By Christopher Shaban
EAGLE TIMES STAFF
CLAREMONT — With a shiny gym floor in the background, it was announced that Steve Condon will take the reins from his wife this basketball season for the Stevens Cardinals women’s basketball team.
Before the first practice began on Monday, Ivy Condon told the team with her 3-month-old baby in her arms that she would be stepping aside but will still be a large part of the team, just not for the lengthy traveling.
“We’ve talked about this for weeks now and it was our decision for me to take over the program while Ivy stays with the baby,” Steve said. “It was a difficult decision but this is how we wanted to go forward, It’s going to be rough not being with the team but I know Steve is the perfect replacement.”
Ivy has led the varsity team at Stevens for eight years with Steve at her side while this will be Steve’s first head coaching job.
“We will be a tall and very athletic team this season with some depth,” S. Condon said. “I’m no stranger to this group and I’m excited to get going with a bit of nervousness.”
The Cardinals will have a cupboard full of talent as Stevens will head into Division III play with 20 players looking to make the cut for the varsity squad. Carl “Chiefy” Desilets will take over as the junior varsity coach after spending years as the varsity coach at Stevens before taking a seat on the bench as an assistant for his daughter.
“This will be a new trip to an old familiar division and it will take some adjusting,” I. Condon said.
Before the women took to the court, the Cardinals’ second-year boys varsity coach Ray Curran has 35 players to choose from as he prepares for a much different 2021-22 season.
“I am very optimistic with this team. We have a great sophomore class and with the seniors on this team that missed last season for a number of reasons, there will be some leadership,” Curran said. “We will be very athletic and even-though we will be a work in progress, we will be able to get up and down the court pretty well.”
The boys will head to Springfield on Thursday for a scrimmage while the Cardinal women have nothing but practices scheduled until their opener on Friday, Dec. 10.
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