Making the Team

In this heartfelt interview, Making the Team host Erik Soderborg sits down with Coach Gus Sopeña, head coach of the Summit Academy boys basketball team, for an honest conversation about the emotional and mental challenges of coaching — and the deep rewards that come from helping young athletes reach their full potential.

Coach Sopeña opens up about:

The pressure and expectations coaches quietly carry

What it means to truly care about your players

How high school basketball shapes character beyond the court

The moments that make it all worth it — even when no one’s watching

Why building a strong team culture is more important than just winning games

📌 Whether you’re a coach, player, parent, or sports fan, this conversation is a reminder that coaching is about people first — and that some of the most meaningful victories happen off the scoreboard.

📌 Subscribe to Making the Team for more interviews with top athletes and coaches.

Be sure to check follow Summit Academy's journey on their Instagram page:

https://www.instagram.com/summitacademybasketball/

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⏰ TIME CODES ⏰

0:00 Intro Teaser

0:30 Getting into Coaching

8:52 Coaching Interview Process

22:23 From Assistant to Head Coach

23:55 The Bountiful Experience

33:00 The Life of a Coach

39:15 Mental Struggles of Coaches

40:45 Summit Academy Opportunity

47:00 Building a Winning Team

52:58 Balancing Coaching and Caring

1:02:27 Practice Plans

1:06:05 Conditioning Philosophy

1:11:05 Communication Between Players and Parents

#gussopena #basketballcoach #summitacademy #highschoolbasketball

In this inspiring interview, Erik Soderborg sits down with Coach Patrick Amico, the head coach of the Pine View High School Boys Basketball Team. Known for his leadership both on and off the court, Coach Amico shares how he's working to give his players more than just a basketball season — he’s giving them a high school experience they’ll never forget.

🏀 Topics covered include:

• How Coach Amico builds strong relationships with his players

• His coaching philosophy and why character matters as much as wins

• What it takes to lead a high school basketball program in today’s world

• Why giving kids a great high school experience is his #1 goal

• Behind-the-scenes stories from the Pine View basketball program

Follow the Pine View Program here: https://www.instagram.com/pineviewpantherbasketball/

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Chapters:

0:00 Intro

0:30 Successes of Last Season

4:00 What Coach is Learning

5:17 UVU Story

7:29 What Players Impress You

8:36 What Players Should Do Outside Practice

10:14 For Parents11:13 Coaching Staff

13:21 Accountability vs Relationships

14:47 Player Roles

15:55 Tryouts

17:06 Conditioning

17:44 Coaching Style

19:31 St. George Basketball Culture

21:19 Creativity vs Structure

22:48 Coaching in the Social Media Era

24:26 Mental Support for Players

25:53 Pre-High School Youth Programs

27:38 Referee Relationships

29:35 Assistant to Head Coach Shift

31:56 Life Outside Basketball

34:19 Balancing Everyone's Opinions

35:50 Fundraising

37:34 Helping Players Get To The Next Level

41:14 Go Where You Will Play

42:22 Coach's Legacy

43:39 Message For Pine View Parents

45:14 Hardest Part of Coaching

46:33 Best Part of Coaching

47:33 Advice to Seniors

#basketball #patrickamico #pineviewbasketball #pineviewhighschool #highschoolbasketball

Coach Jon Judkins share what he and his staff at Utah Tech look for when recruiting high school players to make their D1 Basketball team.

Coach Judkins is headed into his 21st season as the head coach of the Utah Tech Trailblazers Mens Basketball Team and is a Six-time Pacific West Conference Coach of the Year winner.

Coach Judkins (622 career wins and counting) became the first men’s coach in Utah collegiate basketball history to reach the 500-win mark back on January 28, 2017.

He then became the all-time winningest college coach in Utah history with career win No. 583 in 2021.

Prior to his arrival at Utah Tech, Jon was the head coach at Snow College for 13 seasons. In 2014, Judkins was inducted into the Snow College Athletic Hall of Fame.

Judkins played for one season at Dixie State (junior college) in the 1983-84 season before transferring to Utah State, where he became the first Aggie to post a triple-double. During the 1987-88 season, he helped lead the Aggies to the PCAA title and an NCAA Tournament bid.

🎙 Whether you’re a coach, player, or just love the game — this conversation is full of wisdom, stories, and Utah basketball history.

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Chapters:

0:00 Intro

0:40 Biggest Accomplishment

2:36 Division 1 Adjustments

4:07 Recruitment Process

5:04 How to Get Seen

7:45 Role of High School Coach in Recruiting

9:23 Role of Parents

11:41 The 4 P's

13:51 Jumps from HS to JUCO to D1

14:36 Coaching Philosophy

16:30 Impact of NIL and Transfer Portal

19:44 Conditioning for Players

25:04 Weightlifting

26:10 Multi-Sport Athletes

29:07 Jon's Playing Experience

31:02 Early Coaching Career

37:50 Working on Skill vs Games

38:57 Stomping Foot

40:40 Advice to High School Seniors

46:01 What Does it Take to Win

#basketball #judkins #jonjudkins #utahtech #utahtechbasketball

Chris Jones has been coaching for decades, with most of his time at the college level with the University of Utah, Utah State, and Westminster.

He also coached professionally in England and now coaches the Highland Rams high school team in Salt Lake City.

Highland made it to the state championship this last season and Coach Jones shares his experience and knowledge about the game of basketball, coaching, and the lessons that come from this beautiful game.

Coach Jones shares the hard truths and proud victories from a decades-long career that’s impacted generations of athletes.

🎙 Whether you’re a coach, player, or just love the game — this conversation is full of wisdom, stories, and Utah basketball history.

Be sure to check follow the Highland Rams Instagram page:

https://www.instagram.com/highlandramsbasketball/

Please consider following us on social:

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Chapters:

0:00 Intro

0:52 Passion to Teach

2:34 Accountability vs Relationships

6:48 Playing the "Right Way"

10:20 Coaching College vs High School

15:51 College Recruiting Process

17:00 Getting on Recruiters' Radar

20:22 Realities of Playing in College

24:15 Highlights of Last Season

30:15 Winning Mentality

33:43 Tell The Truth

40:50 What is Coach Learning Now

46:35 Moving to Coach High School

51:29 Excitement for This Year

54:45 Close Games or Blow Outs

56:43 Coaching Influences

59:27 Rick Majerus Story

1:05:56 Rylan Jones Story

1:20:57 How to Play More

1:22:51 Time Machine Advice

1:23:49 Highland Program Legacy

1:27:23 Thanks all around

#basketball #chrisjones

We sit down with Rylan Jones — one of the most decorated high school basketball players in Utah history.

A two-time Mr. Basketball, state champion, and on the Utah high school basketball record books.

Rylan shares the highs and lows of his incredible journey through high school, college, and now professional basketball.From starring at Olympus High School to competing at the University of Utah, Utah State, and Samford, Rylan breaks down the behind-the-scenes stories — including his final college season, where he nearly upset powerhouse Kansas in the NCAA Tournament.🎙 Topics covered:

Growing up in Utah basketball culture

Winning a state championship and breaking records

College hoops at three different programs

Playing on March Madness’s biggest stage

Advice for young players chasing their dream

If you’re a fan of Utah basketball, high school hoops, or inspiring sports stories, this is one you don’t want to miss.👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more interviews with top basketball talent.

Be sure to check follow Rylan's journey on his Instagram page:

https://www.instagram.com/rylanjones15/

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Chapters:

0:00 Intro

0:52 Coaches' Quotes

2:37 Playing the "Right" Way

5:36 Dad Coach Relationship

7:04 Getting Teammates to Play Better

9:10 What Should Kids Work On?

12:27 Calm, Competitive Mentality

13:52 Move From Logan to Olympus

16:30 Olympus Successes

20:42 Countering Scouting Reports

24:34 College Recruitment Process

27:55 University of Utah Experience

32:18 From the U to Utah State

37:30 Transfer Portal Experience

43:13 Samford Experience

48:12 Getting in Shape

49:48 NCAA Tournament Kansas Game

54:39 Next Play Mentality

57:48 Playing in Home Town

1:02:22 End of Season

1:03:53 Playing Professionally

1:06:08 The Future

1:09:00 Game Day Traditions

1:11:02 Outside Basketball

1:12:33 Staying Grounded

1:14:26 Advice to Freshman Self

1:16:01 Was it Worth It?

#basketball #rylanjones

Coach Landen Cummings just finished his first year at East High School in Salt Lake City and he talks about what he looks for in players, lessons he's learned so far, and what he looks forward to with his team in the upcoming year.

Landen lives basketball. Playing in college and coaching through AAU, as an assistant high school coach, and now a varsity head coach.

Be sure to check out the East High Basketball Instagram page:

https://www.instagram.com/easthighbasketball/

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Chapters:

0:00 Intro

0:25 Pressure of Past Successes

2:22 Successes From Last Year

6:00 Advice for 1st Year Coaches

9:11 Building a Culture

12:00 Balance of Discipline and Caring

14:46 Looking to This Year

18:02 Coach Cummings' Style

19:17 Tryouts

24:32 Participation of Bench Players

26:50 Message to Parents

31:02 Picking a Staff

38:40 AAU vs High School

43:03 Time Outside Basketball

44:55 Landen's GOAT

47:29 How Playing Experience Impacts Coaching Style

50:00 Coach's Legacy

#basketballcoach #basketball #coaching

Coach Steve Galley is a legendary coach in the state of Utah. He started at Olympus High School, was the head coach at West Jordan and spent most of his career at Riverton High School - the school's first head basketball coach.

He was also the coach of the Riverton team that knocked Erik's team out of the state tournament his senior year.

Coach Galley is now a podcaster and professional coach for high-performance athletes and their parents.

Coach Galley's Podcast: The Stop Parenting & Start Coaching Podcast:

https://www.youtube.com/@UC_x0vx8w5LP5VWjSXQzRW1A https://open.spotify.com/show/4a0hrAkcEcdUlvn6C47kuo

Coach Galley's Website:

https://createtransformbecome.com/

Coach Galley's LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-galley/

Please consider following us on social:

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CHAPTERS

0:00 Intro

0:30 Toughest team/player to prepare for

1:46 Greatest Player He's Coached

2:25 Time Machine to Year

16:28 How Coaching has Changed

9:07 Imposter Syndrome

10:40 Parent Interactions with Kids

12:23 The Scoreboard of Society

18:12 Approaching Parents as a Coach

26:12 Player Pushback

28:02 Good Teams vs Bad Teams

31:24 Structuring Practice

33:48 Support Team for Players

36:07 Balancing Coaching and Friendship

38:30 Better Questions for Players

44:12 Understanding vs Doing

45:48 How Coach got into Coaching

51:02 Advice for Newer Coaches

52:00 High School Coaches are Set Up to Fail

58:53 How to Handle Losing Seasons

1:01:18 Stop Parenting & Start Coaching

1:05:50 Coach Galley's Other Interests

1:08:00 Connecting with Coach Galley

#basketball #highschoolbasketball #stevegalley

Coach Brian Allfrey just completed his first year as the Copper Hills High School Boys Varsity Basketball Coach. While this is his first year as the Copper Hills head coach, Coach Allfrey has been coaching for decades, and is one of the most well-connected coaches in Utah. He shares the challenges of being a 1st year head coach, coaching a star talent like Isaiah Reiser, and building good young men on and off the court.Fun Fact: Coach Allfrey coached co-host Eric Bland when Eric was in High School. Be sure to check out the Copper Hills High Basketball Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/chhsbasketball/Please consider following us on social:https://www.youtube.com/@MakingTheTeamPodcast?sub_confirmation=1https://www.instagram.com/making_the_team/https://www.tiktok.com/@making.the.teamChapters:0:00 Intro1:04 Successes This Year2:03 First Year Observations4:33 Coaching Talent6:06 Learning From Others9:01 Coach Allfrey's Coaching Philosophy12:21 How Basketball Has Changed14:56 Coach vs Player15:50 What To Expect From Tryouts18:21 Coaching Your Own Kids19:37 Advice to 1st Year Coaches21:21 Picking a Staff23:15 Juggling Work and Coaching23:58 Dealing with Countless Opinions27:07 Life isn't Highlights28:45 Relationship with Officials31:20 Changing Coaching Style34:15 Developing Youth Programs37:07 Coaching and Family Pressures39:36 Developing College Players41:06 Advice for Parents of Players43:22 Practice Time46:39 Balancing Minutes and Conditioning51:43 Hopes for Copper Hills Program59:00 Scheme or Players1:00:56 Players or Coaches1:03:51 Message for Copper Hills Players and Parents#basketballcoach #basketball #coaching

Isaiah Reiser is entering his senior season as the point guard of the Copper Hills High School basketball team. He is set to become the all-time leading scorer in Copper Hills school history and shares his mindset, work ethic, and goals for his basketball career.

Isaiah's IG:

https://www.instagram.com/isaiah.reiser/

Special thank you to DMCreative Films for the awesome highlight videos.

Give him a follow: https://www.instagram.com/dmcreat1ve_/

Be sure to check out the Copper Hills High Basketball Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/chhsbasketball/

Please consider following us on social:

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Chapters:

0:00 Highlight Intro

0:49 1000 Point Mark

2:00 Balancing Scoring and Teammates

2:46 Youth Basketball

3:50 Family Influence

4:37 Other Sports

5:12 Isaiah's Strengths

6:56 Dealing with Pressure

8:30 Struggle with Perfectionism

9:55 Favorite Move

10:15 Preparing for Other Teams

11:40 Teammates

13:10 Upcoming Team

13:42 Not Overlooking Teams

14:30 Region Rivals

15:12 Game Day Traditions

17:20 Emotional Style

18:20 Favorite Shoes

20:05 Playing for Coach Allfrey

21:12 Building Team Chemistry

22:24 Realities of High School Basketball

25:45 Work Outside Practice

26:56 Best Player Isaiah's Played Against

27:37 Favorite Off-Court Moments

28:05 Instagram Question

29:17 Where Isaiah Wants to Improve

30:48 Isaiah's Future

31:38 Isaiah Outside Sports

32:03 Advice to Freshmen

#isaiahreiser #copperhillsbasketball #highschoolbasketball #basketballtraining #podcast #basketballplayer

35-Year Basketball Official reveals the realities of high school officiating.

For any athlete, coach, or parent, this information is a must-watch to better understand how to work with referees, even if you disagree with calls. Turns out, most people don't actually know basketball rules, and your fiery taunting of referees is not helping, but hurting your team.

Special thanks to Bret Kinghorn for being willing to answer the tough questions and provide these valuable insights.

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Chapters

0:00 Teaser

0:55 Getting Started in Officiating

2:30 How to Become a High School Ref

6:05 How Referees are Evaluated

9:54 How to Talk to Referees

12:32 Are Make Up Calls Real?

13:48 What is a Charge?

15:07 How to Handle Missed Calls

18:04 Players Talking to Referees

19:20 Parents Talking to Referees

21:15 Throwing a Parent Out

22:41 Trigger for a Technical

23:55 Personal Relationships with Coaches

25:31 Humanizing Officials, Coaches, and Players

27:50 Game Preferences

28:25 What Makes a Good Coach or Player?

30:02 Do Officials Know Good Players?

33:05 Flopping Rule

35:10 What is a Travel?

39:55 Rules that Aren't Rules

41:58 The Art of the Call vs By The Book

44:55 Rivalry Games

48:10 Not Working Games with Certain Coaches

50:03 Worst Thing a Parent Has Said

52:32 Funny Parent Stories

56:00 Referee Shoes and Uniform

59:06 Clothing Mishap Story

1:00:52 Handling Injuries

1:03:22 Throwing a Jump Ball

1:03:54 Over and Back Rule

1:04:32 Equality is NOT the Job

1:06:52 Player Trash Talk

1:08:30 Does Arguing with Refs Help?

1:10:37 Official Shortage

1:13:24 Greatest Athletes He's Officiated

1:17:15 Bothered By Missed Calls

1:18:00 Why Referee?