Surge Basketball is owned and operated by Tony Battilana.

Born in Saint John NB, Coach Battilana spent his early years in Hamilton ON, where his passion for basketball began. He developed his game at St. Luke’s High School before being recruited to Bishop Ryan by Coach Joe Dedrepanie. After high school, he played at Fanshawe College in London ON, represented Ontario in provincial basketball, and competed in the CANUSA Games. Though recruited by St. Francis Xavier University, he chose to pursue other opportunities.

Coach B transitioned from player to coach with a girls’ team in Hamilton. After returning to New Brunswick, where his coaching caught the attention of former NCAA Division I player Modibo Diarra, who asked Coach B to take over his elite girls’ team. That team became the foundation of Surge Basketball.

Coach B is known for breaking down footwork, movement, and body mechanics; helping athletes understand what to do, why it matters, and how to do it better. His individualized approach has helped countless athletes elevate their game, with many going on to compete at the university level and beyond.

For Coach B, Surge is about more than successful teams. It is about developing athletes, creating opportunities, raising the regional standard of basketball, and helping young players discover how far the game can take them.

Meet Our Coaches 

Meet the coaches leading Surge this season. Our coaching team is committed to athlete development, positive leadership and creating an environment where players can compete, develop and belong.

Coaching Philosophy

At Surge, our coaches are the heartbeat of our program. With their experience, genuine passion, and commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive environment; our coaches inspire and guide our athletes every step of the way. Focused on growth through concept, our coaches emphasize teaching proper body mechanics and footwork. Rather than relying on set plays, our coaches encourage a more dynamic and adaptable style of play. Coaches guide athletes to read the defense, identify mismatches, and exploit open spaces on the court. We emphasize ball movement, effective spacing, and the use of passing, cutting, and screening to create scoring opportunities.

Building authentic connections and trust with our athletes is also a central element to our coaching philosophy at Surge. This foundation allows our coaches to effectively challenge and motivate our athletes, helping them to unlock their potential and push them to achieve the next level of success.

NOTE - All our coaches go through a required screening process and participate in ongoing training sessions with the Surge director.

Private and Semi-Private Lessons

As his schedule permits, Coach B offers private and semi-private lessons for individuals looking to correct their mechanics and take their game to the next level.