By Coach Kiyoshi Fish
Before Coach Boyer talks about attacking the basket, or building a winning tradition, or forcing turnovers, he starts with the foundation of his program: Family.
Coach Boyer enters his first year leading the Centennial High School girls’ basketball program. He wants his players to feel connected to something they can take pride in. His vision includes meaningful relationships and competitive basketball. Coach Boyer wants to teach his players lessons that stay with his athletes long after their final game.
For Coach Boyer, Centennial has always been on his dream list of schools where he could coach, and now he has an opportunity to help shape the program’s next chapter.
A Love for the Game and a Purpose in Coaching
Coach Boyer has a deep love for the game and brings eight years of experience coaching at the middle and high school levels. Entering his fifth year coaching high school basketball, with previous experience at Dysart High School, he remains driven by his love for the sport and the opportunity to help young people grow.
Coach Boyer has been inspired by the “Coach Carter” movie, especially how the coach inspired players and approached the game with purpose. The movie resonates with Coach Boyer. That connection reflects what he hopes to accomplish at Centennial: “I hope I help our athletes recognize what they can achieve when they commit and put forth effort.”
Basketball provides Coach Boyer the setting, but the message reaches beyond the court. Coach Boyer wants his players to understand that their goals deserve effort, whether those goals involve academics, athletics, or life after high school.
Equally meaningful to him is the experience along the way. Coach Boyer wants his athletes to look back on their time at Centennial knowing they were supported, challenged, and given opportunities to grow.
Building a Family Within the Program
Boyer’s family-first philosophy also shapes his approach to his coaching staff.
He values coaches who understand the community and have roots in the program. Coach Boyer has a freshman with those connections, which helps establish a foundation that can support players as they move through high school.
He also expressed enthusiasm about what Coach Kelii Fish brings to the staff, recognizing the value of having people who can contribute to player development and the culture he wants to establish.
That shared commitment matters as Coach Boyer works to build the program. He sees Centennial’s academic strengths as an important part of the school’s identity and wants basketball to become another source of pride.
The goal is to create a winning tradition that players, the school community, and families can help sustain.
An Attacking Offense and a Scrappy Defense
What can we expect from a Coach Boyer-led team? On the floor, Coach Boyer has a clear idea of the identity he wants Centennial to develop.
“You can expect a team that attacks the hoop and competes with a defensive mentality. I believe in good defense. Creating turnovers, playing with energy, and making opponents work for their possessions will be central to that approach.”
He wants Centennial to be scrappy—a group willing to compete for the ball and to bring consistent defensive effort.
Offensively, Coach Boyer plans to give his players freedom to make plays with the ball in their hands. He believes in player “creativity”. His approach emphasizes attacking opportunities and allowing athletes to use their instincts as they develop confidence and learn to make decisions.
Among the players who have caught his attention is point guard Taylor Schwartz. As Boyer gets to know his group, identifying players’ strengths will help him determine how to position them to contribute.
Support Begins at Home
Away from basketball, Coach Boyer enjoys spending time with his family. He has been married for 26 years; he credits his wife as one of his strongest supporters and an essential part of his coaching journey.
Having that support at home helps make his commitment to the game possible.
The idea of “Family” lends personal meaning to the foundation he wants to build at Centennial. Family is something he values in his own life and hopes his players experience within the program.
A Vision for Something Special
Coach Boyer’s excitement about this group is evident. “I believe there is an opportunity to create a special season and give Centennial something it has not seen before.”
That ambition comes with the daily work of building trust, developing players, and establishing expectations.
In his first year, Boyer is bringing a clear vision: a connected program, an aggressive style of play, and a belief that effort can open doors. Now, he and his players have the opportunity to begin turning that vision into Centennial’s next chapter.
