.”
Coach Welsh says that Alphonse “knows the game very well and is an excellent teacher of fundamentals.” Alphonse enjoys seeing his athletes grow as basketball players, while they also develop the life skills that will carry them far in the future—even if that future doesn’t include basketball.
“I saw some JV teams we played this year where some kids didn’t get into the game at all or for only a couple moments, but Bob and I agree that the JV level is developmental, so I make sure each girl plays every game. To develop the girls, you have to get them in the game,” Alphonse says. “I love seeing the girls mature and learn this game the right way. I’m big on no ‘I’ in team, and I tell them that teamwork will be a part of their lives. When they get older and choose a profession, teamwork goes a long way.”
Alphonse’s 2017-’18 roster featured Emma Appleman, Jordyn Goldstein, Lilly Hedge, Moira Kellaher, Molly McLaughlin, Megan McNamara, Elle Petra, Kayleigh Pritchard, Lily Riccio, and Olivia St. Marie. While some of these girls were new to this year’s team, Alphonse says they meshed well together to create a memorable campaign that bodes well for the Indians going forward.
“The players on this team jelled very well this year and all got along. The unselfishness they displayed and happiness for one another made it a special year of coaching,” Alphonse says. “We lost one game to Hand, but we had four girls out, but then beat them by 34 in a rematch. We also beat Mercy [Guilford’s other loss] by nine, which was a huge accomplishment. Some of the girls were crying at the end of that game, but it was pretty cool, because I saw hard work and that they had so much confidence. The girls had a really good time this year, and we kept things fun. The credit goes to the girls. They bought into everything and did it.”