Coaches
COACHING STAFF
Our coaching staff ranges from high school teachers and coaches to former pro and collegiate basketball players. We also allow “mentor” coaches, ages 15 and up, to work, shadowing our senior staff members. All of our staff members are positive role models for kids, teaching them the values and virtues of the game while making sure players receive individualized attention to detail in skill work and technique and in the live games.
Left to Right: Ayla Adams (current PE Teacher and A.D. for Holy Spirit Episcopal) is a specialist in early-childhood education. A former 3-sport Coach for Village School, now is a co-director of Hoops School Summer Camps, a coach and graphics artist for our Social Media; Quintina Young (past Faith West HS and current PE Teacher and Basketball Coach at Faith West); Greyson Buehler (former DBU Collegiate player and current MHS Teacher and Boys’ Basketball Coach; Elijah Melchiorre (former Hoops Schooler since age 7 years old, who played collegiately in Massachusetts); Tim Woods (Former HS player and current Teacher at Houston Christian HS); Rhett Cossey (former Stratford HS Basketball player and 5+ years coaching with us); Jack Irish (former MHS Baller and 4+ years coaching with Hoops School).
Left to Right: Coach Myles Smith (former TAMU Corpus Christi Men’s Bball District Champion and currently Heac Coach for us); Bryan Davis (former TAMU Baller, Overseas Pro and Head Coach at Hoops School now 3 years); Elijah Melchiorre (former Katy Taylor HS and Collegiate Basketballer) and Quintina Young (former HS, now PE Teacher and Coach at Faith West Christian Academy)
Christina Kurt
22+ Years of Basketball Experience
16 Years with Hoops School
Why Coach Christina works with us: Coach Christina wants to make a difference in the lives of kids today. She is a powerful motivator, a hard worker, and a role model for youth of all ages. Christina was privileged to work with privately with Coach Heidi starting in the fifth grade. She went on to play high school basketball at Faith West Academy in Katy and played on one of the premier AAU basketball teams (Texas Inferno), eventually earning a full scholarship to the University of Dallas. A career-ending concussion unfortunately caused the end of her playing career, but the sport has gained a fine coach who is mighty in heart and ability! Upon returning to Houston, Coach Christina began working with Hoops School and privately coaching many young, aspiring players willing to go the extra mile, as she did, to become their personal best. She currently coaches the sixth- through eighth-grade basketball teams at John Paul II Catholic School as well as directing Hoops School’s 3-on-3 league. She looks forward to eventually directing the expansion of Hoops School skills classes and 3-on-3 league beyond the West Houston area. In addition to coaching basketball, Christina works in Commercial and Farm/ Industrial Real Estate.
Ayla Adams
22+ Years of Basketball Experience
10+ Years with Hoops School
Former High School player, now PE Teacher and AD at Holy Spirit Episcopal and formerly a 3-sport Coach at The Village School. Ayla is amazing with kids of all ages, but particularly elementary and middle school aged ones. She knows how to keep order in the midst of chaos. She co-directs Summer Camp and handles all the CHECK-IN/ OUT processes (with poise and ease). She also our helps with some of our Social Media graphics.
Bryan Davis
27 Years of Basketball Experience
3+ Years with Hoops School
Bryan Davis played college ball for TAMU, College Station. He played 10 seasons overseas; and has coached privately and for other Basketall Academies before meeting us at Hoops School in 2021. He is a Head Coach, with much knowledge, wisdom, and a heart for and a special patience with kids of all ages. He is a “shepherd” of children, to lead them in the right ways, both on and off the court. By the way, he is 6′ 10″ tall, so has 5 inches on Coach Heidi! He recently became a daddy for the first time. He and his wife now have two beautiful children of their own.
Myles Smith
17+ Years of Basketball Experience
3+ Years with Hoops School
Myles is “Mr. Smiles” and a former District Champion Collegiate baller for TAMU Corpus Christi, TX. He formerly coached Boys’ High School Basketball at Frassati Catholic School in Spring, TX; and currently started working in medical sales.. He is gifted in knowing, playing, teaching and motivating kids of all ages. Despite a full time job, he also goes the extra mile to work with our kids!
Tim Woods
9 Years of Basketball Experience
5+ Years with Hoops School
Why Coach Tim works with us: Coach Tim loves adding to players’ basketball repertoire and brings his fierce competitive spirit, love for the game and integrity towards teammates and opponents. Before coming to Hoops School, Tim coached at Kingdom Basketball in Houston and JV/Varsity for Heritage Classical Christian Academy in St. Louis. He still plays recreational ball when he can get the time and plays mostly point or shooting guard. Tim and his wife now have 3 beautiful children, and he teaches full time at Houston Christian HS; so he only coaches Summer Camps with us at Hoops School.
“Q” (Quintina) Young
15+ Years of Basketball Experience
6+ Years with Hoops School
Why Coach Q works with us: Coach Q enjoys giving back to the kids and sharing her knowledge of basketball as well as her great passion for the game that comes from being a former player. She is a gifted, patient, and thorough coach. In addition to her many years of experience playing the game, Coach Q was also an assistant basketball coach at the University of Maine at Fort Kent for two years., as well as the head coach of JV Boys and assistant coach of Varsity Boys at Faith West Academy in Katy. She has coached the Girls’ JV Team at JPII; and currently works at Faith West Christian Academy as a PE Teacher and Coach.
Elijah Melchiorre
13+ Years of Basketball Experience
Used to be a “Hoops School student,” and now is a coach!
Why Coach Elijah works with us: Coach Elijah has a passion for coaching and teaching people about the game of basketball. He first learned techniques and skills from our coaching staff back when he was in 2nd grade. He then returned a few years ago as a mentor coach to teach younger kids how to play fundamental, smart basketball. He graduated from Katy Taylor High School (Varsity). He played Club/ AAU Basketball player for a “Select Team” and played collegiate ball for one season up in Massachusetts. He is a positive role model for young players and encourages them to mature emotionally and physically through this great game of Basketball. By now, Elijah is a seasoned Coach on Monday Night Skills Classes, Player Clinics and Summer Camps; as well as a strong and steady Ref/Coach in our 3 on 3 League (Thursday nights)..
Ethan White
10+ Years of Basketball Experience
Former High School player/ gifted with kids
Ethan is one of the most responsible, hard-working, former “teen coaches” (mentored by us before coaching a basket on his own). His gifts are particularly strong in teaching the fundamentals. He has lots of patience with kids. He is a reliable and gifted coach who has now even coached his own Team in Kingdom Basketball (2024-25). We are proud of the Coach he has become!
Nami Niktabe
9 Years of Basketball Experience
Used to be a “camper,” and now is a coach!
Nami moved here from out of state, and attended Hoops School since 2nd Grade. He thrived and worked hard, then took his game to the highest level (for his age): High School Team Basketball. He is on the Stratford HS boys’ Team. He, like all teenage coaches, started as a “mentee” under our Staff, and then graduated to Coaching his own basket of young players *1st-2nd Graders). He prefers to Ref in our 3 on 3 League, where he gets to “call the game” and coach the kids, correcting them when they make errors, but letting them play.