New Braves coach Woods has deep basketball roots

C.J. Woods represents the latest branch off a decades old Friday Harbor basketball coaching tree dating to the late Dean Turnbull, for whom the gymnasium at the island school is named.

Woods is now looking forward to setting down roots in La Conner as the new Braves head hoops coach.

The Friday Harbor and University of Idaho alum was chosen to succeed Todd Hinderman, an award-winning science teacher at La Conner Schools who guided the Braves to a State 2B sweet sixteen berth in 2019 and whose up-tempo style was popular with players and fans.

Woods joins Hinderman on the La Conner teaching staff as a secondary physical education instructor with an emphasis on health and fitness and is excited at the prospect of leading a basketball program that boasts one of the strongest small school traditions in Washington state.

“La Conner has always been a program you look at and see the excitement of it,” Woods told the Weekly News Sunday. “There’s community support, great individuals and a rich basketball history. When we played La Conner, we always knew it was going to be a battle. La Conner boys’ basketball is tough, disciplined and plays together.”

Woods was the top choice of a selection panel whose members ranged from students to administrators.

His lifelong basketball background was an asset. His dad, Friday Harbor School District Superintendent Fred Woods, is a Wyoming hall of fame basketball coach.

“As a coach, educator and as a person,” the younger Woods said, “his impact has been tremendous and he has always been someone to look up to as a role model.”

C.J. Woods grew up around the game.

As a Friday Harbor player, he helped propel the Wolverines to a pair of consecutive league titles, which led to Woods playing and working for five years in the collegiate basketball world. He enrolled at the University of Jamestown and Peninsula College before finishing his degree work at Idaho in 2020.

“When you look back at your playing experience,” he said, “there are individual moments that you are proud of, but your favorite highlights are what you did as a team.”

For the La Conner team, his approach will be to build success at all levels.

“My goal this season for this team is to play our best basketball,” Woods said. “We want to continue to grow and develop as a basketball team from now to playoff time. Program wide, it’s about building a foundation from the youth all the way to the varsity level. It’s about creating the right culture and building the right steps to creating a positive basketball program throughout. More so, I’m just excited to play a role that hopefully impacts the community and our basketball athletes in a positive way.”

A key focus will be maintaining balance at both ends of the floor.

“I believe that defense dictates a lot of games,” he said, “and we aren’t afraid to play with defensive intensity. At the same time, we want to develop shooters from our youth programs all the way to our varsity athletes. At the end of the day, we want to play the best basketball we can play and take pride in La Conner basketball.”

Despite his relative youth – being just a year removed from the college scene – Woods has already logged coaching hours at several levels.

“My coaching experience,” he noted, “ranges from working in the college basketball setting to recently as a high school boys’ head coach, assistant high school coach, multiple AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) coaching gigs, developing third grade through 12th grade youth basketball programs, to establishing a basketball training academy.

“Coaching basketball,” Woods stressed, “has been a dream since I was a little kid and I try to be part of it however I can.”

As with his immediate predecessors, Hinderman and Scott Novak – the latter the girls’ head basketball coach – Woods will stress the need for his players to strive daily to do their best in the classroom.

“It stems from the idea that we are going to be champions both on and off the court,” he said.

As a teacher, Woods wants to encourage student growth and response.

“How we respond in situations and what we take away to continue to grow as individuals is so important,” Woods said. “It’s about developing a growth mindset and continuing to bring together what it means to be a part of the La Conner School District and community.”

Woods considers Novak, who previously coached the La Conner boys’ and girls’ teams simultaneously, among his mentors.

While in high school, Woods played on an off-season travel team coached by Novak.

“I really enjoyed that,” he recalled, “(and) I’m excited to be a part of this basketball community and this basketball program.

“I can’t even tell you how excited I am for this position,” Woods added, “From the first interview to now, La Conner has absolutely been great and has felt like a great fit. La Conner School District is a fantastic school district in which I’m eager to get into the schools and play a part. As far as coaching goes, this is a place I want to be. La Conner has always been a community with lots of support for basketball and I can’t wait to get involved with the youth all the way to the varsity level.”