Who We Are
Torch Basketball Academy is first and foremost a training, and skill development program. Learn everything the game has to offer from those who’ve lived it. Our mission is to illuminate the path to greatness through core basketball and life fundamentals including: leadership, teamwork, time management, discipline, perseverance, and excellence.
Our Coaches
Coach Mel
Executive Director/ Coach
Melanie Murphy was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. She had an extremely successful high school career where she was named to Madison Square Garden’s Tri-State All-Star First Team, in addition to being a three-time New York Daily News All-City First-Team member. Melanie remains her school’s all-time leading scorer with 1,855 points, and is the first player (man or woman) to have her jersey retired.
After being recruited by Stanford University, she made the cross-country trip to follow her childhood dreams of playing for a top athletic and academic institution. At Stanford she was fortunate to have played on Four Pac -10 Championship teams, with four NCAA Final Four appearances and two appearances the NCAA National Championship. Melanie is the founder and CEO of Torch Basketball
Assistant Director/ Coach
Coach Drea
Andrea ``Drea`` Hernandez was born and raised in Modesto, CA.
Drea has a strong belief in personal development and coaches with passion and heart. The process of cultivating strong woman, improving individual skill sets, and creating better people as a part of a team are some of the aspects that excite Drea as a coach:
Torch Basketball, Girls Basketball Director
Varsity Girls Basketball Asst. coach at Sacred Heart Prep, Atherton.
Coaching Accomplishments:
2011 - 2012, Modesto Metro Conference (MMC) Champions
