by: Kiyoshi Fish
Leah Dasovich knows she is stepping into a girls’ basketball program with a strong foundation.
As Sandra Day O’Connor’s new head coach, Leah Dasovich wants to build on the tradition and expectations established by former head coach Coach Charles Wilson while continuing to make the program a place where young players feel they belong.
Dasovich coached for years in the Midwest and had not planned on returning to coaching. But after working with Wilson and seeing the Sandra Day O’Connor program up close, her perspective began to change. When Wilson moved to Hamilton, Dasovich became interested in the opportunity. There were a few schools in the Valley that appealed to her in the same way.
“I love the tradition at Sandra Day O’Connor,” Dasovich said.
For Dasovich, continuing that tradition starts with relationships.
She wants her players to understand that she cares about them beyond what they accomplish on the basketball court. Building individual relationships and getting to know each player personally will be an important part of her approach.
“I care deeply about my players as people,” Dasovich said. “I believe in building individual relationships with my players to show them I care.”
That relationship-driven approach does not mean lowering expectations.
Dasovich expects her players to give their best effort, show up for one another, take accountability, and leave excuses and negativity behind. She also believes those standards begin with the example she sets as the head coach.
Dasovich inherits an O’Connor team that is resilient, disciplined, and willing to compete against strong opponents. The Eagles learned a lot at the Section 7 tournament this past spring, and Dasovich believes the team can carry those lessons into the upcoming season.
Player development will be a major focus under Dasovich, but her definition of a successful first season extends beyond the scoreboard.
“I want my players to enjoy the experience and younger athletes to look forward to one day playing for O’Connor,” Dasovich said.
That vision speaks to the type of program Dasovich wants to continue building—one where current players take pride in representing O’Connor and younger athletes see the program as a place they hope to play someday.
Away from the court, there is much more to Dasovich than basketball. She enjoys reading and walking and spent 20 years teaching English. She played center during her own basketball career and still misses playing the game.
Basketball is also an important part of her family. Her older daughter plays at Northern Arizona University, and her husband has coaching experience. Dasovich credits her family’s support in making the opportunity to lead O’Connor possible.
When her time at Sandra Day O’Connor eventually comes to an end, Dasovich hopes her impact will be measured by more than wins, losses, or trophies. She wants to leave the program in a better place and develop relationships with her players that continue long after their playing days are over.
Based on what O’Connor has shown on the court and the expectations Dasovich brings to the program, the Eagles should remain a disciplined team that values hard work. Attention to detail should also become an important part of their identity under Dasovich, from preparation and player development to the team’s approach to each possession.
O’Connor already has a tradition and foundation in place. Dasovich does not have to erase what came before her to make the program her own. Instead, she has an opportunity to build upon that foundation while establishing her own identity as the program’s leader.
The tradition has already been established. The expectations are there. Now, Coach Leah Dasovich gets to write her own chapter at Sandra Day O’Connor—one centered on relationships, discipline, attention to detail, player development, and hard work.
