Moorpark High Welcomes Kenny Lewis as New Boys’ Basketball Coach

 

(Moorpark, California) March 10, 2025—Kenny Lewis doesn’t just want to build a winning program at Moorpark High School. He wants to build student athletes who carry themselves with pride, on and off the court.

“Having high-character players is my biggest priority,” said Lewis. “When ‘Moorpark’ is on your chest, you have to represent it like it’s a Superman logo.”

Lewis was recently named the new head coach for boys’ basketball at Moorpark High School.

A former collegiate player who has learned from some of the game’s best coaches, Lewis is bringing a defense-first philosophy.

“We’re going to focus on defense and strive to be one of the best defensive teams in the county and the area, just because of the effort we put in,” he said.

“Coach Lewis brings a fresh energy to our boys’ basketball program along with a strong coaching background,” Principal Zaid Bakoo said. “His experience and leadership will be instrumental in building a competitive program that’s focused on student growth and fostering a culture of accountability, teamwork and resilience.”

Lewis, a former standout at La Sierra University in Riverside, brings years of coaching experience at both the high school and national club levels.

He most recently served as a varsity assistant coach at Campbell Hall, where he played a key role in game planning, scouting and player development. He helped coach the team to the quarter finals of the CIF Southern Section Div. 1 playoffs.

From 2019 to 2023, he was the varsity assistant coach and head junior varsity coach at Orange Lutheran High School in Orange.

His experience extends to the AAU circuit, where he has coached elite national teams, including Build Your Way Elite 16U on the Puma Circuit and Jalen Green Elite 16U on the Adidas National Circuit.

Lewis’s philosophy is rooted in preparation, discipline and accountability—both on and off the court.

“We’re going to be the most in shape, the most fundamentally sound and the most prepared overall,” he said. “Preparation is key, and that’s something I’ve learned from coaching under other guys like Coach (David) Gray. When you’re the most prepared, things tend to go your way—especially in high school basketball.”

Beyond basketball, Lewis expects his players to be leaders on campus and in the community.

“I want these young men to learn how to be responsible adults and have the tools they need moving forward in life,” he said.

Lewis credits his own coaches, both those he played for and worked alongside, for shaping his philosophy and approach to mentorship.

“I grew up in a single-mom household, and my coaches were very important in my life,” he said. “The biggest lesson they taught me is that it really does take a village to raise kids. Having a solid foundation and strong support system is crucial. That’s going to reflect in the coaching staff I bring on and the people I surround these kids with. The biggest thing I want these kids to take from me is that I am someone they can rely on. I want them to look at me as the kind of coach they would invite to their wedding someday.”

In addition to his duties as head basketball coach, Lewis will also work with Moorpark High students in preparing their FAFSA applications.