Coach Michael Oakes was named 2026 Coach of the Year after his successes at leading the RM Girls Varsity Basketball Team to the 4A Maryland State Championship. Ending the season with a 23-5 record, Oakes led the team to the championship game for the first time in 30 years.
Oakes’ love for basketball started in his high school career, shaping his aspirations for his own coaching. “You want to be the kind of coach for others that you maybe wanted during your own playing career,” Oakes said. This is seen in Oakes’ coaching style, where he emphasizes strong bonding and a positive team climate. “I think the biggest difference from last year to this year is the climate and the environment that we were able to build to make it really welcoming. And I think that translated onto the court.” Oakes said. Sophomore and starter Gowri Chandreshekar credits much of the team’s success this year to her head coach. “He’s a really encouraging coach and he really truly wants us all to do the best that we can,” said Chandreshekar.
This effort paid off in the state semifinal game on March 11 against Western High School, a game which Oakes dubbed his favorite moment of the season. “I think that’s where the players just showed so much resilience… to be able to win the game by one point.” Oakes said. “[When] everybody on the bench and court when the buzzer finally went off and we knew we were going to the championship, that was just something I will always take with me and was one of the big highlights of my coaching career.” With the help of determined and dedicated assistant coaches, the team had a successful season, and Oakes felt lucky to have them on the Rockets’ side. “I am fortunate to have the best coaching staff in the state of Maryland. Pete Beech and Claire Hannan are incredible coaches, and we would not have made it to the state championship game without them.”
Admiration between the coaching staff goes both ways. “[Oakes’] passion, commitment, and just how much he cares about the young ladies is impressive,” Assistant Coach Beech said. This season was Beech’s first year as Assistant Coach to the RM Girls Basketball team. It marked his first time ever coaching girls sports and was his first season coaching at a high school level in over twenty years. A highly experienced Oakes acted as a guiding light for the new coach this season. “Coach Oakes is just basketball-wise super smart, but more importantly I learned just how much he cares about the kids on and off the court,” Beech remarked.
As the season ends on a bittersweet note, Oakes hopes that the seniors take life lessons with them, such as to “persevere through obstacles and deal with adversity in the best way you can,” Oakes said. As five pivotal seniors leave the team, Oakes hopes to replicate this season’s success while maintaining the individuality of the new team. “We’re at the beginning of a process that we hope, several years from now, will bring us back to UMBC for another chance.” Oakes said. “I love the process, and I’m looking for people who also love the process, the way that last year’s team, and particularly our graduating seniors, did.”
Having worked at RM for multiple years, Oakes has sealed his and the team’s legacy through perseverance and determination. After seeing so many teams evolve, grow, and eventually leave Richard Montgomery, Oakes aims to shape and aid his team members’ lives after high school basketball. “Yes, we want everyone to succeed with basketball, but we also want everyone to gain skills that are gonna help them in their life beyond basketball, whether it’s academically, socially, or just in future careers and things like that.” Oakes said.
Oakes has some parting words for the Rockets as they leave the school and prepare on a different home court: “The 2025-2026 Rockets were a special team, and the credit for our success belongs to the players. As head coach, my goal is to foster an environment where we can meet our potential, but the players are the ones who make the crucial plays on the court. I will forever be grateful to them for this season.”
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