Thrilling AAU Program In the Making: United Sports Academy

<div id="contentsContainer" class="style-scope qowt-page"> <div id="contents" class="style-scope qowt-page"> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-219487" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/10/50AlexisPingel.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /> This is the feature on the fifth, in a series of many, AAU programs in the state of Iowa. This AAU grassroots program is a relatively new, up and coming AAU organization that has the capability of becoming a top, well-known program across the Midwest and country in upcoming years to come. They are another program that is very well-rounded and has a good balance in terms of what they offer these young ballers. They are producing some talented players that have gone on to play college basketball at levels. This is the elite United Sports Academy AAU program. The mission statement of this AAU program is, “Providing high-quality training and competition opportunities to boys and girls youth in the Siouxland area." It’s critical to take note of the establishment that created the United Sports Academy AAU basketball program. That is the United Sports Academy. This academy establishes a foundation, “To create an opportunity, through athletics for the most positive role models and coaches to interact with the youth of Siouxland. Through this interaction, each player will develop a commitment to their individual passions. From this commitment the complete person, teammate, and athlete will emerge." It is very evident this academy is second to none in terms of what they want to get out of each athlete and what they are accomplishing. This surely carries over to the youth basketball program and produces the same sense of values. The elite United Sports Academy AAU program has basketball teams from 3rd-11th grade (pre-senior year) for both girls and boys. They are based in Sioux City, Iowa; however they also have another facility in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. This makes it very accessible for all families to get their kids to practices, training sessions, and tournaments depending on where they reside. This premier AAU program focuses on both the total player and person. They want the players to become better basketball players, give them the opportunities to display their talent and skill, compete in a winning environment, enhance fundamentals; but also strive on the importance of wanting them to develop and become strong individuals out in the world as they go through life. The girls teams travel to many tournaments across the country to play other top-notch competition, and have had a ton of success while competing against the best of the best. On their website, they have a Trophy Case page after you click on the Basketball Academy tab. This page displays postgame championship team pictures of several teams within the program that have come in first place and have brought home the hardware. The players in these photos are holding a trophy, or have a medal around their neck. This definitely shows that they know how to win and are creating an atmosphere of competitiveness, team values, and comradery that rubs off on each player. The United Sports Academy AAU organization digs deep into all facets of options that can make the youth basketball player an elite one. They offer many programs for these athletes to take their game to a whole new level, develop new skills, as well as to hone current skills. They hold regular skills sessions, camps, leagues; as well as an open gym program that provides a gym membership while having access to one of their facilities during set open gym days and times. The members can then participate in pickup games, or just shoot hoops on their own. All of these opportunities bring out the best in each basketball player, and can allow them to reach their full potential and perform to the best of their abilities. </div> </div> <div id="contentsContainer" class="style-scope qowt-page"> <div id="contents" class="style-scope qowt-page"> Sheila Adams, the Director of Girls Basketball, has an extremely wealthy and influential background in the game of basketball; and has done an outstanding job of overseeing the entire program. Taylor Vasa, the Girls Basketball Elite Program Director, displays a great basketball resume, and has also done a tremendous job managing the elite program; as well as assisting many elements of the girls basketball program. Malcolm Moon, the Girls Basketball Regional Program Director, also displays a solid basketball resume, and is the leader of the regional program; and also assists in many dimensions of the girls basketball program. These three coaches have very proficient experience and background in the game of basketball as both a player and coach. This does wonders for these girls basketball players, and there is a lot of instruction, skills, and tips that each athlete is developing day in and day out with these three leading the organization. There is no doubt each of these players are becoming better overall players each time they step into the gym. They have fantastic role models to look up to. The coaches also focus on the total person, and make it a priority for each player to thrive not only on the court, but off the court as well. Each United Sports Academy girls team will be igniting and instigating their stock this 2021 AAU season, as they will be traveling to tournaments in a variety of states over the course of these four months. All players will get that awesome opportunity of showcasing their talent and ability to college coaches, and will be competing against other great teams. They will be making their presence known, and will be surely bringing back home some hardware. A couple of female players to watch this 2021 AAU season within the program as we get going here into May with this spring/summer circuit are Kora Alesch (G, 2022), [player_tooltip player_id="63622" first="Emily" last="Dreckman"] (W, 2022), [player_tooltip player_id="129047" first="Alexis" last="Pingel"] (G, 2022), [player_tooltip player_id="127608" first="Riley" last="Batta"] (F, 2023) [player_tooltip player_id="246115" first="Maddie" last="Demke"] (G, 2024) and [player_tooltip player_id="246136" first="Alex" last="Flattery"] (F, 2024). This is a good variety of players of various positions and all graduation classes. They all are very talented, and have tremendous upside. Keep a close eye on these players as we move through this AAU circuit. There is no question that college coaches need to keep tabs on this AAU program, and need to watch their development in years to come. They are definitely a program with high-level players that can thrive at the college level. With all of their accolades, they are establishing a culture here of win, win, and win; which is what makes a good team an overall great team. They have the capability of breaking into the national scene in upcoming years. Please follow and keep up to date on games and tournaments of this AAU organization, as they produce some high-level players with a lot of natural talent, skill, basketball IQ and athleticism. Their website of their basketball program and academy can be found at <a id="E-2405" contenteditable="false" href="https://www.united-basketball.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.united-basketball.com/</a>, as well as <a id="E-2408" contenteditable="false" href="https://usportsacad.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://usportsacad.com/</a>. You can also follow the AAU program and academy on social media at: @unitedgirlsbb, @USportsAcad, and @ussportsacad. </div> </div>