McGinn named Head Coach of All Star Game

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Created on Thursday, 22 March 2018 18:56

Written by Ted Gilman

ST. JOHNSBURY- It was a bitter sweet moment to what was a remarkable season for the St. Johnsbruy Academy boys basketball team. The Vermont Basketball Coaches Association announced Thursday their lineups for the annual North versus South All-Star game to be played on Saturday at Windsor High School.

The game is comprised of some of the best seniors, through all divisions, in the state of Vermont. The VBCA also chooses two of the best coaches in the State of Vermont, to coach the division one through two team, and the division three through four team.

The game is comprised of some of the best seniors, through all divisions, in the state of Vermont. The VBCA also chooses two of the best coaches in the state, to coach the division one through two team, and the division three through four team.

For the division one and two side, the VBCA chose a seasoned and tenured David McGinn, who was able to turn around a 2-4 Academy team at the beginning of the season, into a 15-5 side that made a deep run to the division one semi-finals at Patrick Gymnasium.

"It's always a privilege to have the opportunity to work with some of the best kids in the state," says McGinn.

Tuesday was our first day of practices for the game, and many of the kids left acknowledging how excited they were to play with the other guys from around the state, and to see them in a different perspective. For me, I've been doing this for 30 years. This is a real fun way to finish the year."

McGinn's Hilltoppers were able to beat everyone in division one, except one side, who the Academy inevitable ended up losing to the semi-finals. But a phenomenal season nonetheless.

"17 wins. We beat every team in Vermont except one," says McGinn.

"This team (St. Johnsbury Academy) came together from a variety of different angles, and that was one of the biggest questions at the beginning of the year was 'How is this team going to come together?'."

"Their chemistry and their care for one another was contagious this year. And that's the one thing I'll take away from this season, is how much chemistry means to the success of any team."

Two players from the Academy were chosen to play in the VBCA All-Star game. One of them being apart of a dynamic brother duo. And one of many reasons for why McGinn chose the head coaching position for the boys basketball team. Antonio Carlisle.

"Antonio is one of those young men that has great character, has a natural leadership ability, and has a passion for the pursuit of excellence," says McGinn.

"I took over the program his sophomore year. I'm not going to go into the story that brought me there, but Antonio had a lot to do with that. He'll forever hold a very special place with me."

Even though the Academy ended up losing to Rutland High School 60-35 March 15th at Patrick Gymnasium, McGinn knows the experience from this year will transfer over.

"We return six kids, three sophomores of got a lot of significant playing time at Patrick Gym and a young man who I think is one of the best players (Alex Carlisle) in the state, who's a junior, and that's a pretty base," says McGinn.

"We bring back a group of kids who are ready to take the baton from these seniors to take us another step."