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SAVANNAH — New Calvary Day girls basketball coach Kevin Furtado wasted little time putting his stamp on the program.
Just a couple of months after taking over the Lady Cavs, Furtado welcomed 16 schools to campus for the inaugural Calvary Day School Girls Hoops Shootout, a two-day event designed to give teams valuable summer game experience while helping grow girls' basketball in the Coastal Empire.
New Calvary Day girls basketball coach Kevin Furtado watches as a Lady Cavaliers player takes a jump shot during the Calvary Day School Girls Hoops Shootout in Savannah. (Prep Sports Report Photo)
Teams from across southeast Georgia and beyond took to the courts at Tippet Gym, Layton Gym on the Calvary Day campus, and Southside Baptist Church, creating two days of non-stop middle school, junior varsity and varsity basketball action.
For Furtado, the event was about more than wins and losses.
"We had 16 schools here over two days," Furtado said. "I've always hosted shootouts wherever I've coached, but I didn't expect this many teams. The goal was to get basketball on our campus, create opportunities for coaches and players, and bring more basketball to Savannah. The coaches have really appreciated the opportunity."
The shootout also gave Calvary fans an early look at the program under Furtado, who takes over a team looking to bounce back after a difficult 4-21 season.
The veteran coach enters his 36th season with more than 500 career victories and a reputation for rebuilding programs. His focus at Calvary Day starts with changing the culture.
"New school, new program," Furtado said. "Our expectations are culture first. Culture wins. We're trying to get Calvary girls basketball back to where it was. There's a great legacy here and we're working to build that back."
A Calvary Day player drives to the basket versus Beach High School during action at the Calvary Day School Girls Hoops Shootout. (Prep Sports Report Photo)
While the wins may come later, Furtado said he is already seeing signs of progress.
"The girls are competing hard, and that's a good sign," Furtado said. "We're coming off a tough season and we're still developing our skills, but defensively we're competing. The effort level is high right now."
The summer schedule has been demanding, but Furtado believes his players are responding.
"They're giving us a lot," he said. "We've played a lot of games in the last few weeks and they're not used to that. I'm demanding and I hold them accountable, but I think they appreciate that. We're trying to teach them to do things the right way."
More than anything, Furtado wants Calvary Day fans to see a team that plays with effort and pride every time it takes the floor.
"We talk about Calvary Pride all the time," Furtado said. "We may not win every game, but we're going to compete. People are watching how you play, how you support your teammates and whether you give up. Those things matter."
One of the Savannah local teams participating in the shootout was St. Vincent's Academy under second-year head coach Jason Helton.
Helton said the summer has provided valuable opportunities for his young squad.
"They're playing with so much passion and energy right now," Helton said. "The biggest thing I've seen is the chemistry developing. They're starting to read each other and play together, and that's exciting to watch."
Helton believes the summer months are critical for player and team development.
"We've got a great group of young players coming in," Helton said. "They're competing hard and giving us quality minutes. It's exciting to see what this group can become."
St. Vincent's Academy head coach Jason Helton watches as a Saints player prepares to shoot during the Calvary Day School Girls Hoops Shootout in Savannah. (Prep Sports Report Photo)
The St. Vincent's coach was also impressed with what Calvary Day was able to put together.
"This was amazing," Helton said. "When Coach Furtado told me he was doing this, I said I was in. We need more events like this in Savannah."
Over two days, the Saints played eight games.
"We played two JV games and six varsity games," Helton said. "You're not going to find many opportunities like that. It's great for the players, great for the coaches and great for girls basketball."
Helton hopes the event continues to grow.
"I told Coach Furtado I'd love to see this become a three- or four-day event," Helton said. "Bringing all these teams together is good for everybody."
A St. Vincent's Academy player goes up for a layup against Vidalia during the Calvary Day School Girls Hoops Shootout hosted by Calvary Day School. (Prep Sports Report Photo)
For Furtado, that was exactly the goal.
The new Calvary Day coach knows rebuilding a program will take time. But if the turnout and energy surrounding the first Calvary Day School Girls Hoops Shootout are any indication, the foundation is already being laid.
And for a program looking to reclaim its place among the area's top girls basketball teams, that's a strong first step.
Photo credit: Courtesy of Prep Sports Report
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Basketball coverage sponsored by Optim Orthopedics. Optim Orthopedics has always gone beyond what’s expected to offer more.
They keep Savannah’s athletes healthy and ready to compete all season.
Team physicians include Dr. Don Aaron (Bryan County), Dr. David Sedory (Benedictine, Bradwell Institute, Liberty County), Dr. David Palmer (Calvary Day, Richmond Hill, South Effingham), and Dr. Thomas Alexander (Savannah Country Day, St. Vincent’s Academy).
