About Me

Playing the Game

Hi! My name is Claudia.

Basketball has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember.

I started playing the game when I was 12 (which is pretty late by today's standards), but back in the '70s there weren't a whole lot of opportunities for girls to play little league basketball.

My career began when I made my 7th grade basketball team, and it didn't take me long to fall in love with the game!

Who knew how my life would be forever impacted as a result of that fateful tryout.

In high school in New Mexico, I was blessed to be a member of one of the best high school girls' basketball teams in the country.

I also got to play for Coach Don Flanagan, one of the greatest coaches to ever coach the game.

Coach taught me the importance of fundamentals.

He instilled in me a desire to work hard, and to do the little things right.

He prepared me for a successful college career, and I was even able to give one of the early pro women's leagues a short run.

Coaching the Game

My coaching career began shortly after college at a small private school where I worked with kindergartners through 8th graders.

As any first year coach or teacher will tell you, I learned a lot those first few years!

As much as I loved coaching the little ones, I had a great opportunity to move into the college ranks where I spent 10 years at the junior college, NCAA II, and NCAA I levels.

No matter what level, my favorite part of coaching has always been working with players 1-on-1 on their fundamental skills. It's fun to see how players of all ages can improve when they focus on the basics.

I think that's why I love working with kids so much. They're like little sponges, soaking in everything they're taught. And they're so eager to do things right.

There's nothing better for a coach than to watch a player perform a new skill successfully and see the big smile on her face when she knows she did good!

It doesn't get any better than that!

Becoming a Parent

Life has a funny way of surprising you...

I became a parent unexpectedly at the age of 41 to a beautiful 5-year-old little girl. 

My late entry into parenthood turned out to be quite a blessing. I found I was able to approach this parenting thing from a much more stable, calm place than I would have years before.

It also has given me an interesting perspective at youth sporting events.

I'm usually the oldest parent at my daughter's games, and as a result, I typically see things a little differently than many of the other parents.

I basically grew up in a different generation, and I had very different playing experiences and expectations as a child than they did.

Creating This Site

I know the blessing I've had spending time on the basketball court (tennis court, soccer field, softball field, ski slopes, etc.) with my daughter. We love playing sports of all kinds, and I can't think of a better way to spend time together!

That's one of the reasons for this site.

Life is so hectic these days. We allow our days to be consumed by the everyday busyness of life, and we forget to play with our kids. Days turn into weeks; weeks turn into months; months turn into years; and before you know it, our children our grown.

Kids love to play!

It's what they do best, and they want their parents to play with them. It disheartens me to see parents who don't ever find the time to throw on a pair of tennis shoes and shorts and play ball with their kids.

Maybe part of the problem is you don't know a thing about basketball.

Well, that's where this site comes in!

I'm hoping it can give you enough tools to start somewhere. You and your child can learn how to play basketball together.

I guarantee you'll have a lot of fun in the process!

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