Springdale boys laud new coach, smooth transition

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, December 1, 2018 | 10:45 PM

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Sometimes, a coaching change can result in a rough adjustment period.

But at Springdale, the transition between the Seth Thompson coaching regime and the Aaron Epps regime seems to be going smoothly.

The Dynamos went a 13-10 overall last season and made the PIAA playoffs for the first time since 1991. Thompson resigned as coach shortly after the season ended.

Senior Michael Zolnierczyk, after playing for one staff his first three seasons as a starter, feels the team is adapting well.

“I really like the guy,” Zolnierczyk said of Epps. “He’s real energetic and upbeat all the time. I think he’s going to get us to the best of our potential here, and I think we can have the best season out of my four years here.”

Said Epps: “I really enjoyed coming here. The community has treated me real well. We’ve got some great kids. They listen and have been very, very coachable kids.”

Springdale has three starters returning in Zolnierczyk, Ben Myford and Dimitri Fritsch but some others will have increased roles this year, according to Epps.

Said Epps: “That’s going to make or break our season; seeing how they play in different roles with more responsibilities.”

Epps also has coached girls teams, most recently at Hempfield, but no matter the gender, the preseason goals are still the same.

“We just want to come in and play well, execute both offensively and defensively,” Epps said. “Really, then, you’re looking for depth, seeing who can play, who can do the small things I ask them to do. The scrimmages are vital, very important.”

Epps will make his coaching debut for the Dynamos at home Friday against Quigley in the school’s annual tip-off tournament.

“We’re a lot more aggressive and fast-paced this year,” Zolnierczyk said. “In the past we liked to slow things down, but this year we have the personnel to run. Coach has recognized that and put in some new things.”

Said Epps: “Defensively, we want to pressure a lot more in the full court. We’ve really been working on our conditioning. If you want to play fast, you have to practice fast.”

Epps cited Roman Liberati, Logan Dexter, Van Pribanic, Jake Garmong and Issac Kern, who didn’t play last year, as among the players who will fill larger roles.

The Dynamos made the WPIAL playoffs for the 33rd time in school history last season.

Springdale again is in Class 2A, where rival Riverview still resides. Other schools in the new configuration are Apollo-Ridge, Propel Braddock Hills, Northgate, Sto-Rox, Summit Academy and Winchester-Thurston.

Clint Kollister will be Springdale’s assistant coach.

George Guido is a freelance writer.

Tags: Springdale