Boys’ Basketball – JV
The Boys’ JV Basketball team is designed to train and prepare players for the varsity level. This program emphasizes skill building coupled with learning the strategy of the game. We are recognized for our defensive talent, especially a high-pressure full-court press that frustrates many teams we play. All boys interested in the basketball program at Derryfield participate in preseason practice sessions that focus on fitness and coaching instruction; these sessions also help coaches select varsity-qualified players. Although players are placed on the JV squad, some may also earn playing time on the varsity team during the season. Since 2005, the team has experienced winning seasons and was champion of the 2008 Pittsfield Police tournament, an end-of-season contest exclusively for junior varsity teams.
Meet Our Coaches
Coach Bates
Baylee Bates, Head Coach
Email: Baytes1018@gmail.com
Baylee is a 3rd year coach in his 1st season with Derryfield, he was raised in Manchester, NH, and attended Manchester Central High School. He coaches for One Dream Basketball, which is where he played a large portion of his AAU. As a player, Baylee is a multiple-time state champion in AAU and played all 4 years as a member of the varsity team at Central. As a coach, his main focuses are great team defense, shot selection, and building a team that takes pride in winning and getting better through competition. Baylee is excited to showcase team basketball and build a culture of young men who play for the man next to them and expect nothing but the best from themselves.
Coach Fitzgerald
Taylor Fitzgerald, Assistant Coach
Coach Taylor Fitzgerald is thrilled to have joined Derryfield as an assistant coach of the JV Basketball team. A graduate of Williams College (2012) in Williamstown, MA, Fitzgerald earned a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and Political Science, after which he completed a Master’s in Education at the University of Pennsylvania Email: tfitzgerald@derryfield.org
In high school, Fitzgerald was an avid runner and athlete, having played football, basketball, AAU, and track at the varsity level. A State and All-State Champion in the sprints (2007), Fitzgerald was also a four-time All-American sprinter in college. A Defensive-minded athlete, Fitzgerald boasts that he had “18 blocks in an AAU game” and earned the “Mr.Hustle Award” at the ‘Hoop Mountain’ Basketball Clinic. Since he claims his playing days are over, he has coached athletics at the HS level for the past three years, working in football, basketball, and track, respectively. He looks forward to sharing his love for sports and competition with the Derryfield community this year and helping elevate the game and students.
