The Deer Isle-Stonington girls basketball team is definitely a family affair.
The head coach is Glenn Billings, his assistant coach is his son Brian Billings, and he is coaching his two granddaughters: junior guard Hannah Billings and eighth-grade guard Halle Billings.
Brian Billings is the girls’ uncle. Their father is Joel Billings.
Glenn said he enjoys coaching his granddaughters.
“It’s real good. They’re players. They work hard, they don’t give anybody a hard time and they really try to do their best,” said Glenn, who is in his third season as the head coach.
“It can be the best and the worst thing,” said Hannah. “When we’re winning, it’s great to share it not only with my grandfather but now my sister and my uncle. It’s just great. It makes us feel more together.”
Unfortunately for the Billings family, Tuesday night wasn’t one of those nights as the Mariners were beaten by Ashland 27-16 in their Class S tournament quarterfinal at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.
“We have fun most of the time,” said the grandfather. “Practices are good and when we get on a winning streak it’s really good. But these nights are tough ones.”
Hannah, playing on a tender ankle, had one point but her seven rebounds were second-most among players on both teams. She also had an assist and a steal in 25 minutes.
Halle, making her tourney debut, didn’t have any points but did grab three rebounds in over 18 minutes of playing time.
Both played important roles in helping the Mariners earn the fourth seed for the tournament as they averaged 8-12 points per game. And they will be important components on next year’s team as well.
The Mariners will lose just one senior to graduation after this season and had four sophomores, four freshmen and eighth-grader Halle Billings on their roster along with three juniors.
The girls said their grandfather is more demanding of them than the other players but they embrace it.
“He treats us harder. He pushes harder than everyone else in my opinion,” said Hannah.
Her sister agreed.
“but those standards can make you such a better player,”” said Halle. “He wants us to be the best versions of yourself and it’s helping us a lot already.”
Both girls said they wouldn’t be the players they are today without their grandfather.
Basketball is a common topic of conversation in family outings and a lot of those outings involve basketball.
“When we have a free evening, we’re always at the gym,” said Hannah. “Every Sunday after church, those are always the things we’re doing. When we go out visiting, we’re always going to a new basketball court or something like that.
“It has its perks,” she said with a smile.
The coach said his granddaughters have reached the age where they have moved on to other things so he doesn’t see them as much as he used to.
“But when we’re together, we do talk basketball,” he added.
Being coached by their grandfather is nothing new. He coached them when playing on various teams growing up, although this is the first time his granddaughters have played high school basketball together.
“Some of it has been one-on-one and some of it has been team-oriented,” he said.
Both players said they love their grandfather and consider him an excellent coach.
“I’m really excited for next year,” said Halle. “I love playing with my sister and being on a team with all of my friends. And it’s an honor having my grandfather as my coach and my uncle as my assistant coach.”