Following the retirement of girls’ basketball program head Melissa Hearlihy, David Rebibo, the current boys’ basketball program head, will take on additional duties as the interim program head for the girls’ basketball team for the 2024-2025 season. Assisting him, boys’ basketball assistant coach Alex Nailes has been appointed as the interim girls’ basketball varsity head coach after temporarily stepping down from boys’ basketball.
Athletics Director Terry Barnum said in a press release from HW Athletics that due to timing, a full search for a permanent coach
wasn’t feasible, leading Rebibo and Nailes to take the reins. The athletic department plans to find a long-term replacement for Hearlihy after the winter season.
Rebibo said in a press release he is eager for the new role and is committed to assisting Nailes and the team as a whole.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to support and work with the girls’ program,” Rebibo said. “I look forward to contributing to their development, supporting Coach Nailes and helping ensure a great experience for the athletes.”
Barnum said he has confidence in Nailes’ ability to lead and support the team.
“Alex Nailes is a bright young coach who has supported our girls’ program for years and has a strong knowledge of our athletes,” Barnum said. “I’m excited to give him this opportunity to lead.”
Nailes said he is grateful for the opportunity to support the girls.
“I’m thrilled about the chance to become the interim head coach of the girls’ basketball program.” Nailes said. “I have been a supporter from the stands of these athletes for years and I’m excited to work with this team of exceptional young women and athletes.”
Hearlihy’s announcement comes just a few months after she led the team to win the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Division 2 State Championship this past season.
Hearlihy came to the school in 2000 after being the head coach for Bishop Alemany High School where she started in 1985. After 39 seasons of coaching, she has the second-most wins among all girls’ basketball coaches in California with a total of 839. In her time with the school, Hearlihy led the team to two state championships, four CIF Southern Section championships and nine Mission League titles. Hearlihy has been named girls’ basketball Coach of the Year by CIF Southern Section, Los Angeles Daily News, Cal-Hi state and the LA Times seven times in total.
In addition to winning the 2024 Division 2 state title, Hearlihy was named the Women’s Basket-
ball Coaches Association National High School Coach of the year.
Despite her many accolades and victories, Hearlihy said she wasn’t solely focused on winning throughout her career.
“My goal here was to help young women on their journey to becoming confident and understanding what it takes to survive in a man’s world,” Hearlihy said. “My career has been so full of meaningful relationships with colleagues, student-athletes and families that words cannot do it justice.”
