The girls’ basketball program is gearing up for its 2023-2024 season after significant changes to its coaching lineup.
Lyniece Lush was hired as a junior varsity head coach, Ashley “AJ” Johnson has become the assistant varsity coach, while Renee Brantley is assuming the position of head coach.
Mandy Enyia, the assistant varsity coach, Quentin Demeritte, the junior varsity coach, and Liz Maxwell, the freshman coach, remain on the staff.
Lush, who previously coached at Proviso West High School and Ralph Ellison Academy, strongly believes that basketball opens the door to a range of opportunities for players. “If basketball didn’t exist, I don’t know if I would be in this place I am today,” she said.
Lush foresees an impressive season from the JV girls basketball team. “The goal is for them just to be themselves,” she said. “We put together who you are and what you want, and then we make a good season out of it.”
Similarly, Johnson is beginning her coaching career at OPRF with lots of experience under her belt. She coached for five years at Proviso West, followed by four years at Triton College as head assistant coach and head of recruiting. “I came back to the high school level to help them develop… so when [the girls] get to college, [they] are ready to play,” said Johnson.
From her experiences as both a player and coach, Johnson has come to believe that, with some practice and refinement, “This orange ball can take you wherever and however you want to go.”
Johnson is excited to work with Head Coach Brantley to help their players make the most out of the game. “[Brantley] is coming in with a full head of elements and ideas for the girls to implement to be better,” said Johnson.
Brantley has 16 years of basketball coaching experience, ranging from the elementary to college level. In the OPRF program, she wants to “establish a culture of winning but also performing at our best.”
This year, the coaching staff is focused on cultivating a strong community to support every player. “We want the best for them and they should want the best for each other and themselves,” said Brantley.
Varsity player Jenny Keane, a junior, added that, “The coaches look out for us, and the whole program feels like a family.”
Junior Claire Detmer has spent her high school career developing with the basketball program and has trained with a wide variety of coaches. “I’m really excited to play under an all-female coaching staff this year. I feel like the coaches really try to connect with us,” she said.
The first three varsity games of the season are set against Hyde Park High School, Lyons Township High School and Downers Grove North High School. With a tough schedule this year, the coaches and players are gearing up with, “conditioning, play makes, learning our individual strengths and working to play as a team,” said Keane.
The coaches and players aim to create a powerful community within the program, and the team is ready to prove themselves. “Oak Park basketball is definitely on the rise,” said Johnson.
