Congratulations & Thank You
2025 All-Star Coaches

John Antolini - East Hampton High School (Shoreline)

Coach John Antolini joined the coaching ranks 14 years ago, when he began coaching both boys and girls at Sport & Medical Sciences Academy in Hartford.  In 2014 he became the head girls coach at SMSA, where they reached the State Finals in 2018.  In 2021 he stepped in to lead East Hampton.  Since taking over, the Bellringers have consistently remained a contender in the Shoreline Conference including a runner-up finish in 2025.  Prior to coaching John officiated women's basketball at the NCAA Division 1, 2, and 3 levels, as well as at the high school level.  Off the court, John owns several businesses that serve commercial and residential customers in the concrete coatings industry nationwide.  Coach Antolini resides in Southington with his wife and 2 sons who attend St. Paul Catholic HS.

Leron Gittens - East Hartford High School (CCC)

Coach Gittens has been coaching high school basketball for the last 9 seasons.  After starting at the former Metropolitan Learning Center he has been at the helm at East Hartford for the last two seasons.  After a successful high school career playing for New London where he won two CIAC State Championships, he went on to play collegiately at Champlain College in Vermont and Quinnipiac University.  After college, Coach Gittens played professionally in Europe as well as semi-professional experiences across the US.  Off the court, Coach Gittens serves as a Juvenile Probation Officer with the State of Connecticut.

Ian Kirkpatrick - Foran High School, Milford (SCC)

The 2025 Southern Connecticut Conference COACH OF THE YEAR has led the Foran program since 2016.  Prior to leading the Lions, he served in Assistant roles for 5 years at Staples in Westport and 2 years at Foran.  The team has had much recent success under Coach Kirkpatrick including consecutive CIAC Quarterfinal appearances and reaching the SCC Semi Final for the first time in school history.  Coach Kirkpatrick is a Middle School Physical Education Teacher for Milford Public Schools.  He is the Director of the Milford Youth Basketball Camp and Co-Director of the Fairfield County Basketball School.  Coach Kirkpatrick lives in Woodbridge and when not coaching enjoys time with his wife Amanda and their 9 and 6 year old daughters, Josie and Lucy.

Brian Kriftcher - Notre Dame Prep, Fairfield (SWC)

"Coach K" just completed his fifth season at the helm of Notre Dame Prep (formerly Notre Dame-Fairfield).  During that span, his teams have accumulated a record of 96-18, including three straight 20 win seasons.  The Lancers have only lost two SWC games during his tenure, earning four conference tournament Championships over his five seasons.  Coach K came to Notre Dame following two years as Head Coach at Trinity Catholic before the school’s closure in 2020.  Prior to that, he was Trinity Catholic’s Associate Head Coach under coaching legend Mike Walsh during their most recent State Championship run in 2017-2018.  He coached for four seasons at St. Luke’s School, where his team won the coveted FAA crown and was a New England prep school runner-up.  He began his high school coaching career as a Freshman head and Varsity assistant coach at Westhill High School.  Professionally, Coach K spent nearly two decades in senior capacities at a number of top-tier investment firms.  He retired from Wall Street at the age of 40 in order to devote his full-time energies to passions for coaching, teaching and community development work.  He is the Founder of Stamford Peace Youth Foundation, and the long-time Global Chairman of PeacePlayers International which uses the game of basketball to bridge divides and develop leaders among children and communities in conflict around the world.  Coach K is also the Managing Partner of Collegiate Quarters Management LLC, a student housing real estate asset manager with properties serving universities throughout the United States.  Residing in Stamford, Coach K has been married to his wife Jeannie for nearly 30 years.  They have three 20+ year old daughters.

Matthew Lefevre - Shepaug Valley School, Washington (Berkshire)

Coach Lefevre has enjoyed much success in basketball!  Playing for the legendary Coach Frank Crisafi at East Haven High School, he was a part of 2 undefeated Housatonic League Championships in 1979 and 1980 and won the 1980 CIAC Class L State Championship.  While playing for Clark University, his #2 ranked Pioneers reached the 1984 Division 3 National Championship game.  He was the recipient of the Clark University Award of Merit in 1984 and his team was inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame in 2004.  His high school coaching career began as an assistant at Northwestern Regional in 2007 where he helped guide the team to two Berkshire League regular season titles, and two Berkshire Tournament Championships before taking over at Shepaug Valley in 2013.  Prior to this season his Spartans have reached the Berkshire Championship 3 times, the Division 5 Quarter finals (2019), and the Division 5 Finals (2023).  This season has been the pinnacle of success including an undefeated regular season, winning the Berkshire regular season and Tournament championships, and winning the school's first every State Championship (Division 5).  Throughout his career he has been involved with several AAU programs including New Hartford D-Struction and Bell City AAU clubs, as well as numerous camps and clinics throughout the state.  Professionally, Coach Lefevre is the Founder and Principal of the Law Offices of Matthew Lefevre, Esq., P.C.

Erik McKay - Sport & Medical Sciences Academy, Hartford (NCCC)

Coach McKay has been the Varsity boys basketball coach at Sport & Medical Sciences Academy (SMSA) for the past seven years.  He started working with the SMSA boys basketball program in 2010.  Prior to taking over as head coach , he served as the assistant varsity/JV coach for eight years at SMSA under Milun Mraz, and one year at Brookfield High School.   His teams have enjoyed great success during his tenure at SMSA winning 119 games, 5 NCCC regular season championships (2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2024), and 4 straight NCCC Tournament Championships (2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024).  In 2022, SMSA was the Division V State Runner-Up and has made appearances in the state semifinals twice in the last four years.   Outside of coaching, he was a Health and Physical Education teacher at SMSA for 15 years prior to his current role as the K-12 Wellness Coordinator with the Region #10 School District (Burlington/Harwinton).  Coach McKay also serves boys basketball in the state as a member of the CIAC Boys Basketball Committee and the CHSCA Boys Basketball Chair.  He resides in Burlington with his wife Allie and their 3 children, Olivia (10), Drew (7), and Taylor (1).

John Reiser - Manchester High School (CCC)

Coach Reiser's career spans 37 seasons, coaching both boys and girls basketball with a total of nearly 600 combined wins.  His career began coaching boys at Rockville High School in 1987.  After a 5-year stint in Rocky Hill starting in 1995, he moved on to coach the Manchester girls to two state championships in 2003 and 2005 and more than 250 wins in 14 seasons.  For the last 10 seasons Coach Reiser has led the Red Hawks in the very competitive Central Connecticut Conference, competing year after year with some of the state's top teams.  In 2025, Reiser became the 3rd coach in CT Basketball History to win state championships with both boys and girls teams, leading Manchester to it's first boys State Championship since 1938.   Coach Reiser is a Health and Physical Education Teacher at Rocky Hill High School.

Charles Silvan - Fitch High School, Groton (ECC)

Coach Silvan has been involved in high school basketball and football for more than 25 years as a head coach, assistant coach, and coordinator.  He has been the head coach at Fitch for the last 9 seasons.  He has enjoyed incredible success on the sidelines with his teams including 2013 CIAC Class S Runners up, ECC Division 2 Champions in 2019 and 2022, an ECC regular season title in 2020, and a runner up finish in the 2025 CIAC Division 3 title game.  Coach Silvan is a Health and Physical Education Teacher at Fitch High School.  He is also the Director of the Hoop Academy Basketball Camp and coaches for the Connecticut Elite AAU program.  When not coaching, he serves as a middle school and travel basketball official for IAABO Board #8.  Coach Silvan is married to his wife Laurie with whom they have 2 children, Ella and Patrick.