James Lake
Palm Beach Gardens,FL
Summary
Dedicated high school basketball coach and educator committed to fostering student-athletes' academic success and positive behavior as foundational elements for achievement in sports and life. Proven ability to cultivate strong relationships with athletes while maintaining a motivating and supportive presence on campus. Extensive expertise in player development, complemented by strategic implementation of effective practice and game plans. Relentless work ethic demonstrated through hundreds of hours of mentorship under some of South Florida's premier basketball coaches, underscoring a passion for the sport and dedication to student growth.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Head Boys Varsity Basketball Coach
Palm Beach Gardens Community High School
06.2023 - 02.2026
- Designed Gator Fellowship Program, merging athletic training with faith-based educational components.
- Strategically led the team to three successive winning seasons, resulting in the most victories recorded since 2007.
- Developed and implemented training programs to enhance player skills and teamwork.
- Mentored student-athletes, promoting academic excellence alongside athletic performance.
- Organized team schedules, practices, and competitions to ensure optimal player development.
- Led fundraising efforts to secure resources for team equipment and travel expenses.
Head Boys Varsity Basketball Coach
John I Leonard High School
03.2021 - 06.2023
- Managed all aspects of basketball program including but not limited to staff hiring, game day operations, in season and off season practice planning, scouting and implementing game plans.
- Used our Lancer Academic Plan to have a 3.0 cumulative GPA across all levels for 1st semester of SY22
- No disciplinary referrals for our entire program during SY22 & SY23
- Fundraised $10,000+ to purchase brand new jerseys for all levels, 10+ basketballs, team camps and fall league
- Increased win total in second season as Head Coach by 13 games when compared to previous season. (5-15 to 18-8)
- Highest win total in 10+ years at John I Leonard.
- Engaged community through a 8 week long "Drill & Play" at Palm Springs Middle School during the summer of 2022.
Assistant Varsity Boys Basketball Coach
Jupiter Christian High School
04.2019 - 03.2021
- Worked directly with head coach in areas of practice and game planning.
- Shown ability to run a basketball program in absence of head coach (Covid related) in all aspects.
- Exceptional ability to scout upcoming opponent's personnel and basketball strategy.
- Part of a 20 win team in SY20 and a District Runner Up in SY21.
- Excellent at building relationships with players that extends beyond basketball.
Assistant Coach Palm Beach Prep Sharks
Palm Beach Prep
Fort Lauderdale, FL
02.2023 - 06.2023
- Will work directly with head coach in areas of practice and game planning.
- Will assist/mentor the top players in Palm Beach County and guide them through the recruiting process by playing on a national AAU circuit.
- Will continue to build and foster relationships with collegiate coaches across the country.
- Complied a 30-3 record across the 2023 AAU season
Awards
Basketball Coaching
06.2014 - Current
- 2019-20 Assistant Coach of the Year for Jupiter Christian High School.
Related Work Experience
Basketball Camps/Training
06.2014 - Current
- Coach and Trainer for Perseverance Basketball: Individual and small group skill training, tournament coordinating, head camp counselor and recreational league coach. Lead coach on Little Hoopsters (3-5 years old) and Skills Academy (K-8th).
- PBGHS JV Head coach for Perseverance JV league (Winter 2021)
- Ability to coach and train all levels of players from beginners to college bound.
- Head Camp Counselor for 180 Hoops under Brian Mullican (Jupiter Christian Head Coach)
- Gym Coordinator/Camp Counselor for Rising Stars Academy under Barry University Head Coach Butch Estes.
- Coach for First Level Basketball under Drew Quinn (former PBGHS head coach).
- Camp Coordinator for Ball Stars Youth Camp which provided a camp to over 150 kids for free. Coordinated with the PBGHS Police Department and worked directly with NBA All Stars Michael Ray Richardson and Otis Birdsong.
Private School All Star Coach
Tournament Of Champions
02.2020 - 03.2020
- Selected All Stars across a large pool of players to find ones that met the expectations of being the best in Palm Beach County.
- Created practice plans that allowed these talented players to display their skills and hone their craft.
- Team included multiple college bound athletes including some that went on to play at the Division 1 level.
- Coached and won All Star game against athletes of the same caliber from West Florida.
Head Freshman Boys Basketball Coach
Palm Beach Gardens Community High School
04.2018 - 04.2019
- Managed gym and concessions for games. Gym setup/take down.
- Assisted Varsity Coach in monitoring grades and behavior on campus for all levels.
- Cumulative Team GPA of 3.0
- Stellar W/L Record (15-5)
Interim Varsity Boys Basketball Coach
Palm Beach Gardens Community High School
11.2017 - 04.2018
- Every player at every level (Freshman, JV, Varsity) maintained a high enough GPA to remain athletically eligible and on path to graduate high school
- Established "Gator Behavior & Academic Policy" for 2017-18 season.
- Valued academics and positive classroom behavior over wins throughout 17-18 season.
- Established strong working relationships with AD, community members, parents and other coaches on PBGHS campus.
Head JV Boys Basketball Coach
Palm Beach Gardens Community High School
01.2016 - 11.2017
- Full control of JV/Freshman teams in relation to player development and discipline.
- 40-12 record for both levels as JV Coach.
- Developed and implemented summer conditioning program and practice schedule.
Head Freshman Boys Basketball Coach
Palm Beach Gardens Community High School
06.2014 - 01.2016
- 3.11 cumulative GPA for 2015-16 team (18 players).
- Managed two Freshman teams and provided 20 students an opportunity to play high school basketball.
- Learned entire process of running a varsity program including coordinating the gym (set up, refs, concessions, stats, scouting) during home games.
- Developed a successful system of transporting players and coaches to games without use of a bus.
- Scouted multiple Varsity games and helped develop an analytics system to gauge player performance based on statistics recorded during games.
Education
EPI - Education
Palm Beach State
Lake Worth, FL01-2016
Bachelor of Arts - English
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI12-2011
Skills
- Work ethic and passion for basketball is second to none
- Teams have consistently maintained a 30 cumulative GPA
- Behavior issues of players are swiftly dealt with as established by our "Gator Behavior Policy"
- Known to go the extra mile for players (rides, tutoring, mentoring, providing meals)
- Has an extremely strong bond with players that extends past their time playing basketball and graduation
- Has extensive experience coaching children of all ages (4-18), excellent teacher of the fundamentals
- Exceptional ability to scout opponents personnel and basketball strategy
- Understands the necessary steps to build a championship culture based on own high school experience
- Understands and has the ability to transform a basketball program as evidenced by tenure at John I Leonard High School and Palm Beach Gardens High School
Timeline
Head Boys Varsity Basketball Coach
Palm Beach Gardens Community High School
06.2023 - 02.2026
Assistant Coach Palm Beach Prep Sharks
Palm Beach Prep
02.2023 - 06.2023
Head Boys Varsity Basketball Coach
John I Leonard High School
03.2021 - 06.2023
Private School All Star Coach
Tournament Of Champions
02.2020 - 03.2020
Assistant Varsity Boys Basketball Coach
Jupiter Christian High School
04.2019 - 03.2021
Head Freshman Boys Basketball Coach
Palm Beach Gardens Community High School
04.2018 - 04.2019
Interim Varsity Boys Basketball Coach
Palm Beach Gardens Community High School
11.2017 - 04.2018
Head JV Boys Basketball Coach
Palm Beach Gardens Community High School
01.2016 - 11.2017
Awards
Basketball Coaching
06.2014 - Current
Related Work Experience
Basketball Camps/Training
06.2014 - Current
Head Freshman Boys Basketball Coach
Palm Beach Gardens Community High School
06.2014 - 01.2016
Bachelor of Arts - English
Western Michigan University
EPI - Education
Palm Beach State