A Conversation with Lake Forest High School Varsity Basketball Coach Phil LaScala

Transitioning into high school can cause a great deal of anxiety for young teens. Knowing someone is there to look out for you makes all the difference. Coach Phil LaScala developed the Lake Forest High School (LFHS) basketball program and ran it for nearly 20 years with the deliberate intention of supporting young players. He paired seniors on the team with underclassman and it meant everything to the new guys who looked up to the varsity players. It taught members of the varsity team to understand their leadership role and to tune in and make time for others on and off the court.

Our sons, Noah, Tommy and Sean, were three of the hundreds who benefited from taking part in the program. Noah continues to appreciate what the four-year experience taught him and remembers a sense of comfort starting high school knowing someone was around to check in on him.

Coach LaScala created a program culture that inspired basketball players from as young as five to aspire to play for him one day at LFHS and the results speak for themselves. Coach LaScala built one of the strongest, most competitive teams in the area year after year, including the 2015 team on which Noah and Tommy played, that went 28-3, losing only to Stevenson High School led by Jalen Brunson, one of the best players in the NBA today.

LFHS and our community have been fortunate to have Coach LaScala at the helm of one of our most celebrated sports programs for two decades. He demanded that his players work to grow into the best versions of themselves as athletes and students, knowing it would benefit them in college and in their careers. Most LFHS basketball alumni say it has.

At end-of-the-season banquets, Coach LaScala made sure the events were a grand finale. The entire team of players, coaches, trainers, managers and parents attended and it didn’t phase him that it lasted hours. He made sure every senior was properly recognized, with an in-depth tribute that detailed what he and the team appreciated about them. Each one was called to the front, where he stood next to Coach LaScala as he spoke about the player’s strengths and contributions, both on and off the court.

Today’s LFHS feeder program was shaped by Coach LaScala. Initially, there was a single team for each grade. He rejected that approach, saying more kids should have the opportunity to play and develop. Now, each grade has multiple teams that instill the fundamentals of what is taught at the varsity level. Coach LaScala knew winning starts with them believing in themselves and in each other.

Being good citizens was just as important to Coach LaScala as being good players. He made sure his guys made a difference in the community by volunteering at Camp Hope, helping with the feeder program, and shopping for gifts to give the less fortunate during the holidays. Coach LaScala believed being a good person translated into being a good teammate.

He pushed the boys to be the best version of themselves and to strive for excellence. He was named Illinois’ “Coach of the Year” six times as head basketball coach for LFHS. We thank and honor Coach LaScala for the role he played preparing our sons for life.

Jennifer Karras and John Trkla

- LF on Topic