By Meghan Foley
Hometown Weekly Staff
Head Coach Mark Nickerson led the Medfield High girls’ basketball team to their third consecutive state championship win after an undefeated season. But this success didn’t come out of nowhere. Beginning his coaching career at Dover-Sherborn in 1993 for the freshman and then varsity girls’ teams, he returned to his alma mater in 2003 to be the Medfield girls’ JV coach and was promoted to varsity one year later.
When asked about Nickerson, Athletic Director Eric Scott said: "Mark is an amazing asset to the athletic department and our girls basketball program. His basketball IQ is off the charts and his ability to communicate, practice, and execute the game plans is extraordinary. He expects and gets the very best out of his student-athletes and creates an atmosphere of healthy competition while the girls have fun and consider themselves family.”
“He has achieved many accomplishments and accolades, and always deflects to his team and remains humble and grounded. We are extremely lucky to have him in Medfield!”
What’s changed over his time coaching high school basketball? Nickerson said that in the last ten years particularly his teams have focused more on shooting.
“Although offensive and defensive strategy are important, none of that matters if you can’t put the ball in the basket,” he said. “So we spend a lot more time in practice on shooting than we did when I first started coaching.”
“We really work hard on making practices competitive. Our players compete against each other daily and push each other to get better. Intersquad competition is also a key component to our success.”
Aside from that, Nickerson said the primary things have remained the same.
“One of the most important things that I have learned in my time coaching girls’ basketball is the importance of team chemistry,” he said. “The success that we have had recently certainly has a lot to do with the talent on the team but the bond between the players is really what makes good teams great. I have had teams in the past that have had tremendous talent that didn't win championships because players had a difficult time getting along. Having players that want to play with each other, enjoy being around each other and work tremendously hard because they don't want to let each other down, is really the key to having a championship team.”
These ideas have paid off. While the 3-peat state title and 21–0 season record are easy to see, Nickerson also highlighted specific wins against competitive teams outside of the finals.
“We also played and beat Wachusett, who won the Massachusetts Division 1 Championship, and played and beat Londonderry, who won the New Hampshire Division 1 Championship, and played in the Hoophall Classic in Springfield and won that Championship,” said Nickerson. “Not only did we play a tough schedule and beat good teams but we did it in dominating fashion.”
That was made very clear by their 72–38 win over 3rd-seeded St. Mary’s in the Division 2 final two weeks ago.
After over two decades with Medfield basketball and these recent career-high accomplishments, some observers have predicted Nickerson will now decide to retire.
“I have heard that rumor too. Coaching certainly takes a lot out of you,” he admitted. “I am not sure people understand the amount of time and effort that goes into coaching. It is not something that gets easier the more you do it or that you can just sit back and let the players do their thing. I am constantly trying to prove myself as a coach. There is also a lot of pressure coaching a team and players that are this good.”
“I care about the players and this program and I do not want to let anyone down,” he said. “So I put everything I have into it. It can be exhausting at times and there is also a tremendous amount of pressure that I put on myself to make sure that I am doing everything I can to help these players and this team accomplish their goals. At the end of every season, I question whether I can do it all again. I plan to take some time to think about it but I certainly haven't made a decision yet.”
For now, Nickerson will enjoy the historic success his Warriors had this year.
“This was an incredible season. To win a third state championship is amazing and to do it going undefeated is even more incredible,” he said.
However, the wins weren’t what left an impression on him.
“Even though the championships are great and it is what everyone celebrates, the most important part of this season is the way that this team played together and played with joy. They truly love being around each other and value their time together,” said Nickerson. “After our final four win, I caught part of Naya Annigeri's interview where she was asked ‘how important was this win to you’, her response was amazing. She said, ‘it is so important because it means that I get to spend more time with my teammates and I love them so much.’ That statement in and of itself is worth more than any championship trophy.”
