University High School named Justin Blanding head coach of the girls basketball team last week following the resignation of former coach Stacey Summitt-Mann.
Blanding takes over the school’s girls basketball program after three years as head coach of the boys junior varsity basketball team, which went 15-4 this season. He has also served as assistant coach of the boys varsity team under head coach Brandon Lafferman.
“I’m very excited to work with the girls basketball team at University High School,” said Blanding, who is also the health and physical education teacher at the school. “Our girls basketball team played in the state championship in 2008, and I’d like to try and take them back there one day.”
Though he has previously only coached boys at the 1A school, Blanding has 17 years of coaching experience, much of that in girls basketball. Blanding is the president and director of the Northside Indy Magic, a girls AAU basketball program, and the director of girls basketball at Indiana Primetime Sports.
Though Trailblazers will graduate two girls basketball players this June, many of the team’s starters will return next season.
“There are several experienced players returning next year, and their skills are tailor-made for what I want to accomplish,” said Blanding. “Cyan Cosby has a great ability to lead, and she can really shoot the ball. Her sister, Honor Cosby, does a great job making plays. Riley Spitzenberger brings a solid all-around game, and I really like the development of Alexa Nealy. Plus, I like Maggie Klemsz’s size. She changes the game in more ways than she realizes.”
Summitt-Mann stepped down last week after five seasons as head coach of the Trailblazers. She led the team to a sectional championship in 2012. She is best known for emphasizing community service among her teams, involving the players in volunteering at The Lord’s Pantry, purchasing gifts for a local family during the holiday season, and raising money for breast cancer research during an annual Pink Night.
“Stacey Summitt-Mann brought a great deal of fortitude to the girls basketball program at University High School, and she made the athletic experience a well-rounded one for the players,” said John Walls, athletic director at University High School.
Summitt-Mann’s decision to step down was influenced by her desires to spend more time with family as well as to focus on teaching science and math at University High School and to continue her ongoing environmental work at the school.
“I’m so thankful for the opportunity to coach these five seasons and for all the girls I have gotten to work with over the years,” said Summitt-Mann. “Basketball has always been one of my biggest passions. Our basketball family at University High School has shared many memories, both on and off the court, and I am proud of the sense of community we created and the many fun outreach efforts the girls organized.”