by Michael Nocella
South Seneca Central School District Varsity Girls Basketball Head Coach Christa Dunlap was recently named Coach of the Year for the Finger Lakes West division.
It was a banner first year for Coach Dunlap, as the Lady Falcons team went 13-7 in the regular season and 14-8 overall. Players Ashlyn Weatherby and Tori Scott were both named to 1st Team All League. Senior Ella Wellin was selected to participate in the Finger Lakes/Wayne Exceptional Senior Game. Senior Chelsea Neville was given the Finger Lakes Sportsmanship Award.
Dunlap stressed that her success was heavily tied to her players and that her accomplishment was truly a reflection of everything they accomplished.
We got to ask her some questions about all of this and what lies ahead, in this interview:
SSCD: How long have you been coaching basketball?
Christa Dunlap: Thank you for asking — I appreciate your interest. This is my first year as the Varsity Coach at South Seneca, but my coaching journey began back in 1996 when my college coach offered me a student coaching position after I had to stop playing due to injury and life’s complexities. I was fortunate to learn from many great mentors along the way, including Jack Guinan, Everett Babcock, Steve Crane, and Daphne Thompson.
SSCD: What other coaching experience did you have prior to this?
CD: My alma mater is South Seneca, which is one of the reasons coaching here is special to me. I grew up in this program before moving on to play volleyball and basketball at Hartwick College. High school taught me the game; college taught me coaching and how to be a good teammate. At South Seneca specifically, I first started coaching in 2001. I took about a ten-year break before returning, so overall my time here spans many seasons with a pause in the middle. Beyond high school, I’ve coached at multiple levels over the years — biddy ball, CYO, AAU, camps, high school, and college.
SSCD: What coaching award did you win and what did it mean to you to win it?
CD: This season I was honored to be named Coach of the Year for the Finger Lakes West. That recognition meant a great deal — being acknowledged by peers is humbling, and it’s really a reflection of the hard work and character of our kids. This award was truly a team effort; it’s not just for me but for the entire staff. It would not have been possible without the support of our JV coaches Russ Peterson and Kyle Collingworth, Modified Coach Abby Small, Varsity Assistant Coach John Dunlap, and program assistants Steve Crane and Everett Babcock.
SSCD: Why do you think your coaching was recognized this year in particular, and what will you remember most about this year and this year’s team?
CD: I think this year’s recognition came because our players made noticeable improvements and surprised some teams; their growth was the real story. What I’ll remember most about this year is the combination of hard work and laughter — from our “word/slang of the week” that sparked smiles, to our playful “Christmas in the locker room”, to the little “secret psyches” we used to spark confidence before games. I was fortunate to inherit a great group of seniors this year — Anna, Brooke, Chelsea, and Ella. Their leadership, grit, and sense of humor helped shape the season. They will be missed, and we wish them all the best in their next steps.We look forward to working with a strong group of underclassmen; Kayleigh, Autumn, Tori, Addison, Madison, Ashlyn, and G.
SSCD: What have you been thinking about since the season has ended and how are you going about getting ready for next year?
CD: My husband and I have coached for many years, but this was the first season we coached together, which made it especially meaningful. Since the season ended we’ve been focused on how to get as many kids as possible into the gym to build skills and confidence. We’re working to get players into summer leagues and tournaments so they can continue developing and be ready for next season.
SSCD: Anything else you’d like to add?
CD: I’m deeply grateful to Russ, Kyle, Abby, John, Steve, and Everett — their time, energy, and belief in our players made this season possible. I’m proud to coach alongside them and excited for what we’ll build together next year.