Meet Huntersville area youth basketball coach Michelle Linkswiler

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. — Michelle Linkswiler is a youth basketball coach with “Nothing But Net” in Huntersville, something she has been passionate about for over 10 years.

“I started playing basketball when I was eight. I played high school basketball, where I set a state record (for both girls and boys) for shooting thirteen 3 pointers in one game. I also scored over 1000 points in my high school career. This led me to earning a scholarship to play basketball in college. I began coaching when one of my sons turned eight and have been coaching ever since.”

At Nothing But Net, Michelle focuses on two key points of the game. “We always work on defense. But more importantly, we work on developing relationships, which leads to chemistry.” Chemistry is what makes the difference, not only on the court but long after the game is over.

Because of Michelle’s focus on chemistry, her teams at Nothing But Net have seen a lot of success over the last 10 years. “In my first year of coaching at Nothing But Net Huntersville, my older son’s team made the finals. This past year, my youngest son’s team won both the spring and fall 8u championships. In between there, our teams have made it to the finals a few times. However, it isn’t making the finals or even winning that is the most memorable. It is the players that have found their way into my heart, and even some into our family that are the most memorable takeaways from coaching.”

Amid all that success, there is bound to be some difficult losses as well. Michelle helps her players cope with that and focus as well. “I talk about our moments of success, as much as our areas of opportunity. I remind them that anything can happen and that they should never give up. One of the teams I coached, in another league, was at the bottom going into the playoffs (10th seed). They had to play an extra round to advance. They ended up winning the whole thing. There is always a chance.”

Even in those inevitable losses, Michelle treasures all the moments she has been able to share with her athletes because of the relationships she has built around her team. “The last game that I coached my son’s high school level team was my most proud and my most bittersweet. We lost that game, but we lost with a team that in many ways was like family. Most of the players I had coached for a long time, including some for six years. Watching them grow into better athletes, and more importantly incredible young men, while being a small contributor to their development is a great source of pride. I have treasured those whom I was able to coach for years, and still miss so many of the ones I only coached for a season.”

Michelle’s players have learned so much from her, and she has learned a lot too. “The biggest lesson I have learned is that showing up matters. I learned the importance of being consistent, honest, fair, and most importantly, accountable to my players just as I expect them to be accountable to themselves and the team. Those things have taught all of us lessons that extend far beyond the court.”

Beyond that court, and after the final buzzer, Michelle also hopes her athletes carry what she instills in them through their whole lives. “Never give up, and never say ‘I can’t’. So much is possible with hard work, determination and accountability. I hope they carry with them the knowledge that they were believed in, and cared for as much as they were coached. I hope they remember that great things can be accomplished if they work together, with others, toward a common goal.”

Athletics of any kind are important, but this is especially true for youths. Michelle knows this and takes it seriously. “I am incredibly thankful for the chance to share my passion for, and knowledge of, basketball with so many. It has been a privilege to coach these players. I hope this time sparks a lifelong love of basketball in them too. But more importantly, I hope they also take away the feeling that I believe in them as people, even more than I believe in them as players. I am humbled by how they have responded and how many have stayed connected and choose to continue sharing their life with me. Coaching is a gift that I don’t take for granted. Thank you to Huntersville for allowing me to be a coach and more importantly to the parents who trust me with their children for a time.”

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