Gulf’s Ennis promoted to head girls hoops coach

Posted May 20, 2012 by Andy Villamarzo

Updated May 20, 2012 at 02:05 PM

Gulf didn’t have to look far for a successor to girls basketball coach Mike Quarto.

She was sitting right next to him.

Assistant coach Claire Ennis has been promoted to the head coach position, Ennis conformed Sunday.

“I’m just so grateful for all the support I’ve received from everyone and this great opportunity,” Ennis said. “I learned a lot under Mike (Quarto) last season and continue to learn from him. The girls and I are excited about keeping the great tradition this school has and not much will be changing in the aspect. We’re looking to just continue the success.”

Ennis, who was a four-year starter at The State University of New York at Potsdam and coached at Clarkson University (Potsdam, N.Y.) and Skidmore College (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.), before moving to Florida.

Ennis takes over one of the most talented girls basketball team in Pasco County, as the Buccaneers return point guard Lexy Schulman (9.1 points per game, 9.8 assists per game) and guards Kayla Kivinski (18.2 points per game) and Kadejah Saunders (16.8 points per game). Gulf went 28-3 under Quarto last season and reached the Class 5A-2 region final, losing to St. Johns Bartram Trail, 56-39.

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