Basketball All-Star Games 2023

April 2023

 

Want to congratulate Lion Charlie Follis for his passion to see this event happen in 2023. The club’s 25th year of doing the event.

Lots of help to pull it off.

A huge thanks to Lion Scott for the help he provided at the entrance table. He would hand us money and say he needed so much back. Linda and Dawn pitched in and helped with the event.

Glad we didn’t do the snack bar. Somethings are just better left for others to do.

 

Big thanks for the raffle prizes that were donated.

The end tally for entrance was an indication the location was the best.

 

Okay… so I was a reluctant volunteer. I loathe sports. Prior to the event Lion Charlie mentioned that we had a writer in our midst. Uhhh… he was looking at me! I don’t know anything about interviewing coaches… remember I don’t like sports. I got home that day and thought, “oh no, I think he is serious”.

So, I racked my brain trying to figure out, first, how to get out of it, then how could I even pull it off. I couldn’t care less about stats; they mean nothing to me. And I wasn’t about to write all that stuff down and then try to come up with how that could even be comprehended.

Then I thought. Okay if I had a kid in sports (which I never did) what would I expect from a coach. I would want that coach to be level headed and not disillusion my kid into believing they could make it to the big leagues. 99.999% of kids would never be lucky to even get a scholarship. I would want a coach that believed, win or lose, it was how you played the game as a team. A coach that praised even the small wins. Someone that wouldn’t be little my kid for a failed shot or allow others to do it.

My solution was to come up with some thought-provoking questions. I passed them on to Charlie and he changed a few things, but mostly left it intact. With the 4 coaches’ answers, I walked away with a deeper appreciation for what they do and why they do it. I guess what makes the news is the horror stories of coaches and some crazy parents. But if all kids could gain from the mentorship of people like these 4 coaches throughout their school years it would definitely put them on a good path for their futures.

Below are the interviews:

Bill Elliott grew up in Yuba City, CA.

 

He attended college in Cal State University, Chico. With a degree in B.S. in Physical Education with a Minor in Mathematics.

 

Was a High School Mathematics Teacher (37 years) recently retired.

 

Bill has a wonderful wife, Geralyn Elliott (The Rock that Holds it all together). And 5 stepchildren, Colby, Crista, David, Ali, and Chad.

 

His long coaching career has spanned over 38 years Coaching Basketball (over 700 wins-all levels and 5 Section Titles with 11 NSCIF Finals, 12 State Tournaments with 2 Nor Cal Final 4’s, 1 yr. Baseball (WSL Champs), 35 yrs. Cross-Country and Track (WV/Anderson 60 Section Titles).  All these titles were accomplished during his 13 yrs. at West Valley, 2 yrs. at Anderson, and 23 yrs. at Foothill HS.

 

Bill’s primary coaching influence was HS and College Coach Kirk Freitas, Kevin Dolan (WV) and Ron Brown (Anderson).

 

His noteworthy coaching and impressive playing accomplishments are:

“Div. II All-American…. Coached HS for a total of 108 seasons (105 straight!). 1997 California State Coach of the Year (XC), 2014-2015 California State Honor Coach (Basketball and Track).  I’ve been lucky enough to have been a part of 2 Olympics (Athens 2004, Beijing 2008). Former high school athletes I’ve coached have been on 2 Olympic Teams, 1 World Championship Team, 1 Pan-Am Jr team, 1 Jr National Champion along with 2 State Champions and 16 All-Americans. Obviously, I’ve been around a lot of really great athletes and coaches in my tenure.” 

 

Bill was asked about hobbies and a few final thoughts:

I enjoy traveling, golf and relaxing when I catch a few moments.

 

My Coaches were my father figures in my life.  I’ve always tried to be there for my athletes and express how much I care about them.  I’m paying it Forward and I’m the luckiest guy in the world to have had an opportunity to make a difference in young people’s lives as my coaches were in my life!

 

Bill’s coaching philosophy: “The Will to Win means Nothing, without the Will to Prepare.”

 

It’s been an honor and a privilege to have this wonderful opportunity one last time.  Thank you, Lions Club…. you too are making a big difference in these young people’s lives!

 

–**–**–

Taylor Angley-Holman grew up in Redding, CA.

He went on to attend Shasta College (2013 – 2015), American River College (Sacramento, CA) (2015 – 2016), Christian Brothers University (Memphis, TN) (2016 – 2018), and National University (2018 – 2020).

Taylor’s studies were in Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus in Sports Management. Master’s Degree in Education.

His occupation today is a teacher at U-Prep, Head Basketball Coach at U-Prep, and Offensive Coordinator Football at U-Prep.

An impressive 5 years of coaching basketball. Shasta College Basketball Assistant Coach 2019. U-Prep Basketball Assistant Coach 2019 – 2021. U-Prep Basketball Head Coach 2021 – Present

Words from Taylor about who influenced him:

My primary coaching influence was my mother, Rochelle Angley. She has taught me a great deal about life through athletics. She coached for many years in the North State, and even started the Girls Volleyball, Basketball, and Softball programs at U-Prep.

Taylor’s noteworthy coaching and playing accomplishments:

-Lions All-Star Basketball Game Player (2013 – Enterprise High School)

-Lions All-Star Basketball Game Assistant Coach (2019 – University Prep)

-Northern Section Jr. High Basketball All-Star Game Head Coach (2019 – University Prep)

-2021 DIV NSCIF Football Section Champions – Assistant Coach (2021 – University Prep)

-2022 DIV NSCIF Basketball Section Champions – Head Coach (2022 – University Prep)

-Top of The State Basketball All-Star Game Head Coach (2022 – University Prep)

-Lions All-Star Football Game Assistant Coach (2022 – University Prep)

-2023 DIV NSCIF Basketball Section Champions – Head Coach (2023 – University Prep)

 

Taylor gave us some final thoughts:

 

Outside of basketball I enjoy traveling and playing golf. Last year, I traveled with my girlfriend, family, and friends to Napa, Ashland, San Diego, Pullman, WA, Los Angeles, Reno, NV, Sacramento, Las Vegas, NV, South Lake Tahoe, Lake Almanor, Berkeley, Boise, ID, Placerville, and Hawaii. I was also able to play golf at Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego, as well as Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course.

My goal as a coach is to help boys transition to young men. My late Grandfather, Jamie Angley, consistently preached the importance of “Enjoying the Journey” throughout his lifetime. With this in mind, I hope to pass along the importance of enjoying each and every moment to each athlete that I have the chance to work with.

To my family,

Thank you for your support throughout my entire life. I am forever grateful for each and every one of you. I know that Grandpa is looking down on our growing family with a proud smile.
Enjoy The Journey! Now, Forever, and Always…

 

–**–**–

Tarron Corder grew up in McArthur, CA and graduated from Fall River High School.

 

He attended Feather River College and received an AA degree.

 

Tarron played on the Men’s Basketball Team for 2 years.

 

Started Coaching JV Boys in 2005-06

Started Coaching Varsity Girls in 2016-17

Coached AAU Teams

 

Noteworthy accomplishments:

4 SCL League Championships, 3 Nor Cal State Championships Div 6, and I Div 5 Section Title and Nor Cal State Runner Up (2 of the Div 6 Nor Cal State Championships coached his daughter)

 

Primary coaching influence was Tarron’s father and previous coaches.

 

Tarron’s coaching philosophy.

“I believe in the power of defensive pressure and transitional offense.”

Teaching teenagers: “Trust and Believe in yourself and others.”

 

The personal interests:

 

Tarron is married to a lovely lady named Leslie. Has a daughter and Son in Law – Taylor and Chase Tollenaar and another daughter – Madison.

 

He works as a farmer. Besides his love for basketball, Tarron likes hunting and golfing.

 

–**–**–

Kent Cunningham grew up in East Wenatchee WA and Klamath Falls OR.

Attended College of the Siskiyous and Simpson University. Studies in Education and Psychology.

 

Started coaching basketball in 2015,2016 coached JV Boys basketball for Weed High school. 2018 Coached Sonora High School Freshman girls. 2018 Sonora Elementary 8^th grade girls. 2020 took over The Lady Cougs Basketball program at Weed High School.

 

Primary coaching influence:

 

“I have been fortunate to play for and work with some amazing coaches throughout my life that have influenced my coaching style and philosophy over the years. My assistant coaches Destinee Jones and Dallas Lane, and Weed High School Boys coaches Robert West, Jake West and Mike Carpine, have all provided great mentorship along the way.”

 

Noteworthy coaching accomplishments:

 

2023 Girls Basketball Section Champions, first time in school history. 2022,2023 regional championship runner ups.

 

Kent’s coaching philosophy in a single sentence.

 

“There are write board timeouts and there are get right timeouts.”

 

On teaching teenagers:

 

“I enjoy sharing teachable moments from the game of basketball and relating it too life. In basketball these young women must work hard, they will face adversity, they will make tough decisions, they will have to adapt, and they must be there for each other. All these things are true in life.”

 

A coach for life:

 

“I absolutely love coaching basketball, for me it goes way beyond the basketball season. When you play for me, you get a coach for life. I keep in contact with a lot of my former players on a weekly basis, building those relationships is way more important than the game.”

 

The personal interests:

 

Today Kent works as an Assistant Chief CAL FIRE Siskiyou Unit.

 

Married to his lovely wife Tara for 18 years. They have two children Gabe and Mia.

When not working or coaching, Kent enjoys being with family and friends.