By DAVE O’SULLIVAN

Staff Writer

On X @GDsullysays

The Holy Spirit High girls basketball team was one of the most fun squads to watch in the Cape-Atlantic League in recent years, as they played a frenetic style that saw players zooming up and down the court the entire game under head coach Tim Whitworth.

But earlier this month Whitworth stepped down, meaning the program was looking for a new leader for the first time in more than half a decade.

Enter Scott Meile.

On the surface it may seem like a curious choice, as Oakcrest is coming off a 6-14 year in which the Falcons didn’t make the playoffs, but Meile brings a wealth of experience to the sidelines that the Spartans can tap into.

He’s been at Oakcrest for nearly 20 years, coaching girls basketball for 18 years (the last six as head coach) and also leading the Falcons’ boys soccer program to a highly successful 14-year run. He was the Press of Atlantic City’s Coach of the Year in 2019 when he led Oakcrest to an 18-win season.  

Meile said getting the job came as a bit of a surprise to him last week, but that he’s ready to dive into it and try to build on what Whitworth was doing. Last year, the Spartans went 18-11, made it to the Cape-Atlantic League Tournament semifinals and the sectional quarterfinals. They only lose two seniors — Kendall Murphy and Ella Petrosh.

“The kids are great, so I put in for the job and interviewed with (Athletic Director Steve) Normane. One of the first things we talked about, I was like, ‘why did you bring me in here, Steve?’ He talked about my reputation around the league. I said to my wife (later that night), ‘I never thought I had a reputation, positive or negative.’ I didn’t think anybody knew who I was,” Meile said. “I’ve been coaching for a while, but it just kind of dawned on me for a second that I had a chance of getting the job. It’s been kind of mind blowing the last week or so, how many people took time to reach out to me, getting a lot of texts and phone calls. It’s been really eye opening and fun to go through this experience, but at the same time it’s a different animal, right? There’s going to be a whole new challenge (at Holy Spirit) that will be pretty daunting. I’m excited, but at the same time nervous. Like I told the girls, it’s probably the weirdest thing I’ve ever done. I was at Oakcrest for a long time, 18 years, and 14 years with the boys soccer program. It’s definitely a little bittersweet.”

Meile, a Ventnor resident, has some connections to Holy Spirit, as his wife, Nicole (Sutor) is a 1996 graduate of the Absecon school.

“My wife went to Holy Spirit, her brother went to Holy Spirit. I’ve always looked at Holy Spirit as a great place for kids to get a great education, it’s very family oriented. And I think like the last couple of years, they have really leaned into athletics. They have a ton of kids who play multiple sports. I’m looking for kids who want to compete and have competed and are used to competing at a high level. I just thought it was too good of an opportunity to pass up,” Meile said. “There is going to be a different level of anticipation for the season. We had some good years at Oakcrest where we were competitive, but we were always looking to upset somebody. Now (Holy Spirit) is the team that’s going to be hunted and the parents and players are expecting big things. So that’s what I’m looking forward to, just getting that opportunity to see the other end of the spectrum where you know you’re working on getting to that state championship level.”

He’ll have some help in house, as high successful former coach Dennis Smith remains at the school and is the softball coach in the spring.  

“Dennis sat in my second interview and I was introduced to him, and he didn’t know me. But I’m like, ‘yeah, I know you, coach. I’m familiar with your work.’ As a guy who’s been in basketball for 18 years in the Cape Atlantic League, his name is definitely one you know,” Meile said. “I’m going to lean on him for some advice throughout the season.”

Meile didn’t say whether his teams will play the exact style that Whitworth used, but he promised the same type of passion and dedication to the sport and coaching.

“I’m an aggressive guy and I’m a passionate guy. I’m all in. There are no days off during the season. We’ll be constantly thinking about getting better,” he said. “I’m just striving for them to compete. That’s always what I want, and that’s what my teams usually do. We had a couple of bad seasons (at Oakcrest), but for the most part we had girls who were in there competing and fighting and were going to give you a run for your money. There’s a reason why we got kids to go play college basketball, because they work hard and they compete. And that’s what you want.”

Meile said one of his biggest focal points will be to impress upon his players what it means to wear the Holy Spirit uniform.

“Everyone knows this uniform, this school, the pride they have and the work they do. I want these girls to feel like they are a part of something bigger, part of the Holy Spirit community. I’m going to try to get going as quickly as possible. I want these girls to feel pride in what they do and the school they play for,” Meile said. “I’m a dad and a coach, somebody who has invested in the Oakcrest community the past 18 years, and I’m looking forward to doing the same thing at Holy Spirit. It’s all new right now, but I’m excited about this opportunity at this stage of my career. This is going to reinvigorate me and hopefully get the kids excited that they have a coach with a lot of experience and someone who knows the game. I want to help them get to that next level.

Contact Dave O’Sullivan: sullyglorydays@gmail.com