7/8/2011 - Kelly, Dugan To Lead Braves
Dirk Kelly and Whitney Dugan have very fond memories of their time coaching and playing in the friendly confines of Henry Boresch Memorial Gym.
Kelly led the Newton boys basketball team to its greatest heights guiding the Braves to five straight North 1, Group 2 title games in the 1990s, while as a freshman, Dugan was part of Newton’s magical run to the girls hoops Group 2 final in 2003.
The duo will return to the scene of their greatest glories this basketball season as Kelly and Dugan were named the boys and girls varsity basketball coaches, respectively, at the Newton Board of Education’s June meeting.
Kelly, who coached the Braves from 1992 to 2000, takes over from longtime coach John Davey, who Kelly ironically replaced in 1992 after a long run. Only two coaches have guided the Braves’ boys program over the last 20-plus years.
“I’m excited,” said Kelly, who teaches at Roxbury and was the head coach there for two seasons. “It is going to be great. We have a good mix of good young kids and veteran players.
“We had a good run the first time,” he added. “And I would like to get back there.”
Dugan was a 1,000-point scorer in her time with the Braves and was the freshmen coach last year for former coach Bridget Jones, who stepped down after three seasons.
“I couldn’t be happier,” said Dugan, who played at St. Thomas Aquinas (N.Y.) before graduating in May of 2010. “I want to build a program and my mantra will be defense and team play. I have great memories of playing here and I want to hang another banner in the gym.”
Kelly takes over a team that went 8-16 overall, but 1-9 in the Freedom Division of the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference. The Braves return one of the Freedom’s top players in guard Nate Sammans as well as versatile swing player Danny Griffin.
“We are looking for Nate to have a big year,” said Kelly. “He has worked very hard on his game.”
One key player back for the Braves is one Kelly is extremely familiar with—his son Steven, who blossomed in the frontcourt as the season went on as a freshman last year.
“I’ve coached him all the way up from a little guy to now and we haven’t had a problem, but he is in high school now, so you never know,” Kelly said with a laugh. “I would never have applied if it was going to be an issue for my son.”
The Braves should be a contender in the Freedom this season with the graduation of the Mugs Media Player of the Year, Matt Tobin of Hopatcong. The Chiefs, who have won the last two titles, should come back to the pack.
Lenape Valley, which is still looking for a replacement for head coach Dan Moylan, had a good year last year but was devastated by graduation. Hackettstown should be tough again and Wallkill Valley will be in the mix, too.
During his first stint, Kelly also led the Braves to three Sussex County Interscholastic League crowns and one SCIL Festival title. He coached some of the top players in the county during his tenure.
He coached all three Brennans—Pat, Brian and Kieran—superstar Scott Hoffmann, who went on to a standout career at St. Ansalem, Luke Vnenchak, Mike Herzenberg, who will be on Kelly’s staff this season, Greg Szokolik, Rob Agnoli, the McCorkles, Shawn and Tim, Paul Filan, who will also assist Kelly, Dan Boutsikaris, who is now a doctor and the list goes on.
During Newton’s run of five straight appearances in the North 1, Group 2 final, I remember always having to drive down to Northern Highlands for the game and the Braves would be big underdogs to Englewood.
In fact, Newton lost three times in the final to Englewood with its other losses coming to Leonia and Pascack Hills.
But it was always a fun run in states to cover because the hard-nosed Braves reflected Kelly’s personality and they were always competitive.
I think Kelly will be a good fit considering he knows all the players and coached them at one time or another on the youth level. But I am also sad to see Davey go. He is a basketball lifer and I hope some school will scoop him up because he would be a valuable asset to anyone who hires him.
I first met Dugan when she was a freshman. Dugan was a valuable player on the 2003 team which fell to Northern Burlington 47-40 in the Dunn Center in Elizabeth in the state final.
She played a key role in the post as Sheakia Jackson, Erica Dardaganis, Lindsey Perigo and Laura Filan led the Braves to their third straight section title and second straight appearance in the final.
Those teams were coached by a crafty, old veteran in Tom Trudgeon, whose old school-style resonated with the Braves.
“I’m going to take from that success,” said Dugan. “I learned so much from coach Trudgeon. He taught us so much. It is great being back because I feel at home here.
“It is a dream come true,” she added. “It came faster than I thought, but I’m very happy and excited. We should be very competitive.”
The Braves will build around talented forward Naderah Scott as well as sharp-shooting guard Lexi Homa.
Dugan will learn on the fly but she will have a great helper in her father, Chris. Chris is a well-known assistant coach around the county and was a big part in High Point’s success last winter as a scout and an assistant.
“He has always been my coach,” said Dugan. “He knows so much about basketball and is always willing to help.”
Hackettstown won the Freedom last year, but Newton placed second and went 10-15 and 6-4 in the Freedom while making the states for the second year in a row under Jones, who did a great job with the Braves.
Jones stepped down to concentrate on nursing school.
It has been an interesting story to watch unfold as far as the boy’s job. There were many candidates mentioned to me, but when Kelly decided to enter his hat in the ring he became the instant favorite and he landed the job.
Newton has always been a hotbed for hoops talent both boys and girls and Kelly and Dugan have the chops to bring the Braves back to their past glory.
That’s it for now, see you on the sidelines.
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