Published: 11/19/2019 9:45:23 PM
Modified: 11/19/2019 10:30:01 PM
Reaching a Western Mass. final for the first time since 1990 earned John Hickey some additional recognition from his peers for the third time in his coaching career.
The Massachusetts Basketball Coaches Association announced Monday that Hickey won the MBCA Coach of the Year award for Division 3 after the Greenfield girls basketball team made its way to the sectional finals for the first time in 29 years with a 19-4 record last season.
The Wave lost to eventual state champion Hoosac Valley.
“It’s definitely an honor because its voted on by your peers,” Hickey said. “Your fellow coaches in your division. To me right there that’s an honor. We had a good year. I was blessed with some great players and some great assistant coaches.”
Hickey shared credit for the award with assistants Andy Rup and Roy Emerson.
“They were really instrumental the last couple years,” Hickey said. “It’s a great award and I am proud of it but it’s a team effort for sure.”
Hickey earned his second MBCA Coach of the Year award after guiding the Green Wave to a 19-2 record in 2016. He won his first MBCA Coach of the Year while coaching the boys’ basketball team at Mohawk Trail Regional High School in 2008-09.
The MBCA Hall of Fame banquet is on December 1 at Holy Cross in Worcester, but Hickey will not be able to attend this time around with the season starting the next day for the Green Wave.
Hickey, who graduated from Greenfield in 1984, is entering his ninth year with the team. Greenfield lost some firepower to graduation.
“We are looking to be competitve every night,” Hickey said. “Get to 10 wins and qualify for tournament. We have some good young kids coming in. I am excited for another year.”
The Wave return two starters in Katie Haselton and Racquel Provost.