Girls Varsity Basketball Head Coach Courtney Sims is entering his third season with a clear objective: build on a historic championship run while navigating a revamped roster through the elite NEPSAC Class AA.

Sims, a former NBA player and 2009 NBA D-League (now known as the G-League) MVP, has transitioned from a professional playing career to youth basketball coaching. His work with his well-respected travel AAU program, Team Sims, has evolved into a high school coaching career that is off to a pistol-hot start.

After a dominant 17–2 record that included MBIL and NEPSAC Class D championships, Sims and his team were determined to seek an uptick in competition and made the big jump to NEPSAC Class AA this year.

Sims described how he prepared the girls for the increased level of competition.

“During the AAU season, I’ve always had these girls playing up two or three years against older competition, so I think they were ready for that aspect of it,” Sims said.

Coming into the season, the team has been led by star returners Corey Sims ’30, the daughter of Coach Sims, and Jaliah Duplessey ’29. After impressive performances against Marianapolis Prep early in the year, both Duplessey and Sims received their first Division I scholarship offers from Central Connecticut State University. The achievement is particularly impressive, as Sims is an eighth grader and Duplessey is a freshman.

Sims explained how basketball recruiting timelines have shifted, which highlights how exceptional the duo’s accomplishments are.

“There’s so much in the transfer portal, so recruiting is done much later,” Sims said. “For them to get offers in eighth and ninth grade is a huge deal and shows how good they are.”

In addition to the talented young duo, the Gators are packed with talent from top to bottom. One of the catalysts for the team’s recent success is Avery Wozniak ’28, who currently leads the team in scoring at around 15 points per game while drawing scholarship interest. The team also returns Elliana Barros ’30, a NEPSAC Class D all-star last year, who looks to build on that success at the Class AA level. Key returner Yasmine Demeter ’27 has added a strong paint presence in the games she has been available.

The Gators also added new talent this season, particularly in the frontcourt, with Taylor Wozniak ’26 and Joy Mbugua ’29. These additions have helped the team handle the physicality of NEPSAC Class AA play.

Coach Sims spoke about the impact the two newcomers have made so far.

“Taylor is a 6-1 power forward averaging close to a double-double,” Sims said. “She’s around eight points and eight rebounds, so she’s helping us inside. We added Joy as well, and right now she’s averaging close to three blocks a game.”

With a small rotation of seven players, Sims has demanded a high-octane system to compensate for the team’s lack of height and depth.

Ten games into the season, those principles have led the Gators to a competitive 5–6 record against some of the best teams in the region. With recent wins over strong opponents, including Thayer Academy, Austin Prep, and Buckingham Browne & Nichols, the Gators have looked to ride that momentum into the second half of the year.

“This year we’re just trying to compete as hard as possible,” Sims said. “We’re focused on getting better every day—that’s really the goal.”

Alexa Dykeman ’27, who is currently sidelined with a knee injury, discussed the impact of the culture Sims has built.

“I’ve seen our chemistry grow and the way we play together change a lot in a positive way,” Dykeman said. “We’re playing teams that have played together for years at this level. The first games were a little rocky, but now we’re competing really well, and everyone is contributing.”

Although some view the season as a development year, Sims has maintained high expectations, seeing it as the foundation for the rise of a regional powerhouse.

“This year’s goal is to compete as hard as possible and get better every day,” Sims said. “Next year, I want to be able to compete and go for the tournament.”

Despite prioritizing growth, Sims has brought intensity and rigor to his team on a daily basis.

“In practice, it’s a very serious culture,” Dykeman said. “Coach Sims always reiterates that every game at this point in the season is a must-win—for our standings and to help prepare us for next year.”

There may be no secret sauce to Sims’ success, but whatever ingredients he puts in, the team does the cooking—and Sims just wants to help them, as he puts it, “make some noise.”