Minutemaids won 52–43 against Timber Creek, giving Coach Natale her 200th career win
Washington Township High School girls basketball coach Jennifer Natale stayed humble after receiving her 200th career win when the Minutemaids defeated Timber Creek, 52–43, on Jan. 19.
“I knew I was going to approach it at some point this season, but I’m not one to dwell on records and things like that, I was just happy that my team won that night against Timber Creek,” Natale said. “It meant more to my team, I think. They had a surprise planned for me the next night. We had a big pasta party, balloons, flowers and cake. They’re just such a great group of kids, so to achieve this milestone in my coaching career, I couldn’t think of a better group to do it with.”
Natale attributed her success to her team, now with a record of 8–4, and coaching staff.
“I’m humbled, I’m excited. It wouldn’t get done without the people that I work with and the kids that come into our program year after year and give us 100 percent. It’s really not about me; it’s just about the people that I try to help on a daily basis,” Natale said.
“Coach Natale’s 200th career win is a wonderful milestone for a terrific coach. She has established herself as one of the best coaches in New Jersey,” Athletic Director and Vice Principal Kevin Murphy said.
Natale started playing basketball in fourth grade when her family moved to Washington Township. She said she fell in love with the fast-paced nature of the game and the teamwork that came from “five people working as one on the court.” As a point-guard, Natale said being the extension of her coach on the floor is what brought her to teach and get involved with coaching. Fifteen years ago, Natale was hired as a fourth-grade teacher at Bells Elementary School and joined the basketball program as an assistant coach.
“The coaches that I’ve had along the way were an inspiration. It’s funny how things come full circle, because my high school coach, Donna Costa, is now a volunteer coach for us. I got to play for her and coach under her as her JV coach, and now she coaches with us,” Natale said. “Another coach was Charlie Blank. He’s actually the father of my junior varsity coach and current freshman, Emily Johns. So, there are a lot of connections here.”
For the first time, Natale has the opportunity to coach one of her former students in the varsity program. Julia Marino, freshman point guard, had Natale as a fourth-grade teacher.
“I just think being a Minutemaid in general is very special, and unless you’ve gone through it, you don’t really understand what it is. Being a part of something that is bigger than yourself, and just celebrating successes with each other and being there during challenging times, overcoming adversity, it’s indescribable actually,” Natale said. “It’s special coming back and coaching a program that you played in. There’s a lot of tradition, we have a lot of pride. I’m very lucky.”
Some traditions include pasta parties and going to a player’s house the night before a big game. Natale tries to get to know the girls on the team off the court to learn what motivates and drives each individual.
“I just try to figure out how to get the best out of the girls when they come in every day and make it a place where it’s OK if they make a mistake, but then challenge them when they’re not working to their potential,” Natale said.
Having lost a lot of upperclassmen players last year, Natale said the team is beginning to come together and figure out its identity.
“Watching them grow together and really become like a family, that’s the most rewarding part of my job, just watching the development of the student-athletes,” Natale said. “We’re trying to teach them skills that they can take with them when they leave our basketball program, such as how to deal with a loss, how to deal with things when they don’t go your way, but then also staying humble when you’re victorious.”
