Coach Jay Rexroth stepped down from his position as the head coach of Dallastown’s Girls Varsity Basketball team, and someone needed to step up this year to ensure that the legacy of the team continues on.
Coach Molly Day was the one to rise to the challenge.
Day didn’t just rise, she flew to the top, crushing critics expectations. This season, the Dallastown girl’s basketball team made history by advancing to the final round of states, the furthest they’ve ever gotten.
They played Upper Dublin in the PIAA State 6A state finals, losing 54-33, but winning 2nd in the state of Pennsylvania.
How did Day and her team accomplish such a tremendous victory? This is her story.
Day used to watch her uncle, Jay Rexroth, coach the boys basketball team as a child. Her love of basketball stemmed from those experiences, and it has only grown as she has connected with others who share her love of the sport.
“Basketball has brought a lot of great people into my life. I think everyone that comes into your life teaches you lessons you need at the time.”
That love of the game has stuck with her all throughout high school, and then into college. York College of PA recruited her, and she played for 3 years as the power forward.
However, COVID-19 cancelled her senior season, so Rexroth offered her a position as an assistant coach for both the junior high and varsity team.
“Following a thorough interview process, our high school administration made the decision to hire her, which I fully endorsed,” Rexroth says
Day accepted the offer, and after a year, she became the head coach of the junior high team, and remained an assistant coach for the varsity team.
This year will mark her fifth year coaching, and her first year as head coach for Dallastown’s girl’s varsity basketball team.
According to Day, the girl’s basketball team didn’t need to change much. They added lifting, but that’s only a minor adjustment.
“When you have something that is so well established and accomplished, you’re not going to change it,” Day explains.
The goals for the season didn’t change either. The team, both coaches and players, focused on going 1-0 every game and continuing to grow in both games and practice.
“Our goals are to focus on one game at a time, working together to win each one,” Ava Jamison, a senior varsity player, said when interviewed at the beginning of the season..
The best way to reach this goal? Good senior leadership and not giving up.
“I think the biggest key to our success is not being satisfied with what we have done. That everyday you have to go out and earn it,” Day says.
While Rexroth has a big legacy to live up to, Day wasn’t nervous. Rexroth helped her prepare for this new journey, and he gave her lots of advice, for example, to be herself and have confidence in her decisions.
“Coach Rexroth has left a mark not only on our program, but our school districts. I think in understanding that, I can’t compare my first year as a head coach to one of his last because it wouldn’t be fair to me. He has worked extremely hard for many decades to be where he is today, so in understanding that, I know I have a lot to learn and grow from!” Day says.
Rexroth also shares her confidence in her ability to lead the team towards success.
“During that time, she developed a deep understanding of our players and consistently demonstrated a high level of basketball knowledge, preparing her well to successfully lead the Lady Wildcat program into the future,” Rexroth shares.
She also spends a lot of time scouting other teams, planning, doing paperwork, and meeting with the booster club.
“As a head coach, she brings strong leadership, a solid understanding of player development, and a deep knowledge of the game…She is organized, dedicated, and ready to build a positive, competitive culture while continuing to move the Lady Wildcat program forward.” Rexroth says.
And her first year was a good example of that, making history with the Lady Wildcats and being selected as GametimePA’s Coach of the year.
However, now that she isn’t doing both junior high and varsity, she has a little more free time. Her favorite things to do are watch sports, hang out with her family and friends, read, and she is currently learning how to golf.
“I feel fortunate to have Molly; who also happens to be my niece and the majority of my coaching staff return and continue to hold the Lady Wildcat program to a very high standard,” Rexroth shares.
Coach Day has made a strong positive impact on the team, the school, and the community.
“She’s a great coach, knows how to keep us all together, and always does what’s best for us…We have a strong program culture and she’s done a good job keeping it,” Jamison shares.
