The Beverly Hills High School Boys Varsity team is beginning a new chapter under Coach Adam Verdi and is looking to build something that lasts.
Coming off a 13-15 campaign in the 2024-2025 season and a loss in the opening round of the California Interscholastic Federation Division 2A championship, Beverly is looking to bounce back under the leadership of Verdi. Prior to becoming head coach, Verdi served as the junior varsity coach for the last 16 seasons and also graduated from BHHS in 1999. Verdi takes over the program from Jarvis Turner, who served as head basketball coach for 15 years.
“I’m excited to get to work with these young men every day. Being a part of this program for the last 16 seasons, now as varsity head coach, means a lot to me personally,” Verdi said. “My biggest focus is culture, how we train, how we treat each other, how we carry ourselves. I want us to compete with effort and discipline, but also grow as teammates and people. We’re going to build something that lasts by focusing on the details and doing things the right way.”
The Normans will be led by captains Sasha Emrani and Max Simantob, seniors who play guard and forward, respectively. Verdi said the number of boys who try out for the program—which fields a varsity, junior varsity and freshman/sophomore team—is one of the strengths of the program.
“This program carries a legacy,” he said. “There’s pride in being part of something with history, and that motivates our players to rise to the moment. We had over 50 boys come out this year, which shows how much it means to be part of this team. That kind of energy is something we don’t take for granted.”
While coming off a solid season, Verdi said he hopes the team will take the next step this year.
“The focus is on improving communication, staying mentally sharp in key moments and developing stronger team chemistry,” he said. “We want to be more consistent, and that comes from trusting the process and doing the little things every day.”
Beyond working together as a team, Verdi is trusting his seniors to lead by example.
“I’m looking at our seniors to lead, not just in points or stats, but in how they show up for practice, how they support younger guys, and how they carry the standard. Leadership is about consistency and being dependable. That’s what I expect from them,” he added.
Athletic Director Steve Lawson said he believes that Verdi is the right person for the job at this moment.
“I’m excited that we have someone who truly understands what it means to be a Norman,” Lawson said. “Adam Verdi grew up in this program, he played here, coached here and he knows our students. He brings heart, consistency and a real love for the school. I think he’s the right person to build something meaningful with relationships and culture. My hope is that the program becomes a place where student-athletes thrive on the court and in their lives beyond high school.”
The basketball season is an opportunity for the school and the community together and the boys will need that support throughout the year, Lawson added.
“I want to encourage everyone, parents, students, alumni, neighbors, to come out and support our Normans,” he said. “When our athletes feel the energy of the community behind them, they rise to the occasion. It’s not just a game, it’s a moment we share.”
The boys will also be featured in new Nike gear after BHUSD approved a five-year agreement with that will provide the district with Nike-branded apparel at a discounted price.
“When our students walk into a gym or onto a field, how they carry themselves matters,” Lawson said. “Looking the part builds confidence. It shows that we take pride in who we are and what we represent. This partnership helps us reflect the excellence we expect from our students. It unites our programs, elevates our presence and reminds every athlete that they belong to something bigger. We are here to compete at the highest level, and we should look like it.”
One game that will rally both the school and the community is the annual rivalry game against Santa Monica High School.
“That game carries weight. There’s history and emotion in a matchup like that,” Verdi said. “As a player, those games meant everything. Now, as a coach, I see it as a chance to measure our toughness and composure. A win would mean more than just a score, it would show that we’re building something strong together.”
But more than growing together as a team, Verdi said he hopes his players will take away lessons they can apply to their lives outside of basketball from playing together.
“I want these guys to learn how to show up, even when it’s hard. I want them to understand what it means to be dependable, to communicate, to support one another,” he said. “Those lessons go way beyond basketball. Whether they win a championship or not, they’ll remember how it felt to be part of a team that held them to a higher standard.”
Beverly Hills will kick off the 2025-26 season with a Nov. 18 home game against Blair High School.
