Head Coach: Ryan Shellhammer

Coach Ryan Shellhammer brings 26 years of coaching experience and a lifelong passion for athletics to the Immaculata Girls Basketball program. Throughout his career, he has coached and trained more than 1,000 college athletes across multiple sports, ranging from NCAA Division III to professional athletes playing overseas.

Coaching has been part of Shellhammer's life from an early age. His father, Joe Shellhammer, is a Hall of Fame coach at the former St. Peter's High School in New Brunswick, where he coached football, basketball, softball, and baseball. His father's philosophy, "110%, 100% of the time," has remained the foundation of Coach Shellhammer's approach to athletics, leadership, and personal development.

Shellhammer began his coaching career at just 14 years old, working with sixth- through eighth-grade basketball players at St. Mary of Mount Virgin in New Brunswick. He continued coaching throughout high school before attending Rutgers University.

As a college freshman in 2005, Shellhammer joined the coaching staff at St. Peter's High School, serving as a volunteer head junior varsity coach and varsity assistant until the school's closure in 2007.

In 2006, while attending Rutgers University, Shellhammer also joined the Rutgers Men's Basketball program as a student manager, working under head coaches Gary Waters and Fred Hill Jr. During this time, he worked alongside Brett MacConnell, the current Head Men's Basketball Coach at Dartmouth College. This experience provided valuable firsthand insight into the preparation, player development, and daily demands of competing at the NCAA Division I level.

Following the closure of St. Peter's High School in 2007, Shellhammer joined Hall of Fame coach Mary Klinger's staff at Rutgers Preparatory School, where the girls basketball program compiled an impressive 32–1 record during the 2007–2008 season, capturing both the Somerset County Championship and Prep State Championship.

Following that season, Shellhammer transitioned to the Rutgers Prep boys basketball program as Head Junior Varsity Coach and Varsity Assistant. Working alongside coaches Tony Mento and Tim Ortelli, he contributed to multiple Prep State Championships and Somerset County Tournament championship game appearances.

In the spring of 2013, Shellhammer was named Head Varsity Girls Basketball Coach at Mount Saint Mary Academy in Watchung. Over 13 seasons, he guided the Mount Lions to 170 victories and four Mountain/Valley Division Championships. During his tenure, he also served as Head Golf Coach, Head Junior Varsity Tennis Coach, and Varsity Tennis Assistant.

Club Basketball Experience:

In 2018, Shellhammer helped reestablish the New Jersey Panthers Boys Basketball Club, based in Montclair, New Jersey, serving as co-founder and program director. Under his leadership, the Panthers have developed a strong reputation for player development and helping student-athletes pursue opportunities at the collegiate level.

The program has achieved significant success in college recruitment, with 100% of its players receiving collegiate recruiting interest, spanning NCAA Division III through Division I programs. The New Jersey Panthers continue to grow, providing student-athletes with competitive opportunities, increased exposure, and the guidance necessary to identify the best academic and athletic fit at the next level.

With high school coaching experience spanning basketball, soccer, golf, baseball, and tennis, Shellhammer believes that the principles of success remain consistent across every sport: commitment, accountability, discipline, and a relentless approach to improvement.

Coaching Philosophy:

For Coach Shellhammer, success extends well beyond wins and losses. While talented, committed, and skilled student-athletes contribute to winning programs, he believes the true measure of success is the lasting impact athletics has on young people.

His philosophy centers on creating an experience that student-athletes carry with them long after their high school careers conclude. By consistently doing the right things, giving their best effort, holding themselves accountable, and developing positive habits both on and off the court, student-athletes build a foundation for success that extends far beyond the scoreboard.

At the heart of that philosophy is the principle passed down from his father:

"110%, 100% of the time."

Assistant Coach: Jessica Shaver

Coach Shaver has loved basketball since she first started playing in 3rd grade and continued her career through her sophomore year of college. The game has taught her the value of hard work, teamwork, perseverance, and confidence.

As a coach, Coach Shaver is passionate about helping young athletes develop both on and off the court. She believes basketball is about more than just winning games. It is about building character, learning life lessons, and becoming part of a team.

Her goal is to create a positive and supportive environment where players can grow, have fun, and gain confidence in themselves while developing a lifelong love for the game.

Assistant Coach: Anna Oliveri

Coach Anna’s basketball journey began at a young age of 2nd grade where she fell in love with the game thanks to her great coaches along the way, and continued to play all the way through high school. 

A 2017 graduate of Immaculata, Oliveri was a four-year varsity starter for the Spartans. She developed into one of the program’s most accomplished players. She served as team captain during her junior and senior year. She earned all conference and all area recognition, as well as becoming a 1,000 point scorer during her senior year. She finished her career with 1,244 points. 

Her role as a coach allows her to give back to the program that helped shape her as a player. Having experienced Immaculata basketball from the perspective of a student-athlete, she brings a unique understanding of the program, the demands of high school basketball, and the importance of developing not only skilled players, but confident and committed young women.

Basketball has evolved from something she played into something she now teaches—a continuation of her connection to Immaculata and a way to help the next generation of Spartan athletes build their own positive experiences through the game.