Big changes are coming to the North Royalton Boys Basketball program.
Nick Lapsevich, who was the head coach of the Boys Varsity Basketball team since the 2015-16 season, has announced his resignation to become an assistant men’s basketball coach at Baldwin-Wallace University.
Coach Lapsevich was around the NR basketball program for 17 years both as an assistant coach and as head coach.
Lapsevich cited a number of highlights during his time with the Bears. “Back-to-Back Suburban League championships are at the top of the list. We made it to the districts a couple of times, and Omar Abuhamdeh being named as Suburban League Most Valuable Player in consecutive seasons.” During his years as head coach, Lapsevich had a record of 90 wins and 50 losses.
Moving up to the next level of basketball coaching has been on Coach Lapsevich’s mind for a while. “It’s kind of evolved over time from when I first got into coaching. This year it just came about.”
Lapsevich will be involved in all aspects of coaching at BW, from getting the team prepared for the season to game night duties. “I’ll be involved in game preparation, scouting, recruiting, game decisions and player development. The coaching staff is unbelievable, so are the players. BW had a very young team last year so everyone’s back. I’m really excited to be part of their program.”
This biggest difference between coaching at North Royalton and at BW will be recruiting. Instead of having college coaches talking to him at North Royalton, Coach Lapsevich will be going to high school gyms to watch players and talk to coaches. “Recruiting is all about developing relationships with players and families. Recruiting is going to be a lot of fun. I’m looking forward to doing it.”
While Lapsevich is moving onward in his coaching career, there are a lot of aspects of leading the boys’ basketball team at North Royalton that he will miss.
“We really had a family mentality at North Royalton. I really loved the culture we had here with our program. We had special kids and special families, and great coaches and great people to work with. We had one goal in mind and that was to be successful.”
One of Lapsevich’s goals with the Bears was to cut down nets. “Two seasons in a row, we did that (cut down the nets at the end of the season). This last season was pretty crazy with COVID. It was special to me to do that (back-to-back Suburban League championships), and to work with Coach Matus and Coach Garman. The things that I will cherish the most are the players and the memories that are created on a daily basis. We had a lot of fun together, like celebrating in the locker room after games, laughing, and being there for each other in good times and bad.”
Coach Lapsevich realizes the effect his coaching had on the teenagers who came through the program. “Being a coach is a special thing because you can impact so many people. You can help people to better their lives and give them good memories.”
We wish Coach Nick Lapsevich the best of luck as he moves onto Baldwin Wallace.
By JOE JASTRZEMSKI
Contributing Writer
