Luke Chicone ’25 and Chase Toppin ’25 have taken their basketball talents to a whole new level by creating a leadership program called Learner-Centered Teaching (LCT). The basketball players started this to develop athletes’ skills from kindergarten through 12th grade.
Within their coaching, Chicone and Toppin explain that their “mission is to develop players’ athletic abilities and create opportunities for them to build friendships within a supportive environment,” and foster an inclusive community for kids to grow on and off the court.
Together they also run an AAU team, a select travel basketball team for a small group of athletes, which compete in tournaments throughout the spring and summer. Some activities involved in their training include one-on-one sessions, group training sessions tailored by age and skill level and team-based events. Recently, the two held their first tournament for high school athletes, which featured 16 teams competing.
Toppin and Chicone adhere to a training style structured around flexibility and individualization. They’ve invested considerable time in each athlete’s development, which they say sets them apart from other programs.
Since both are only a few years older than some of the participants, they can connect with them authentically, supporting them beyond just basketball. The two have helped their athletes in arranging college visits, placing them on quality travel teams and regularly attending their games to cheer them on.
They also promote teamwork within their program by focusing on communication and camaraderie. By working together in group sessions, the athletes learn to understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses and can develop better on-court chemistry. Chicone and Toppin said that, “By instilling a team-first mentality in our athletes, we help them understand how individual growth contributes to team success.”
Now as these seniors prepare for their upcoming season, they have noticed some improvements on the court which they credit to LCT. They said, “Training others requires credibility and a deep understanding of the game, which has helped [us] grow both as a player and a coach.”
They have incorporated new techniques and strategies which have led to refining specific moves, improving defensive reads and handling adversity. Both said this experience improved their leadership skills and reinforced their commitment to be the kind of athletes they aspire to be. Chicone and Toppin plan to continue working daily on their skills and hope to reach some personal goals like winning a national championship and potentially earning an overseas contract. The two have enhanced their professional skills with their coaching, remarking that LCT training has improved their public speaking, personal branding and entrepreneurship.
These two learned the importance of marketing themselves and building relationships within the basketball community. They also incorporated their values into training sessions which allowed them to lead more effectively and advise athletes on the best ways to enhance their skills and reach their potential.
Looking forward, the two seniors know LCT training will benefit them long-term. Already, they have collaborated with some brands and explored partnerships that could elevate their program. Both share a long-term goal of establishing a top-tier program, expanding their travel teams and eventually opening their own gym.
As they prepare for John Carroll’s upcoming men’s basketball season, they are certain they have come prepared, knowing they have honed their skills in leadership, marketing, teamwork and how to overcome adversity. This will no doubt be a highly impactful season for them and the team.