Middleboro girls basketball coach brings a new start to program

MIDDLEBORO — After three torn ACLs, two decades of gameplay and her first head coaching job, Alexandria Petit’s love for basketball is stronger than ever. 

Her athletic career began in elementary school, and she was part of several conference-winning teams in high school before competing on Point Park University’s Division II team.

The Ohio native then transferred to Ursuline College, where she completed her bachelors and masters degree in education. Petit’s third ACL injury during senior year ended her time on the court, but she stayed active in a leadership role on the team.

Her coach offered her an assistant coaching job at the college, where she remained until graduating last year.

She said despite her injuries, she couldn’t stay away from basketball. 

“It's brought me so much joy,” Petit said. “Usually everyone, after one or two [ACL tears] is done and never looks back, but it was something that just kept drawing me. I have always had a longing to coach and longing to stay with it.”

She was hired this year as the Middleboro High School girls basketball head coach, where she is drawing from her teaching and coaching experience to mentor student athletes, build a unique program and develop well-rounded players.

Alongside her coaching job, Petit also works as an eighth-grade English teacher at Taunton High School. She said she sees many similarities between her two roles.

“I realize more and more every day, what I do translates right here on the basketball court,” she said. “There's definitely a lot of overlap when it comes to relationships, to how to approach the kids and being able to teach them how they learn.”

In the classroom and on the court, Petit said relationships are integral to her work. 

She said high school coaching is often seen as a step down from working at a college, but loves working with that age group.

“I really was excited to coach high school,” Petit said. “I loved college, but I love teaching. I love helping young girls do well in high school and to help them through college, because I know how hard it was for me to navigate that process.”

As a young woman only a few years removed from high school herself, she said she understands the challenges and experiences the girls on her team face and can relate to her players. 

Petit said this was part of what got her the Middleboro job.

“I think the idea of having a woman that can relate with the girls was really important for them,” she said. “I was in their shoes not too long ago. I understand the process and the demands of a high schooler and what it takes to compete at a high college level.”

Her time playing and working for a college team is also guiding how she is structuring the school’s basketball program.

While high schools often focus only on fundamental skills, she is emulating a college program to fine-tune her players’ skills, plan strategically and prepare them for collegiate play.

For many of the girls on her underclass-heavy team, this has been their first time lifting and doing similar conditioning. She said she is using this introduction to build college-ready habits.

This approach matched well with what the school was looking for, Petit said.

She said Assistant Principal Andrew Dizel and Athletic Director Ryan Sylvia were looking to rebuild the program and give it a fresh start.

They also gave her “a lot of autonomy” in designing it, and were willing to hire someone young for the role.

“They're allowing me to do whatever I see fit,” she said. “They were fine with me running it like a college program. They have a great atmosphere, great community and they're allowing me to do what I like to do. It's awesome.”

She described herself as a high energy coach with high expectations for her players. 

Petit said she can be strict, but she knows there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to get the best out of her players. 

While her strategy for each athlete might be different, she emphasizes communication and community for everyone. 

Pushing them to be their best doesn’t stop off the court, she said. 

“I love helping them grow and flourish into better citizens,” Petit said. “I want them, when they're with me, to become better people when they leave — better basketball players, better people and better individuals in the community.” 

“I think that's super important to develop into the youth and to pour my time into them is where I see a lot of satisfaction,” she added.