Power Play: States Takes Over
Lonnie States, who has been coaching basketball for more than 25 years, can’t stop looking ahead and smiling. States has been named head coach of the Charlottetown Power of the new Eastern Canadian Basketball League, and he’s ready for the challenge.
States, who turns 52 in April, replaces Dikran Zabunyan, who had agreed to coach the Power. However, the former coach of the Turkish national team has stepped down because of medical concerns.
League president Tim Kendrick says Zabunyan’s experience and personality would have been assets to the Power. He also hopes Zabunyan is healthy enough in the future that he can rejoin the league. Kendrick also says States is the logical candidate to step into the job. States has worked with Kendrick at the University of Prince Edward Island, Holland College and the Island Storm of the National Basketball League of Canada.
“Lonnie has been with me for 12 years, and I know he will do a fantastic job as head coach of the Power,” Kendrick says. Kathy Quinn remains as the team’s assistant coach. She and States talked together earlier this week. “Kathy brings a lot to basketball knowledge to the team, and I know we are going to work well together,” States notes.
“We both want to win – we’re in it to win for the people of Charlottetown,” he adds. “Charlottetown is full of hard-working people and you’re going to see that attitude with the Power.”
States was initially named the league’s manager of community co-ordinator. Now, his main focus will be on coaching, but he’ll work with others around the league to development community programs.
“We want our players to be part of the community so the fans around the league can get to know them. This league is all about community participation.”
States, who works in social development with the Prince Edward Island government, has coached basketball teams at all levels. He’s a native of Windsor, Nova Scotia, who has lived on the Island for most of his working career. He also served as head coach of the Windsor Edge in the first season of the Maritime Women’s Basketball Association.
“To be the first coach for two high-profile teams in their first seasons, is very special,” States says. “We want to do all we can to help the game grow and help young people in our communities.”
The league’s first player signings will be announced on February 1. Training camps are expected to begin mid-March.
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