Surge Basketball is owned and operated by Anthony (Tony) Battilana.

Born in Saint John, New Brunswick; Coach B spent his early years in Hamilton, ON where his passion for basketball first took root. He developed his game at St. Luke’s High School before being recruited to Bishop Ryan under Coach Joe Dedrepanie. Following high school, Coach B continued his playing career at Fanshawe College in London, ON. He also represented Ontario in provincial basketball and competed in the CANUSA Games. Although recruited by St. Francis Xavier University, Coach B ultimately chose to pursue other opportunities.

As his basketball journey evolved, Coach B transitioned from player to coach, beginning with a girls’ team in Hamilton ON. After returning home to New Brunswick, he continued coaching with River Valley and ESJMBA while developing and leading elite basketball camps Im the area.

His work caught the attention of Coach Modibo Diarra, a former NCAA Division I player, who asked Coach B to take over his elite girls’ team. That team became the beginning of what is now Surge Basketball.

Under Coach B’s leadership, Surge teams have competed throughout Canada, consistently challenging themselves against strong competition beyond their home province.

Coach B is particularly known for his ability to break down footwork, movement and body mechanics, helping athletes understand not only what to do on the court, but why and how to do it more effectively. His individualized approach to player development has helped countless athletes elevate their game, with numerous athletes going on to compete at the university level and beyond.

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

Meet Our Coaches 

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. 

Continuous Development

At Surge, we are dedicated to fostering growth and development among our coaches, empowering them to continuously learn and further enhance their skills and expertise. Recently, two of our coaches took part in Canada Basketball's prestigious Super Clinic in Toronto, ON.

Coach B also recently participated in Canada Basketball's NCCP Train to Compete course. The Train to Compete course is for coaches working with athletes at the competitive level who may be working toward or are pursuing university, college, or national team opportunities.

Interested in joining our coaching team?