Coach Tara has developed a reputation for cultivating winning teams and empowering athletes both on and off the court. Her leadership is marked by a deep understanding of the game, a commitment to developing player skills, and an unwavering dedication to fostering teamwork, discipline and sportsmanship.

Throughout her career, Coach Bennett has guided both boys and girls teams to numerous playoff appearances, securing several tournament titles and earning recognition for her ability to build a strong, cohesive program. Her approach focuses on developing players’ fundamentals, enhancing their basketball IQ, and instilling a sense of accountability and hard work in every practice.

Coach Bennett’s coaching philosophy is built on the belief that success comes from a combination of dedication, respect, positive mental attitude and continuous improvement. Whether mentoring athletes at the high school level or developing talent in a competitive travel, club or AAU setting, she prioritizes the growth of her players, helping them become not only better basketball players but well-rounded individuals.

Passionate about making a positive impact, Tara continues to inspire and lead by example, pushing her athletes to reach their full potential on and off the court. As a former collegiate player, Coach Bennett draws from her own experiences to guide her athletes through the challenges of balancing sports, academics, and personal growth. Her background in strength and conditioning allows her to develop training programs that build athleticism and prepare her players for future opportunities at every level.

Coach Tara trained and competed at a high level throughout her playing career, winning several conference championships and an undefeated (31-0) NJ state championship at Red Bank Catholic High School (NJ) and continuing on to compete for NCAA Division I, Quinnipiac University. Tara was inducted into the Red Bank Catholic Athletic Hall of Fame in 2023.

“Basketball has provided me with tremendous opportunities for success, while teaching me some of life’s greatest skills and hardest lessons – the most valuable, learning how to overcome adversity. I’ve had incredible coaches and mentors who have all been influential parts of my life. As your athletes develop they will go through competitive training and face experienced opponents. My goal is to push them further than they thought they could go on their own, build and foster their confidence, develop stronger mechanics, increase their basketball IQ, impress upon them what it truly means to be a teammate and most importantly teach them how to overcome adversity on and off the court by building strong mental performance habits.”