Published November 5, 2024
BY OLIVIA FORT
After a challenging 1-22 season last year, the Carmel High School girls’ varsity basketball team will be led by Alan Shipnuck, an accomplished sports writer with extensive coaching experience, who is focusing on improving morale and strengthening the team’s skills.
Senior Ava Mangiapane drives to basket during last season’s game against the Monte Vista Mustangs. (courtesy of CARMEL HIGH YEARBOOK)
Shipnuck brings a diverse background to the team, as a “Sports Illustrated” writer of 22 years, the youngest writer to ever receive a “SI” cover story. The University of California, Los Angeles, grad also has extensive coaching experience, including first working for CHS as the junior varsity girls’ head coach for the 2019-20 season. While the season was cut short due to the pandemic, he enjoyed the camaraderie and is excited to be back courtside.
“Having had Alan Shipnuck as a coach during my freshman and sophomore seasons, I am very excited for his return,” says senior guard Chloe LeMaster.
Through collaboration with CHS varsity boys’ basketball head coach Kurt Grahl, Shipnuck looks to revamp the girls’ playing style. The team plans to implement the boys’ basketball signature full court press.
“It’s like a brand new program, offensively, defensively,” the girls’ coach explains. “Everything we’re doing is going to be different.”
Assistant coaches Abe Stallcup and Kelli Palshaw, both seasoned youth and high school coaches, will join Shipnuck in fostering a positive and competitive environment.
“My goals are always to make sure the team and individuals are constantly improving,” says Stallcup, who will also head the junior varsity girls’ team.
This summer, the girls participated in a tournament at Santa Cruz High School,
Back on the court, Alan Shipnuck is optimistic for the upcoming season. (courtesy of ALAN SHIPNUCK)
finishing 2-2 overall. The experience provided a glimpse into the team’s potential under the enthusiastic coach’s guidance.
“He’s really good at uplifting all the players and trying to get everyone on the same level,” explains senior co-captain and three-year varsity member Savanna Radowicz, who led the team in points, rebounds and steals last season.
The team has six seniors this year, including Radowicz, LeMaster, Avery Palshaw, Ava Mangiapane, Bella Tanguay and Tessa Stallcup, setting the stage for growth through their experience.
“By letting them set the tone and trusting them to bring their best effort every day in practice, the senior leadership will inspire the other kids on the team,” says Shipnuck, the author of “Phil: The Rip-Roaring (and Unauthorized!) Biography of Golf’s Most Colorful Superstar.”
As the team prepares for the upcoming season, they are eager to implement new strategies and dynamics, with the coach’s vision for the team clear.
“I just want the girls to look forward to coming to the gym every day,” explains Shipnuck. “Whether it’s a practice or a game, I want them to just be excited to compete and to wear the Carmel uniform.”
Looking forward, the girls are most excited for a rematch against Stevenson, after losing in the season closer last year.
The season opener will be against King City High School on Nov. 21. With renewed energy and leadership, the CHS girls’ basketball team is ready to tackle the challenges ahead and make this season a successful one.
