It was our last tournament of the season – the Nike Tournament of Champions in Chicago. Six games in four days. We lost only once, in overtime, by a single point.
But what I’ll remember most isn’t the record. It’s the moment one of our players went down on the court, and the entire team ran to pick her up. It’s the sound of their laughter on the bench, the way they cheered for each other, the way they left the gym as friends – win or lose.
Our season started back in February and wrapped up in July. Week after week, tournament after tournament, these girls grew not just as players, but as teammates and leaders.
When I first started this team, I saw a problem that kept coming up in youth basketball. There were too many barriers to entry for too many kids. Most programs were built for players who had been training for years. That meant girls who hadn’t had that access were already behind.
Then there was the cost. The average AAU team costs between $1,200 and $2,400 just to join and that doesn’t include travel, hotels, meals, or tournament fees. Last year alone, we played in Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois most of our tournaments are outside Madison.
So we decided to do something different. We looked for girls who were athletic, who loved the game, and who just needed a chance. We built a program that removed as many barriers as possible, provided experience at top tournaments, invested in skill training, and created a true family environment.
And the result? Because our players and parents have bought in, we’ve become a competitive program. Last year, we finished with a record of 30–7. More importantly, we’ve seen these girls grow in confidence, leadership, and teamwork.
View this post on Instagram
Meet the Team
I want to take a moment to introduce you to the heart of this program – our players:
Amerie – Our true floor general. An elite ball handler with incredible court vision and a high basketball IQ. Amerie loves the game and is always looking to get her teammates involved. She’s the kind of point guard every coach dreams of leading with her voice, her vision, and her poise under pressure. Instagram: @amerie_crews_2
Ari – A certified student of the game. If she’s not in the gym, she’s thinking about basketball. Ari is quickly becoming a deadly three-point shooter and plays disruptive on-ball defense. Her length and work ethic give her a very bright future. Instagram: @arieddins10
Alyse – One of the quickest guards you’ll see in the Midwest. Alyse plays with passion and intensity every possession. I call her “Kobe,” and that should tell you all you need to know. She brings that killer instinct to every game, attacking the basket and locking up on defense. @alysewyaaa
Paige – Our versatile, 6-foot athlete who can do a little bit of everything. Her help defense is second to none, and she has the intangibles every coach loves. And when she crashes the boards or gets put-backs, she shifts the momentum of games.
Talia – A fierce competitor who dominates on both ends of the floor. Her superpower is her commitment — this summer alone she took over 25,000 shots. And as an 8th grader, she’s already one of the top scorers in her area’s high school league. Instagram: @talia.sanders5
Nyagol – A force of nature on the court, Nyagol’s athleticism and relentless motor make her a problem for every opponent we face. Playing at one speed – all out – is simply in her DNA. The younger sister of Nyajuacni Riak, one of the top recruits in the nation, she brings that same competitive fire every time she steps on the floor. And she fills the stat sheet with rebounds, steals, and hustle plays — the kind of plays that change games. Instagram: @ny.riak
Noelle – The ultimate multi-sport athlete: track, volleyball, basketball, and excels in them all. Noelle studies the game and often sees plays developing before they happen, making her a true difference-maker. She’s calm under pressure, often making the right play when the game is on the line. Instagram: @noelleeee_6
Nevaeh (“Vaeh”) – A shifty guard who joined us last year after playing with boys for several seasons. She’s fearless, thrives under pressure, and is automatic from three. Simply put: she’s a gamer. Instagram: @vahskii__
Wren – Our “second coach” on the floor. Wren plays lockdown defense, has a high basketball IQ, and rarely makes mistakes. She’s reliable, poised, and an absolute joy to coach.
Desy – The newest member of our squad and a major pickup.Des is a great shooter and scored 32 points in one of her last AAU games. With her shooting ability and energy, she’s quickly becoming one of the most dangerous scorers in the gym. Instagram: @desy_b_ballin
This team wouldn’t be what it is without the parents and families who show up every weekend, pack the cars, drive the miles, and cheer until they lose their voices. This journey is about more than wins and losses. It’s about shaping leaders for life. Every tournament, every practice, every late-night drive is an investment in who these girls are becoming, on and off the court. For that, I’m deeply grateful.
This team is proof of what happens when kids are given opportunity and community.
We also know the work isn’t done. To keep competing at a high level, we’ll keep traveling, keep training, and keep building this culture. And that takes resources. Every dollar we raise goes toward making sure no girl has to sit out because of cost. If you’d like to support what we’re building, we’d love to have you in our corner.
And if you’d like to keep up with our journey, highlights, and behind-the-scenes moments, follow us on Instagram @Madison365hoops. We’d love to share this story with you all season long.
Because this team is about more than basketball. It’s about showing what can happen when you remove barriers and believe in kids. It’s about proving that opportunity + effort = transformation. And we’re just getting started.
For more information or to support Madison365 Basketball, email [email protected].
