John Bianchi talks Oldsmar Christian’s state title and looks ahead
In Daytona last month, Oldsmar Christian finally achieved its goal of winning a state title.
The Eagles beat Victory Rock Prep 48-47 in the Sunshine Independent Athletic Association championship game.
For first-year head coach John Bianchi it was bittersweet. He lost as a player with Oldsmar Christian in 2011 to Arlington Country Day and last year as an assistant for the team to West Oaks.
Bianchi told me that “there’s no better feeling” when I asked him about earning state title No. 1.
“Playing here in a championship and losing by two and then last year as an assistant losing in the finals, this means the most because it’s the first in school history,” he told Prep Hoops Florida. “My main objective is to get all the kids closer to God, qualified and scholarships.”
Oldsmar Christian opened the season red hot with a perfect 7-0 record. After that, Bianchi and his group traveled all around for some big time games outside of Florida.
“We went to two really tough tournaments where we played Hamilton Heights (Ind.), La Lumiere (Ind.) and Greensboro Day (N.C.) which got us back to being humble and working hard,” Bianchi said. “Our turning point came when we went with our big lineup and went on a 10-1 streak. Leading into the tournament we clicked at the right time and came together when it mattered most.”
Bianchi called his team a special group that had a lot great personalities and hearts.
“The best part [of my job] is having kids from other states come in and seeing the different cultures interact,” he said.
The Eagles will bring back nine players including seven seniors led by guards Elijah Weaver, D.J. Mitchell, Akei Shakoor and forward Michael Durr.
“I think we will be better because we are only losing two guys and that year of experience as a team will carry over into next season,” Bianchi said.
Bianchi didn’t skip a beat this season after Jordan Fair left for a graduate assistant position at Louisville following three years as the Oldsmar Christian head coach. This program is in good hands under Bianchi and it is quickly becoming a basketball warehouse in the state of Florida.