Chatting with Chesapeake Girls Basketball Coach Melanie Herget

Melanie Herget is in the middle of her first season as head basketball coach for the Chesapeake girls’ basketball team. With a 1-14 record so far, Herget is looking to improve in the season’s final weeks in order to capture a few more wins.

Pasadena Patch: What was your coaching experience before coming to Chesapeake High School?
Herget: I was at Old Mill for four years as an assistant coach; and I was an assistant coach for Howard Community College last year. I came to Chesapeake because I was ready for the next step in the coaching process; I was ready to be a head coach. I was ready to get a different feel for coaching. I was at Old Mill, and this is a totally diverse and different background than what I was used to. I know the Chesapeake program hasn’t been the best over the years and I thought I could begin to establish a program.

Pasadena Patch: Despite the losses, how is the season going overall?
Herget: Looking at it from the beginning year to now, we have drastically improved on our defense; we are holding teams to fewer points. At times we look really good. A lot of people don’t realize that out of our ten players we only have four returning varsity players. So we are still young.

Pasadena Patch: Who are some of your key players this season?
Herget: Brianna Zajac, first of all, she can be a leader. We would like her to produce more points, . She is our biggest scoring option. And from the team last year, Katie Alder has stepped up her leadership. She has stepped into a great role as a captain and is really working hard. That should help her progress into next year.

Pasadena Patch: When your team is struggling with a losing streak, what do you say to them to keep the girls motivated?
Herget: We try to focus on what we need to do and not worry about the other teams so much. We focus on what we need to do. When we really focus on that and put that out on the floor we have really closed the gap. We are still losing, but the gap is getting smaller. We are losing by smaller margins, so we are getting there we just have to get over that hump.

Pasadena Patch: What is your favorite part about being involved with Chesapeake athletics?
Herget: I really like the parent support. It is totally different from where I work during the day, they lack parent support. The kids here are very polite and are willing to work and learn. It’s a different change of pace and very good so far.