High School Girls Basketball Year End Awards 2024

Coaches of the Year

Carley Whitney of SVSM and Danny Gallagher of Magnificat

I love intensity and focus when it comes to coaching. I don’t care how many high fives a coach gives, or pats on the back, in real life, intensity and focus gets the job done and motivates. These two are tremendous to watch and it is no shock how good both programs are because of it. I cannot begin to say enough good things about both, they are that damn good!

I saw Whitney a few times this year and was blown away every time with her attention to detail, her motivation skills and just overall intensity. This is a coach that gets the most out of her team and someone I would want my own daughter to play for one day. Just a pleasure to watch coach. She knows her X’s and O’s, and she knows how to motivate and lead, a winning combination! She already has 155 career wins, and I can tell you now, she is just getting warmed up. Whitney will be on the sidelines for decades to come.

We spoke to coach Whitney who had this to say about winning the award, “I am flattered by the selection of Coach of the Year. This has nothing to do with me. First off- this honor belongs to my assistants. I have great assistants and support staff who help guide this program. I share this honor with them. I coach great players who have great families that believe in what we do. “

Magnificat had the toughest schedule in the state this year, and dare I say, country! Coach Gallagher ducked no one and made sure that only the cream of the crop made the schedule when he could. I’m talking teams such as Stow, Gilmour, Solon, SVSM, Rocky River and various others. This team is battled tested and led well. They have values, and they stick to those values, that is why they shine. They are disciplined and play with passion.

I don’t care what anyone says, it is extremely difficult to play and coach at a private school. You tend to play the top teams in the area, have to make your own schedule and at the end of the day, you know everyone is gunning for you and is going to give you their best shot.

It is not easy, but coach Danny makes it look effortless at times. The parents respect him, the media respects him, and his peers respect him to go along with the obvious respect he garners from players. We’re big coach Danny fans in the McKee home!

I spoke to Magnificat Athletics Director Paul Barlow on what makes Gallagher, so special, “Coach Gallagher has done an excellent job of building not only the team on the court, but also the culture of the basketball program at Magnificat – both players and coaches alike. He goes above and beyond with our players in terms of team building, motivation and mental preparation for not only each game but for what is a long season for the players and coaches. His passion and love for the game as well as desire to see the growth and success of each and every player is unmatched.”