Jason Efstathiou, or Coach E,  is revamping intensity for the boys basketball team, after Kelly Hambrick stepped down as head coach.

Before coming to San Juan Hills, Coach E coached at Aliso Niguel High School and is currently running the JSK club basketball team. He highly encourages SJHHS players to come work out.

Coach E has played basketball all his life and after attending college at UCLA, he began coaching basketball at the YMCA. From UCLA, he received his B.A. degree in history and teaches CCP and history at SJHHS.

Along with the intensity and efficient work ethic, Coach E plans on making various changes to the basketball team over the next year.

“The biggest thing I want to change is the attitudes,” stated Coach E,  “ and I’m bringing a lot of toughness and attitude”.

“Toughness and attitude” is the most important habit Coach E is instilling. Other habits emphasize the importance of the team as a whole, competition, and commitment to the program.

Also, these changes will include the addition of a sophomore team and possibly a freshman b team, with of course the junior varsity and varsity team.

He also intends on starting an earlier recruitment process. During his time at Aliso he had kids, who previously played on his club team, come in as prepared freshman. Therefore creating stronger teams. Here at SJHHS the school does not have that kind of foundation, so Coach E is striving to build it.

The players are excited about these new principles brought in and what they will do for their season and game.

“{He} Makes us work really hard, but it’s going to be worth it” said Spencer Vann (12).

Connor Peterson(12) attended Aliso Niguel High School for freshman year and had Coach E as his coach, so he is excited to see these standards revitalized at SJHHS.

“I was stoked,’’ said Peterson, “[he is] always focused on getting us better.”

Former head coach, Hambrick, will stay in the program in support of Coach E, leading the freshman basketball team and teaching P.E., health, and the strength and exercise class.

“I do believe in the message he is teaching” said Hambrick.

Overall, Coach E is bringing a lot of potential to the boys basketball team. His intensity and work ethic is to further the main goal.

“We’re not here to be average” said Coach E.