Girls basketball forward Valentina Guerrero ’26 sat nervously, staring at the Zoom waiting room in August. The email announcing the meeting was vague, but when she saw Head of Athletics Terry Barnum and Athletic Director Chelsea Heyward, she knew the meeting had to be serious. Still, nothing could have prepared her for the shock of hearing Program Head Melissa Hearlihy tell the team she was retiring after 24 years as the Wolverines coach and the team’s recent Division II State Championship.
“She told us she was retiring from high school, and we were all so confused about what that meant,” Guerrero said. “When she explained that she was leaving, we were really sad, but we knew she had peace with it gave us peace too.”
In light of Hearhily’s retirement, Boys Basketball Program Head David Rebibo and Assistant Coach Alex Nailes have stepped into new roles within the girls program. Rebibo now serves as the Interim Program Head for the girls team, while Nailes assumed the position of Interim Head Coach. Nailes said sharing coaching resources has allowed for greater attention to detail in practices, something that has significantly benefited the girls team.
“Sharing coaches has helped improve the girls’ skills,” Nailes said. “It has also given the coaches the ability to pay attention to the small details in each one of the girls’ games. We have been able to give the girls a ton of knowledge of the game while teaching them hard work and discipline as well.”
Rebibo said the coaching staff is dedicated to the success of both programs, viewing them as part of a collective effort to elevate and improve the basketball program.
“Our entire coaching staff is so committed to Harvard-Westlake basketball as a whole, and everyone has contributed tremendously to both programs,” Rebibo said.
While Nailes transitioned to leading the girls team, the boys program ensured no disruption to its training or preparation. Rebibo said the boys’ team is currently experiencing no problems as Nailes dedicates more time to coaching the girls team.
“So far, nobody’s been impacted,” Rebibo said. “We filled the spot left by Coach Nailes with a new assistant who’s done a fantastic job. Both programs, at all levels, are getting everything they need.”
The announcement was met with a bittersweet enthusiasm by the players, who were eager to see what the new season would bring under Nailes’ leadership. Guerrero said the team has been inspired by what Nailes would bring as head coach.
“When we found out Nailes was going to be our coach, we were really excited about what our new season was going to look like,” Guerrero said. “Nailes and Rebibo are different from Hearlihy, but in a good way. I feel like we’ve never been so motivated to play basketball and to get better. Skill-wise and basketball IQ-wise, we’re better. We’ve also become more of a family on and off the court.”
During the 2023-24 season, the girls team suffered from numerous injuries, including forward Bella Spencer ’25 absence due to a torn ACL, and guard Jamie Yue’s ’24 knee injury. As a result, the girls’ team was made up of almost entirely freshman and sophomores, and entered Mission League play with a 4-12 record. However, Hearlihy ultimately let the team to a 19-18 record and the Division II State Championship. The girls’ team’s resilience and determination allowed them to push through difficult games last season, and continues to inspire them in the wake of Hearlihy’s retirement.
Despite sharing resources, Coach Nailes said the ultimate goal is not to diminish the quality of either program but to utilize their coaching staff to the fullest extent.
“It has been a really good transition into sharing the coaches and resources,” Nailes said. “Both programs are working well together. We are doing everything we can to make sure we can provide an elite experience for the girls and boys this year for basketball.”
Boys Guard Joe Sterling ’26 said each boys’ and girls’ coach is valuable to the program for their unique playing styles and techniques they offer.
“Getting the different perspectives [is the biggest benefit],” Sterling said. “All the coaches bring something that you know they’re really good at. That’s why we have so many different coaches, and that’s why it’s designed for us to have coaches that [coach] both [teams] and that are able to help us in a lot of different ways.”
Practices under Nailes began in August, marking the beginning of an unprecedented season for the team with a coaching style focused on the technical aspects of the sport. Guerrero said this shift in coaching was a major factor in the team’s improvement.
“With Coach Hearlihy, we didn’t really dissect [the game],” Guerrero said. “But with Nailes, everything counts. Every move, every cut and every screen [counts]. It’s all about the details now. We’re paying rattention to the small details, not just the big picture, and that’s made a big difference.”
While Nailes acknowledged some differences between coaching boys and girls basketball, he said that his coaching philosophy remains consistent.
“The pace of the game is obviously different, but I look at coaching the girls as just coaching basketball athletes,” Nailes said. “We hold every player to the same standard, whether it isthe girls or boys. Coaching this team, we have to find different ways to win every day and get better in the meantime. Bringing over the accountability, energy and winning mindset are a few things that we have brought over from the boys side to help the girls be successful on and off the court.”
The boys and girls teams have also benefited from a crossover in coaching strategies. Boys Forward Barron Linnekens ’26 said he has seen Nailes use some of the plays he introduced to the boys team with the girls.
“Nailes uses some of the same schemes we ran last year,” Linnekens said. “Sometimes we stay after our practice to watch the girls practice, and they’re running similar drills and plays. It’s cool to see that connection.”
Ever since Rebibo became the program head in 2015, the boys team has dominated at regional and state levels, winning six straight Mission League Titles, back-to-back Open Division State Championships and the CIF-SS Open Division Championship last year. Although the team lost several seniors, including key starters Christian Horry ’24, Robert Hinton ’24 and Trent Perry ’24, they look to rebuild the team as new players emerge as play-makers and leaders on the court.
The boys team is currently undefeated with a 8-0 record, while the girls’ team is currently 4-2. Girls Forward Bella Spencer ’25 said Nailes and his coaching style has helped them elevate their pace and overall flow throughout plays.
“The boys have been highly successful over the past few years. [I appreciate] having the opportunity to learn from their coaches, and especially Coach Rebibo, who’s been exceptionally accomplished over his ten seasons at [the school,”] Spencer said. “[As we are] learning from them, there’s been a lot of skill development. [We are also developing] a new style of basketball play that is [more closely] reflected in the NBA and the WNBA, which has faster [and] more athletic play. It’s been great getting to learn from them and just grow as a player, both on and off the court. It’s super fun having them around, especially coach Nailes, who’s pretty funny to be around.”
This shared approach has not only elevated the level of play on both teams but has also created a stronger sense of community among all basketball players. Linnekens said the change in coaches transformed how the boys and girls teams interact with each other.
“This season has made our program a lot more cohesive,” Linnekens said. “It used to feel like there were separate boys and girls programs, but now it feels like one big Harvard-Westlake basketball program. Scheduling is easier, and we’re more connected as a community.”
Beyond the logistical benefits, the new structure has created opportunities for players to bond across teams. Linnekens said these connections extended beyond the court.
“For their games, we are part ofthe student section,” Linnekens said. “It feels great to support [the girls team], especially when they’re in tight games. Last year, we helped get in the opposing team’s heads during a comeback against Redondo Union in the playoffs. That was such a memorable moment.”
