Not all players or coaches get the chance to participate in a title game. Jessica Lynch has had the opportunity in both capacities on the basketball court — once as a player and twice in a coaching role. Lynch was a 2012 Newtown High School standout and state champion, and is now assistant coach with the Morgan High girls, who have reached the state final two years in a row.

Lynch experienced a full-circle moment last March when Morgan advanced to the Class S pinnacle contest — on the same court where she won it all as a player more than a decade ago — at Uncasville's Mohegan Sun Arena. Morgan lost 49-38 to Coventry last year. The team got back to the final in the newly-established Division IV bracket as the top seed before falling 57-51 to No 7 Stonington on March 22. Back in 2012, Lynch had the decisive basket that propelled the Newtown Nighthawks to a 44-42 win over Mercy of Middletown to cap its Class LL State Championship.

"I feel honored to have been able to make it to the State Championship both as a player, and now twice as an assistant coach. In both experiences, the journey of getting to the State Championship came with just as much excitement as the actual final game. There is nothing like feeling the support of the community as you get to compete for your hometown. I have been teaching at Morgan for ten years now, so that has become my new hometown in a lot of ways," Lynch said.

Having had the chance to compete in the state final gives Lynch a first-hand perspective of the opportunity the players she coaches got to have.

"It was so incredible making it to State Championship this season with the Morgan girls' basketball team. It is always such an amazing experience for the student-athletes to get to play in an arena where so many great athletes have played. The CIAC does such a great job making the players feel special. Especially this year, it meant everything to us to be able to play in the State Championship with this team. Their camaraderie and trust in one another is unlike any other team I have coached. They reminded me of our team at NHS the year we won the state championship. I am a true believer that you need the right mix of student athletes to make it all the way to the finals," Lynch said.

Being part of the big game as a coach and player alike certainly has its similarities and its share of differences.

"The biggest difference between being at the game as a coach and a player is what you find enjoyment in. As a player, it is all about the fanfare of being in the game and getting to experience playing on the court under the lights. As a coach, it is in getting to watch your players get to experience those things for themselves. The focus is really on making the experience as special for them as possible," Lynch said.

The memories of that 2012 season are partly what fuel Lynch to help lead a team.

"That experience lives with me all the time. Not only do many of us players, coaches, and parents text each other on the anniversary of both our Hillhouse game (semifinals of the 2012 state tournament) and the final game each year, but that feeling of success and excitement is what keeps me coaching in a lot of ways. I want my student-athletes to be able to experience that feeling as well," she said.

After graduating high school, Lynch attended The College of New Jersey and played basketball all four years. She graduated with a dual degree in Math and Secondary Education. Lynch got into coaching right out of college. Within days of accepting a teaching job at Morgan she was asked to apply to be the junior varsity volleyball and basketball coach. After two years, Lynch became Morgan's varsity volleyball coach and has held that position ever since. Lynch also served as the school's girls' JV lacrosse coach for five seasons.

As a basketball assistant coach, her role is a lot about doing whatever is needed to support Head Coach Caitlin Woods and learn from her. Lynch said, "I am so fortunate to have been her assistant for the last ten years and the two of us have developed a great trust with one another. We bounce ideas off each other about game strategy and she listens to my suggestions about changes we might need to make, whether in practices or games. Caitlin also comes from a family of coaches and has a lot of coaching experience, so I am able to learn a lot from her," she added.

Some athletes have no interest in coaching. Lynch may be a natural, especially with her teaching background, but it is not so simple.

"It is definitely challenging to coach and teach athletes. There are so many different skills that go into being an athlete beyond just what you can physically do on the court. Those are the easy things to teach. The hard part is getting athletes to buy into your philosophy, to be mentally tough and to trust each other. However, those are all really important life skills for student-athletes to learn and helping students develop those skills is a big reason why I coach," she said.

Another significant reason for coaching is having a passion for the game.

"I enjoy the fast-paced nature of basketball. You are constantly moving and there is so much going on at all times. It makes the game both enjoyable to watch and play. Caitlin also likes to say that basketball is a superior sport because every player has to be able to do everything, both offensively and defensively. I think there is something unique about that and that to me is a reason basketball is a fun sport," Lynch said.

Lynch's roots in Newtown play a key role in what she has done. She was a leader on the court back in her playing days.

"Jess was the heartbeat of our team — she did everything in a quiet manner. She averaged a double-double and defended the other team's best player. Most importantly, she was one of the greatest kids that you would ever meet. She worked so hard every single day that no one wanted to be her partner in practice," Newtown High Coach Jeremy O'Connell said.

"My experiences at NHS were incredible. I had the opportunity to play for several amazing coaches that helped me grow as an athlete and a person. I also am so thankful for the teammates I had while I was at NHS. I have learned through my college and coaching experiences that having a bond with your teammates is an incredible gift that is rare and I am so thankful for those that I was able to play with while at NHS. The Newtown community is so special to me and I would never give up the experiences that I had growing up there," Lynch said.

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.