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RENO, Nev. — Sara Schopper-Ramirez has been coaching basketball for over 20 years, and this is her first year coaching at Bishop Manogue High School. Her basketball roots run deep. Growing up, Sara played basketball in high school. After high school, she started coaching her sister鈥檚 Catholic Youth Organization basketball team. Then Sara started coaching Amateur Athletic Union Basketball, and then moved into coaching high school basketball. She has coached high school basketball in the Reno/Sparks area since 2002. Sara is proud that many of her players have gone on to play at the collegiate level, and a few went on to play professionally. One former player is currently playing in the WNBA, and has won an Olympic medal in women鈥檚 basketball.

Sara has noticed specific things that contribute to the team鈥檚 success throughout the years. She shared, 鈥淲e work on being fundamentally sound offensively and being conditioned to play pressure defense.鈥� Sara shared a couple of heart-stopping memorable moments. 鈥淲e have had a few memorable games this year. One of those games was the Regional Championship game against Douglas High School. We were behind by 12 points at halftime as we were only able to score 14 points in the first half. However, we came out refusing to lose, outscoring Douglas 21-3 in the third quarter. The fight and heart my team showed in this game were very impressive. The second most memorable game is the first round of the State Tournament, where we defeated Spring Valley. This game is memorable to me because our team executed the game plan. The team did all the little things鈥攂ox out, set good screens, limited turnovers, and played all four quarters. I was very proud of them.鈥�

When the inevitable disappointing loss happens, perspective matters. 鈥淎s a coach and a player, we can learn a lot from a loss. A loss will show us what we need to work on individually and as a team. I always tell the girls to learn from the loss and grow as a player,鈥� Sara said.

As a coach with over 20 years of experience, there are particular coaching moments that stand out. Sara shared, 鈥淭he proudest coaching moment is seeing my players/team accomplish the goals they set for themselves and as a team. This year, I have seen my team set goals to win their league (16-0), win regionals, and compete for a state title. Watching them achieve each of these goals makes me the proudest because they worked hard, were determined, and their will to succeed makes me a very proud coach.鈥�

Just like athletes, coaches learn life lessons. When I asked Sara about some of the biggest life lessons she鈥檚 learned as a coach, she shared, 鈥淎t first, I didn鈥檛 know how much of an impact a coach had on a player. However, after witnessing girls I have coached become successful women, I have a different perspective. Having them thank me for being there and preparing them for their future, I realize that I am not just teaching the game of basketball; I am teaching them how to work hard, be confident, and no matter what鈥攏ever give up!鈥�

When it comes to leaving a legacy, she hopes that she has helped players fall in love with the game and that they learned 鈥渋f there鈥檚 a will, there鈥檚 a way.鈥� Her parting inspirational comment was that you can accomplish anything with hard work and determination!

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