Desert Vista coach likes helping kids

**Anilrgowda** · 08-Dec-2006, 10:19 AM

Desert Vista coach likes helping kids

Don Ketchum
The Arizona Republic
Dec. 8, 2006 12:00 AM

The girls on Desert Vista's basketball team are learning how to play the transition game.

They are playing under their third head coach in three years.

First it was Henry Bribiescas. Then it was Adrian Boyarsky. Now it is Willie Young."It takes a little while to get used to what each coach prefers, but we're doing a lot better now. I think we've bonded together more than we did last year," said Kim Randall, a 5-foot-8 junior guard.

Young is not a complete stranger to the players. He is familiar with many of them from his days as an AAU coach. He also is no stranger to success. He was the girls head coach at South Mountain the last two seasons and led the team to the Class 5A Division II semifinals last season.

"I wish South well. They are capable of winning a championship. But we are developing a good team here, too," said Young, a juvenile-probation officer for Maricopa County.

Desert Vista is a young team. All but two of its players are underclassmen.

"We want them to be as consistent as possible, trust in their teammates and stay together. They need to believe in themselves and if they do that, they have a chance to be great," Young said.

"We have very talented kids, very athletic kids."

Coaching basketball is a welcome change for Young.

"As a probation officer for 23 years, I have dealt with kids' struggles every day, all day," he said. "These kids (players) struggle at times, too, but it is different. They can do more things for themselves. Each job has its share of rewards. In the end, I'm helping the kids."

Desert Vista began with wins over Mesquite, Salpointe Catholic and Hamilton.

The schedule got even tougher this week with games against Bribiescas-coached Mesa Mountain View on Tuesday (a 65-43 MV win) and defending Class 5A Division I champion St. Mary's tonight. Xavier, coached by former Phoenix Mercury player Jennifer Gillom, awaits next Tuesday.

"It's always a measuring stick, going against those teams, if you want to be an elite program and play at that level," Young said.

Another key player for Young is 6-foot junior Alexis Gannis, who started a few games late in her freshman season and was a full-time starter last season.

"We're playing more as a team. We have a chance to go a long way," she said.

She has played for the Arizona Elite club team for a long time and has worked to refine all aspects of her game.

"I think I can play every position, and that only helps the team more," she said. "We have a balanced team, but we're a running team and that also means defense first."

Said Young: "If you defend and rebound, get the ball out in transition, the more possessions you're going to have and the more opportunities you're going to have to score."

Randall said the season-opening victory over Mesquite "was a good test of our ability. We are anxious to show what we can do."

Randall and Gannis are being called upon to provide more of a leadership role. Randall said she is ready to meet that challenge.

"I want to be vocal," she said. "I try to give 110 percent. How you practice is how you play. We want to be good at both."

Others expected to play significant roles are Laurene Andrews, Kali Potter, Amariell Ramsey, Patricia Bright, Keisha Colter, Stephanie Colter and Rahnae Spooner.

08-Dec-2006, 10:19 AM	#1 (permalink)
Anilrgowda Administrator Posts: 18,715 Join Date: Jan 2006 Rep Power: 10 IM:	Desert Vista coach likes helping kids Desert Vista coach likes helping kids Don Ketchum The Arizona Republic Dec. 8, 2006 12:00 AM The girls on Desert Vista's basketball team are learning how to play the transition game. They are playing under their third head coach in three years. First it was Henry Bribiescas. Then it was Adrian Boyarsky. Now it is Willie Young."It takes a little while to get used to what each coach prefers, but we're doing a lot better now. I think we've bonded together more than we did last year," said Kim Randall, a 5-foot-8 junior guard. Young is not a complete stranger to the players. He is familiar with many of them from his days as an AAU coach. He also is no stranger to success. He was the girls head coach at South Mountain the last two seasons and led the team to the Class 5A Division II semifinals last season. "I wish South well. They are capable of winning a championship. But we are developing a good team here, too," said Young, a juvenile-probation officer for Maricopa County. Desert Vista is a young team. All but two of its players are underclassmen. "We want them to be as consistent as possible, trust in their teammates and stay together. They need to believe in themselves and if they do that, they have a chance to be great," Young said. "We have very talented kids, very athletic kids." Coaching basketball is a welcome change for Young. "As a probation officer for 23 years, I have dealt with kids' struggles every day, all day," he said. "These kids (players) struggle at times, too, but it is different. They can do more things for themselves. Each job has its share of rewards. In the end, I'm helping the kids." Desert Vista began with wins over Mesquite, Salpointe Catholic and Hamilton. The schedule got even tougher this week with games against Bribiescas-coached Mesa Mountain View on Tuesday (a 65-43 MV win) and defending Class 5A Division I champion St. Mary's tonight. Xavier, coached by former Phoenix Mercury player Jennifer Gillom, awaits next Tuesday. "It's always a measuring stick, going against those teams, if you want to be an elite program and play at that level," Young said. Another key player for Young is 6-foot junior Alexis Gannis, who started a few games late in her freshman season and was a full-time starter last season. "We're playing more as a team. We have a chance to go a long way," she said. She has played for the Arizona Elite club team for a long time and has worked to refine all aspects of her game. "I think I can play every position, and that only helps the team more," she said. "We have a balanced team, but we're a running team and that also means defense first." Said Young: "If you defend and rebound, get the ball out in transition, the more possessions you're going to have and the more opportunities you're going to have to score." Randall said the season-opening victory over Mesquite "was a good test of our ability. We are anxious to show what we can do." Randall and Gannis are being called upon to provide more of a leadership role. Randall said she is ready to meet that challenge. "I want to be vocal," she said. "I try to give 110 percent. How you practice is how you play. We want to be good at both." Others expected to play significant roles are Laurene Andrews, Kali Potter, Amariell Ramsey, Patricia Bright, Keisha Colter, Stephanie Colter and Rahnae Spooner.

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