Varsity boys basketball coach Matt Wright was awarded the Warriors Coach of the Week award by 49ers Cal-Hi Sports on March 3rd, according to 49ers Cal-Hi Sports. 
49ers Cal-Hi Sports, an organization which highlights Bay Area high school sports, looks for coaches who showcase great leadership and are a role model to their athletes, 49ers Cal-Hi Sports reporter Tyler Pfilbsen said. The fantastic season the Mustangs had under Wright was a major factor that contributed to his selection, Pflibsen said.
“To select a coach, we go across the 18 games we cover on a weekly basis across boys and girls basketball, and we look for the most impactful win and what coach led the way for that team to make that win happen,” Pflibsen said.
After a phenomenal season, upsetting second seed Los Gatos in CCS, Wright said he is looking forward to seeing the team in a higher level league next year.
“[We need] more growth and improvement. We’re moving into the A league next year, so we’re going to be playing bigger, better teams than this year,” Wright said. “We need to get bigger, faster and stronger to be ready to compete at a different level.”
After the team made it to playoffs, Wright said the strong relationships built between teammates showed in their performance. Getting to experience how he has created connections within the HHS basketball family is the most rewarding part of coaching, Wright said.
“Throughout our playoff we had a bunch of alumni come back and speak to the team and speak to me. Even parents of alumni came back to watch our playoffs run,” Wright said. “It just speaks volumes to how much people care about the program.”
Shooting guard, captain William Hamburger said he appreciates Wright’s leadership on the court and his ability to recognize what the team needs to improve on.
“[Wright] is very dedicated to helping the team win,” Hamburger, a junior, said. “I love his aspirations for the team and his belief that everyone in the whole group will succeed throughout the season.”
Reflecting on his strengths in coaching over the past 10 years, Wright said he is patient, willing to learn and has a knack for offensive strategy.
“I get along well with my coaching staff and my players, and I try to build a program that’s built around a family feeling,” Wright said.
Wright said many factors were involved in making a great season, specifically his players’ leadership and talent.
“It’s a great honor to be nominated and receive that [award] but it’s also just a testament to the whole coaching staff and the team,” Wright said. “I’m not the one out there making the baskets, it’s my players. We’ve got guys out there that are basically assistant coaches for us, so really everyone bought into this great season.”
Help from coaches like Wright behind the scenes make the plays athletes execute possible, Pflibsen said.
“The coaches are what make the wheels go round,” Pflibsen said. “Coaches really set the foundations for what the expectations are, whether it’s on the court or in real life once you graduate from high school.”
Even after the success of winning the El Camino league and making a run in CCS this year, Wright holds high hopes for next season in the De Anza league, he said.
“Making it to the semi-finals in CCS doesn’t happen often, it was only the fourth time in school history,” Wright said. “It was a good run [and] I’m really excited for the direction that HHS basketball is going in right now.”
