TRAINING SESSION: Jesse Krasna dribbles up court during 2014 action in the Princeton Recreation Department Men’s Summer Basketball League. This summer, Krasna has formed his own team, Jesse Krasna Hoops Training, and has guided the squad to a strong start as it improved to 5-1 with a 61-53 win over Ivy Inn last Friday. In other summer hoops action last Friday, Dr. Palmer edged Pediatric Therapy Solutions 54-53 and Rogue’s Gallery defeated Majeski Foundation 69-64. Krasna and Majeski are currently tied for first place in the league standings with Rogue’s Gallery and King’s Pizzarama just behind with 4-2 records. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Jesse Krasna has devoted himself to teaching and coaching.

The former Ursinus College basketball standout teaches K-5 health and physical education in the Centennial School District in Warminster, Pa. and also helps to coach the boys’ hoops team at Council Rock North. He has also started his own business, Jesse Krasna Hoops Training (www.pureskillshoops.wix.com/pureskills), through which he trains male and female players of all ages through clinics and private sessions.

Krasna’s ability to help others play better was on display last Friday evening as he helped his Krasna Hoops Training squad to a 61-53 win over Ivy Inn in the Princeton Recreation Department Men’s Summer Basketball League.

The slick left-handed guard scored five points as he focused on facilitating his teammates.

“On this team we have a lot of scorers so I am happy to take a back seat and set guys up and even play less minutes if I have to,” said Krasna.

“Some nights it might be my turn to step up and take more shots. We have got a lot of weapons and so I think we need to get everybody involved.”

Having previously played for the PA Blue Devils and Winberie’s in the summer hoops league, Krasna utilized his Pennsylvania connections to form his current squad.

“I trained a bunch of these guys a little bit and I know others from either playing with or against,” explained Krasna.

“Some of them are younger siblings of good friends. We knew it was a good league and they were looking for a place to play. There are not many leagues like this that are so organized. You know every night it is going to be a good physical game.”

Last Wednesday, Krasna’s team had a rough night as it fell 63-57 in overtime to Majeski Foundation, The College of New Jersey men’s hoops entry in the league, to suffer its first loss of the season after four wins.

“It was a dogfight, those guys play really well together,” said Krasna. “They moved the ball, they are really physical, and they have some shooters. We knew it was going to be a tough battle. Hopefully by the end of the season, when our guys are playing together a little bit more, we will be able to take them down.”

Krasna was happy to see his guys come bounce back with the hard-earned win over Ivy Inn two nights later.

“Ivy doesn’t have quite as many younger guys but they have got a lot really smart veteran players that are strong, they put the ball in the hoop, and they are really crafty,” added Krasna.

“I think it is good for a lot of our younger guys who are getting ready to play college ball to see how the game slows down a little bit for the veterans when they don’t necessarily have the legs that they used to have. Ivy is always a tough out.”

In pulling away from Ivy and improving to 5-1, some of Krasna’s younger players starred as Matt Margolis of Ursinus scored a game-high 19 points with Babson-bound Jack Coolahan chipping in 17 and Zach Sibel adding 12 as he did some yeomen’s work on the paint.

“Matt Margolis hit a lot of shots; Jack Coolahan is a really nice player and this was only his third game with us,” said Krasna. “Sibel is an animal. We have got a lot good pieces.”

In Krasna’s view, the squad has a lot of potential going forward. “I think for our guys, it is just continuing to play more together so we develop that chemistry,” asserted Krasna.

“We have a lot of guys willing to share the ball. At times, because we are new with each other, we are not always in the right spot yet. We don’t have a feel for each other but it is starting to develop. I think we can put together a good run down the stretch here.”