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OUR COACHES

"It's not about what you do. It's about the way you do it and the people you do it with."

If you are looking for inspiration, you have come to the right place! Our coaches are at the heart of our success. The coaches at Athletic Impact Basketball offer top-notch training and leadership that will guide you to be your very best. We are committed to teaching aspiring young athletes the importance of surrounding yourself with the right opportunities and people who celebrate and elevate you.

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Co-directors Kristin Caruso and Courtney Gomez have known each other for 14 years starting back when Coach Caruso was recruiting Courtney to play at the University of Hartford.  They immediately connected as both of them share the same love for the game of basketball, hunger for competition, and passion for hard work. 5 years ago they had the opportunity to take the player/coach relationship to coaching together and have been thriving together ever since.

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KRISTIN CARUSO

Co-Director and Head Coach

Co-Director Kristin (Lamb) Caruso brings with her an abundance of basketball knowledge.  Kris began her athletic career in the state of Virginia at Hermitage High School located in Richmond.  She would go on to become a stand out player at the University of Connecticut (1986 - 1990).  After graduating she spent twenty years as a collegiate coach.  

 

Coach Caruso has been fortunate enough to do what she loved for so many years.  When asked what she loved most about coaching she said, “ I have had the opportunity to watch a number of players come through my programs and grow into fine adults.  I get to teach them that success is in their hands.”  Not many people can say that they like the challenge of building a program.  Caruso has had the chance to travel the country recruiting players.  She has knowledge of what college coaches are looking for and knows what it takes to be successful at every level.  

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Coach Caruso has spent the last 9 years giving back to the high school game, coaching AAU and helping numerous collegiate bound athletes receive full scholarships including schools such as Stanford, Wake Forest, Quinnipiac, Liberty, Marist, University of Hartford, Highpoint, St. Bonaventure, Mercy College, Post University and St. Thomas Aquinas College to name a few. 

Coaching Highlights

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  • Longwood University - Head Coach 

    • Led Longwood University to a record of 16-13 in her first season as Head Coach, which was Longwood’s first winning season since 2004-2005 and their first year participating as a Division 1 program.

    • 16th most improved Division 1 program in the country.

  • University of Hartford - Associate Head Coach 

    • Two America East regular season championships

    • Back to Back American East conference championships

    • 25-9 record and a trip the the NCAA tournament with a win over Dawn Staley's Temple team in 2006

    • 2nd round appearance in WNIT in 2007

  • Marist College - Head Coach 

  • Marist College - Assistant Coach 

  • Duquesne University - Assistant Coach 

  • University of Connecticut - Assistant Coach 

    • Helped coach the team to the first final four in program history

    • Big East Championship


Playing Highlights

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  • Big East Freshman of the Year 

  • Named All Big East three times 

  • Member Big East Conference Regular Season Champs 

  • Big East Champions 

  • Selected to Big East All Tournament Team 

  • Awarded UConn Club’s Outstanding Senior Athlete Award

  • Currently ranked 39th in points with 1,244 at UCONN

  • Inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame 2013


On a Personal Note

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Kristin (Lamb) Caruso has twins, Joseph and Robert Caruso.

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COURTNEY GOMEZ

Co-Director and Head Coach

Co-director Courtney Gomez is the current Head Girls Basketball Coach at Norwich Free Academy in Norwich, CT.  Gomez is an alumni of NFA (2000-2004) having been a four year member of the girls basketball team, softball team and cross country team, earning 12 varsity letters and serving as Captain for all 3 sports her senior year.  


Courtney went on to play at the highest level of basketball, Division I, at the University of Harford where she was a four year member and senior co-captain of the most successful class in Hartford history - winning 3 America East Championships and playing in 3 NCAA tournaments under former UCONN standout and current WNBA CT Sun President Jennifer Rizzotti.  


Courtney earned her Bachelors of Health Science in 3 years at the University of Hartford and went on to receive her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2010.  She has been a Board Certified Physical Therapist in the state of CT for the past 10 years and currently works for Kindred at Home in Old Saybrook, CT.  


Courtney feels fortunate to be able to give back to the NFA community that gave so much to her when she was a student-athlete. She thoroughly enjoys coaching young women to be the best version of themselves individually and together as a team.

Coaching Highlights

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  • Mercy High School Assistant Coach 2008-2010

    • Helped coach 3 college bound athletes (University of Hartford, Southern CT and Stonehill)

    • 2 SCC Championships

    • CIAC State Championship Game 2010 (runner up to NFA)

  • Mercy High School JV Coach 2013-2014

  • Norwich Free Academy JV Coach 2015-2017

  • Connecticut College Assistant Coach 2018-2019

  • Norwich Free Academy Head Coach 2019-Current

    • Has coached Norwich Free Academy to a 33-5 record in first two years as a head coach 

    • Undefeated 13-0 season during Covid pandemic

    • Consecutive ECC League Championships

    • Consecutive ECC Conference Championships 

    • Coach of the Year - Norwich Bulletin 2021

    • Member of the CIAC All-State Selection Committee 

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Playing Highlights

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  • 2 CIAC State Championships at NFA (2000 and 2001), 1 Runner up (2003)

  • 4 consecutive ECC league and conference championships at NFA (2000-2004)

  • Consecutive CIAC All-State First Team (2003, 2004)

  • All-ECC First team (2002, 2003, 2004)

  • Norwich Bulletin Player of the Year (2003 and 2004)

  • The Day Player of the Year (2003 and 2004)

  • 4 year scholarship player at the University of Hartford, Division 1 (under current WNBA CT Sun President Jennifer Rizzotti) - 2004-2008

  • 3 NCAA Tournament Appearances

    • 1st round 2004

    • 2nd round 2005

    • 2nd Round 2008

  • 1 WNIT Tournament 

    • 2006 - 2nd round 

  • 3 America East League Championships (2004, 2005, 2008)

  • 3 American East Conference Championships (2004, 2005, 2008)

  • Senior Captain University of Hartford

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