Rebekah Beard "The Real Deal Coach & Mentor"

Rebekah Beard is truly one of Hoop Hunter Basketball's most outstanding young talented coaches. She currently coaches our 2011 7th grade girls off-season club basketball team. She's a natural leader. Rebekah prepares well for practices and games. She has a very unique way of getting through to young players. Because of her extensive basketball experience working with kids in the inner city, she has developed the enormous ability to impact the lives of young ladies in a positive and creative way. And to top it off, she's a Christ follower and not ashamed of it.

Hoop Hunter Basketball would like to recognize Rebekah for her outstanding contribution to kids and communities throughout the country. Rebekah currently coaches in Southlake, Texas.

She's A Special Hoop Hunter

C-A-R-A S-C-Z-E-P-A-N-S-K-I

(Cara Sczepanski)

Is the proud daughter of Bill and Carolyn Sczepanski and she has a very special brother that she loves and his name is Cain.

Cara began her athletic career as a kid and then found her way to Hoop Hunter Basketball when she was in the 6th grade. As a kid Cara always showed a liking for instruction. She was a student of the game from day one. Although she played basketball as an undersized 5'9 low post player, most people don't know that she's an above average 3 point shooter as well.

She's funny, quiet at times, smart, intelligent, focused, driven, responsible, articulate, friendly, goal oriented, Christ-follower, has a heart for special needs children and well educated.

Cara attended Marcus High School where she played a key role in the success of the program. She played varsity as a sophmore and later became the leader by example throughout her high school career. Some of her achievements in high school includes; McDonald's All-American Team (nominee), TGCA All-State (2006-2007), TABC All-Area, District Player of the Year (2006 & 2007), All-time leading scorer (1,561 points) for Marcus High School, TGCA All-State-Academic and TABC All-State-Academic.

As a young player, she played a lot of AAU summer basketball. She was very committed to personal growth and development in other areas of her life outside of basketball. She's has devoted her life to being a Christ-follower. As a young player, I can remember several moments when she was being challenged to be her very best that she would tear up because she felt that she wasn't measuring up to standards that had been established. She would always say," whatever you do, don't take it easy on me."

"In our organization, we believe that easy streets leads to dead ends, therefore we are always striving to help kids succed beyond their expectations even if the pain that comes from working hard leads to gains in other areas of their lives."

After graduating high school Cara chose to stay close to home and attend The University of Dallas to continue her eduation and love for game of basketball.

During her Freshman year (2007-08), she played 27 games for Dallas, averaging 16.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game. Some of her accolades for her first season included the 2007-08 AD3I First Team and Top 75 in scoring and field goal percentage in NCAA DIII. Letter winner.

During her Sophmore year (2008-09), she increased her production by averaging 18.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.8 steals per game. She was also named MVP, 2008-09 by the North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC), All -Conference Second Team, 2008-09 AD3I First Team and was Top 50 in scoring in NCAA DIII. Letter winner.

During her Junior year (2009-10), she averaged 18.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 2.2 steals per game. She was again named as the MVP and earned 2009-10 NEAC All-Conference Second Team Honors, AD3I All-Independent First Team/Player of the Year and earned United States Collegiate Athletic Association All-American Honors. Letter winner.

She's currently in her senior year (2010-11) and is averaging 17 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. For her career at The University of Dallas, she's averaging 17.8 points and 7.8 rebounds in 100 games. Way to go Cara!

The Records She Currently Holds are Listed Below:

Rebounds in a season: 270 (2009-10)

Games played in a season: 28 (2009-10); tied

Career field goals: 627

Career field goal percentage: 46.1

Career free throws: 513

Career points: 1,776

Cara's career goal is to become an optometrist!

Hoop Hunter Basketball would like to solute Cara for here many efforts on the basketball court and in the classroom. Keep up the good work.

Deon Hunter-President

Hoop Hunter Inc.

http://www.hoophunter.com/

Winning & Losing

"Before winning can become a culture, losing must become a bitter taste that a team decides they don't want to define them."

In youth sports, losing can become a habit if those who are playing the game don't recognize the importance of being properly prepared for competition. Too often young players don't realize the importance of team work, communication, offensive and defensive team execution and carrying out the coaches game plan. Without a plan, teams fail. And when teams have a plan but chooses not to follow the plan, they fail.

Players must agree to work together in a harmonious way meanwhile respecting each others differences. And together with prayer, faith, determination and teamwork, they can develop a tradition of winning versus losing. No one wants to be a loser!

"Quality Time Well Spent by Two Fathers"

For the last 8 years both Clint and Willis have been involved with Hoop Hunter Basketball. Both men are rich in spirit and they love the lord. No matter how difficult of a work schedule they have, you can always count on them being involved in the affairs of their kids. Both have son's who have either graduated college, attending college or is preparing for college. And the top it off the boys are interested in the medical and engineering field. This speaks volumes as to what education means to both families.

Both Clint and Willis are good friends, they once lived in the same neighborhood when the boys were little. They both still enjoy playing pick-up basketball. Willis even enjoys coaching a little during the off-season to help his son's high school program.

Throughout the years, I have witnessed both men spend countless hours mentoring their son's as well as their son's friends. Both men have wonderful wives who have been equally involved in raising their 3 son's.

"Hat's off to Clint and Willis for being good fathers, role models, mentors and for spending quality time with their kids".

About Last Night! What a Game!

Last night, I got a chance to attend the Whataburger High School Basketball Tournament. I rarely get many opportunities to watch high school basketball games during the early part of the season because many times I'm training younger players and getting them ready to play. But for me, last night was different. And if I had it to do all over again, I wouldn't miss it for the world. What a Game!

During the early part of the night as I walked into the gym, I noticed several current and former players getting ready to play with their high school teams. As I spoke with them and looked into several of their eyes, I noticed that we both had a look of "mutual respect" for one another in addition to high expectations.

About last night. As I sat and watched the games and ate my bag of popcorn, a parent came by to say hello. Let's call her Jane for this story. After Jane came over she took a seat and began the conversation by asking about Hoop Hunter Basketball and my family. For me, that was a healthy way to began our conversation. I began to explain to Jane that I'm seeing a record number of lives being impacted and changed by our commitment to training kids in a God pleasing way. "My recipe for reaching kids has always began by developing trust and "mutual respect" for one another". This is my purpose in life!

While speaking to Jane, our conversation moved from business and family to the word of God.

Finally, she mentioned how my personal walk with the lord has always been an inspiration to her children and her entire family. She later told me that she wants to know fully what God 's purpose is for her life. And that's the end of the story.

The next time you attend a game, social event, grocery store, shopping, personal or group workout, don't be surprised if you are being led there to be a witness to your brother or sister in Christ.

About last night. What a game!

Coaches & Teachers Bare Responsibilities To Teach!

As you know, basketball is a game of learned skills, athleticism and talent combined with discipline, creativity, respect for others, team work, healthy contagious attitudes, competitive energy,respect for authority and personal responsibility.

In order for players to compete at a competitive level, players must continue to devote quality time towards understanding the fullness of the game. Players must be able to dribble, pass, shoot, rebound, play defense, set screens, run the floor, hustle, have good practice habits, compete, play as a team, respect their coaches and how they wants them to play, respect the rules of the game, respect the differences of their teammates and last be a good person on and off the court.

The best time to invest in a player's future is when he/she is young. The bible says, "Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he won't depart from their teaching" Proverbs 2:6.

Throughout my 21 years of experience serving kids, families and communities, I continue to see kids with gifts and talents that are under developed. It's almost like growing up with a false since of identity. I believe that we owe it to the kids as well as to the Lord to make sure that they are fully educated and equipped with what they need without compromising their future.

When players are fully educated and learn to play the game, they tend to feel better about themselves, they do better in school, interact better with parents, teachers, coaches, communicate better, smile more often, attract better friends and are more self confident.

Success in the game of basketball involves a tremendous amount of teaching and learning. As coaches and teachers we must continue to provide young players with the available resources that will undoubtedly foster their learning needs and help them grow. Without the necessary tools for learning, kids fail!

In closing, as children become more interested in playing basketball, education and learning about faith, let's work together and give them the best opportunity for success that we can by fully teaching them the things that will make them complete. Let's train them while they're young and interested. As kids get older, let's encourage them to seek advanced training so that they too can someday develop to their fullest potential.

Please partner with me as an advocate for kids success in the classroom, on the field, on the court and in their walk of faith. And remember; "Success in life involves being fully trained."

"Coaches & teachers we bare a tremendous responsibility to teach the kids regardless of their learning styles and disabilites."

Deon Hunter

Hoop Hunter Travels to Santo, Texas

During the late part of the 2010 summer, Hoop Hunter Basketball trainers and coaches travelled to Santo, Texas to conduct a middle and high school girls basketball camp. "It felt good getting out of our normal routine and working with the young ladies out in Santo."

Throughout the week, the gym was filled with eager to learn, hard working, team oriented, well-disciplined players. And to top it off the hospitality that we received from the parents was "off the chain". We were treated just like family all week long. Coach Raffaele has done a tremendous job throughout the years of developing a successful girls basketball program. Although they're young, there's a lot of hard working high school girls hoping for a chance to someday make their dreams come true and hopefully get to Austin.

As a result, Hoop Hunter Basketball has adopted Santo Girls High School Basketball Program as our program of choice for upcoming 2010-2011 basketball season. We wish the city of Santo, Coach Raffaele and the girls basketball program the best of luck!

"Go Get Em"