Alumnae Colleen Beatty (‘18) and Hannah Byrne (‘20) helped coach the Middle School and Varsity basketball teams, while alum parent Becka Davis (Etta ‘17) has served as the coach of the Junior Varsity basketball team since 2017.  

Colleen coached intramural Middle School basketball this year during her extended winter break from Virginia Tech, where she is majoring in Construction Engineering & Management. She played basketball in each of the seven years that she attended Oakcrest, serving as co-captain of the Middle School team and captain of the Varsity team during her senior year. Although the pandemic reduced opportunities for games this winter, Oakcrest found a way to provide students with a chance to play through its intramural Middle School basketball program. For Colleen, this presented the perfect chance to give back to the school community. “I decided to coach at Oakcrest because I want to share my knowledge with the next generation of Oakies and because I have always looked up to my coaches; now is an opportunity to be a good role model for these girls," Colleen says.  

Hannah, a freshman at James Madison University studying Kinesiology, also helped out the Chargers during her winter break. Like Colleen, Hannah played basketball throughout her seven years at Oakcrest. Returning  to serve as an assistant coach for the Varsity Basketball team was special for her. “I really enjoyed being with the girls again, even if it was not on the court with them,” she says. 

Becka Davis has been coaching JV Basketball at Oakcrest since 2017. Having played the sport for many years, she was inspired to share her passion for basketball at Oakcrest. She already had plenty of coaching experience, having previously coached basketball in Arlington County, as well as serving as a women’s rowing coach.  “I realize the importance of forming young women in authentic leadership—being a gift of self and growing in virtue,” she says. “What better way than through sports?” 

 

For Becka, highlights of the 2020-2021 season have included seeing students form friendships, improve their basketball knowledge and technique, and just have a lot of fun on the court and off. “...The girls have all improved in their dribbling, passing and ability to persevere,” says Becka. “I'm proud of the fact that all girls on the team have played in every game.” She notes that one of her favorite team moments was singing Christmas songs together on the drive home from practice.