Father-son duos bring competitive fire to Deer Lakes basketball
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Monday, March 11, 2024 | 4:43 PM
Deer Lakes’ Aiden Fletcher talks with his dad, head coach Albie Fletcher, during the WPIAL Class 3A championship game against Burrell.
Deer Lakes’ Aiden Fletcher receives his gold medal from his dad, head coach Albie Fletcher, after the WPIAL Class 3A championship game against Burrell.
Deer Lakes head coach Albie Fletcher watches from the sideline with assistant coach Todd Rodgers during their WPIAL Class 3A semifinal against Neshannock last month.
Deer Lakes’ Aiden Fletcher looks to pass in front of his dad, head coach Albie Fletcher, during their WPIAL Class 3A semifinal against Neshannock last month.
Deer Lakes head coach Albie Fletcher hugs Collin Rodgers after the WPIAL Class 3A championship game against Burrell.
Deer Lakes head coach Albie Fletcher hugs his son, Aiden, after the WPIAL Class 3A championship game against Burrell.
When Albie Fletcher got the Deer Lakes boys basketball coaching job two years ago, he asked Todd Rodgers to join his staff.
At the time, neither could’ve forecasted they’d watch their sons win back-to-back WPIAL Class 3A championships, but Aiden Fletcher and Collin Rodgers have provided plenty of proud dad moments.
That’s been a bonus during the Lancers’ run, which continues in the PIAA Class 3A second round against District 6’s Forest Hills at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at Armstrong.
Aiden, a senior, is a starting guard/forward, and Collin, a sophomore, is the starting point guard.
Albie and Todd, along with Brandon Farster, have coached the Lancers to their first two district championships in program history.
Each father-son combo has found a good balance when it comes to the dynamic of a coach-player relationship.
When Albie got the job, he set the tone with Aiden right away, letting him know he’d be coached harder than anyone else on the team.
“That’s just the way it had to be,” Albie said. “I knew it’d be fine because I knew he could take it. He has thick skin.”
Aiden accepted the challenge right away and has thrived this season as a versatile part of the offense and defense. He typically guards the other team’s best scorer.
“Having thick skin is very important because nobody plays a perfect game,” Aiden said. “If you want to win, you have to be able to take tough coaching. We have a lot of guys like that. We’re a well-balanced team with good coaching. We know at the end of the game, we know we’re going to be in a position to succeed. We just need to execute.”
Todd ran the assistant coaching opportunity by Collin before he accepted it. He had coached Collin through elementary school but wanted to be certain Collin wanted him on the high school bench.
“I wanted to make sure he was OK with having dad in the room,” Todd said. “Coach (Fletcher) has been an outstanding, positive example for him, and I think he had a great example last year in Bryce Robson at point guard and really that entire senior class. He’s surrounded by great people here. I’m ecstatic for him and happy to be along for the ride.”
Collin has shown a cool demeanor on the floor this year taking over for Robson at point guard. He hit the winning shot in the final seconds of overtime against Ellwood City in the WPIAL quarterfinals.
Todd and Collin shared a hug moments after the ball went through the net.
Prior to the winner, Collin had a frustrating night, sitting on the bench for long periods with foul trouble.
Collin credited his dad with helping him stay upbeat, something he’s done all season.
“He’s been positive through it all,” Collin said. “He helps me when I’m struggling and not shooting the ball well and not having the offensive night I want. He’s always been confident in me and tries to keep my spirits high because I can get down on myself when I don’t see a few shots go in.”
Anyone who’s seen Deer Lakes play probably has noticed Albie’s passion and sometimes animated reactions to calls on the sidelines.
Aiden reflects that passion on the floor. He routinely dives for loose balls and is energetic on offense and defense.
Albie sees a lot of himself in his son when he watches him play. Aiden wears the same No. 12 his father did when he suited up for Deer Lakes.
“We’re both fiery individuals that want to compete,” Albie said. “We have a lot of guys like that. That’s what you want from guys is for them to go out and compete. We have enough talent if we show up at practice and are ready to compete, we’re a tough out.”
The Fletchers and Rodgers do their best to leave the coach-player part of their relationship at the gym. They understand the importance of balance, and that’s helped them collect two gold medals.
“We don’t talk shop at home,” Albie said. “Maybe a little bit about what we’re going to do at practice, but very little. We try to keep it here at the gym, and at home we’ll just be at home. Be father, son there and here we can be coach and player. He has to see me every day, so I give him a little bit of a break at home.”
Jerin Steele is a freelance writer
Tags: Deer Lakes
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