A Coaching Renaissance in Southwest Florida
As the 2026‑27 high school sports season approaches, Southwest Florida schools are reshaping their basketball programs with new leadership. Community School of Naples, Riverdale High School, and Golden Gate High School have each announced head coaches who bring a blend of playing pedigree and recent coaching experience.
Community School of Naples hired alumna Stephanie Paul to guide the girls basketball team. Paul, a two‑time Naples Daily News Girls Basketball Player of the Year and First‑Team All‑State selection, starred at Georgia before embarking on a professional overseas career. Her five individual state titles in track and field — three in discus and two in shot put — underscore a versatile athletic background that she now hopes to translate into coaching.
Paul’s connection to the Naples community runs deep; she trained under former coach Mitch Woods, a figure she still regards with respect, and previously led the school’s middle‑school squad. She emphasizes a flexible approach, rejecting a "one‑size‑fits‑all" philosophy and promising to use her playing experience to forge stronger bonds with her athletes.
Riverdale High School named Jordan Olison, the former LaBelle coach, as its new boys basketball mentor. Olison spent the last three seasons at LaBelle, compiling a 49‑32 record and guiding the Cowboys to a Class 4A‑District 12 title. He now takes the reins of a program that struggled last year, finishing 0‑21 and searching for its first winning season since 2024.
Golden Gate High School promoted Anjelo Castro‑Perez, a former player and longtime assistant, to head coach. Castro‑Perez replaces Guy Hensley, who amassed a 69‑91 record over six seasons. The promotion reflects the school’s confidence that his on‑court experience and insider knowledge will revitalize the program.
These coaching changes come at a pivotal moment for Southwest Florida basketball. With new faces at the helm, each school aims to shift recent narratives of underperformance into competitive contenders. The appointments also highlight a broader trend of leveraging local talent — both former stars and rising coaches — to rebuild programs rooted in community pride.