Pascual Earns Basketball Coach of the Year Honors

In her fourth year at the helm, Pascual led KUA to a 20-5 overall record and an appearance in the NEPSAC Class C title game for the first time since 2015. The Wildcats’ 20-win season was their best since the 2015-16 campaign, and included an 11-game win streak that spanned much of the regular season.

“Winning this award is an incredible honor, especially because it comes from my fellow NEPSAC coaches,” Pascual said. “But most importantly, this award reflects the trust and commitment of my team. They embraced the process, faced challenges together, and showed up for one another every day. That right there is why I continue to do this.”

KUA’s berth in the NEPSAC Class C tournament was its third of the last four seasons, but first as the No. 1 seed since 2016. And the Wildcats used their home court to their advantage in the first-two rounds, earning hard-fought wins over Montrose School and Kents Hill School to clinch their ticket to the title game.

On the neutral floor of the Loomis Chaffee School in Windsor, Connecticut, KUA took on a familiar — at least in name — opponent in a Hamden Hall Country Day School team it faced in both the 2014 (KUA won) and 2015 (Hamden Hall won) title games. But this time, it was the Hornets that left with their second title since 2023 despite KUA having fought its way to a slim third-quarter lead.

“A quote that Coach Pascual always said was, ‘It’s the little things.’ The little things are what we need to focus on to get better,” player Dakoda ’25 said. “To Coach Pascual, the little things aren’t small, they’re the foundation of discipline, effort, and teamwork. They’re what separate good from great, what turns last-minute losses into gritty wins. And when we made the championship game for the first time since 2015, we realized it was all because of the little things.”

NEPSAC Coach of the Year awards are voted on by coaches and athletic directors of member schools, and are issued for each class associated with a given sport. Pascual said the honor comes with added humility knowing it was awarded by her peers, but that her true motivation has always been helping her student-athletes grow as individuals.

“I started coaching because I used to be that kid, seeking connection and someone who believed in me,” Pascual said. “I understand how crucial this role is for young athletes and how it can significantly affect their lives, positively or negatively. This work is not easy, and being recognized reminds me of why I chose this profession — to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our student-athletes.”