Wrestling, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball are all having great seasons this winter. Wrestling is ranked ninth in the metro, and wrestled in the Maryland Independent School Championship on Feb. 19, placing three wrestlers. Men’s basketball are 28-2 overall, and defeated St. Frances in the MIAA ‘A’ Conference final Sunday, Feb. 20, 70-58. The women’s basketball team lost in the IAAM ‘B’ Conference Championship Sunday against NDP by three points.

For some reason, winter sports are much more successful against the top competition than fall or spring sports. In the fall, only women’s volleyball was able to win a title. Last spring, only men’s lacrosse was able to win a title. But this winter, three teams have a chance to win championships, and women’s swimming already placed second at the IAAM ‘B’ Conference Championship.

The disparity between winter sports and the other two seasons are relatively consistent. Ever since Keith Watson became coach of the wrestling team, they have consistently climbed the MIAA ladder. Head basketball coach Tony Martin has led the men’s basketball team on a meteoric rise over the past five years. Mike Blizzard has taken the women’s basketball team from nothing two years ago to an IAAM Championship this year.

The common denominator between the three dominant winter sports is the coaches. Watson and Blizzard were brought from outside the school and have successfully brought their teams to life. Additionally, Martin was brought into the JC community from Spalding.

It’s hard to deny the impact coaches have on a team. Coaches like Mike Krzyzewski take different players each year to the top, while lower level coaches cannot take advantage of the talent afforded to them.

I’m not saying all the coaches from JC are bad. Quite the contrary, actually. Many of the coaches at JC have a passion for the game. But, after a prolonged spell of unsuccessful seasons, teams need a change in leadership. Often, a new coach provides new energy to the team. In the end, it’s all about finding the coach that is able to provide that energy.

Henry Shepard is a reporter for “The Patriot” and jcpatriot.com.