Making the Team

Ike Palmer is a 6'6" wind currently playing at Utah State Eastern. In his freshman season, he averaged 17 points per game and is a force to be reckoned with.

Ike had a stellar high school career at Herriman High School and currently holds several school records, including scoring 39 points in a game.

Ike shares his perspective on the transition from high school to college athletics.

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Chapters:

0:00 Highlight Reel

0:35 High School vs College

1:32 Workout Routines

1:58 College Practices

2:41 College Recruitment Process

4:28 Being a Scorer

5:41 Ike's Stats

7:24 Helping Former Teammates

7:53 Different Coaches

9:00 Family Influences

10:10 Mentality from Rookie to Veteran

11:28 College Game Day & Travel

12:29 Advice to Freshman Self

12:51 Best Players Ike's Played Against

14:04 High Intensity Environments

15:01 Basketball Shoes

15:29 Favorite Basketball

16:11 Work in the Offseason

16:27 Utah Top 50

17:50 Biggest Jumps as a Player

18:39 Memorable Plays

19:14 Basketball Terminology

20:04 Signature Move

21:05 Advice to Younger Players

21:43 Dealing with Failure

22:30 Advice to Parents

It's easy to give in to self-doubt and the urge to quit, especially when facing challenges. But by focusing on mental strength and grit, you can learn to believe in yourself and push through those tough times.

Lance Gummersall is entering his 19th season as a coach. It will be his 2nd year as the Riverton Head Basketball Coach and he shares the challenges and struggles of building a program from year one.

Lance shares how a competitive drive and will to win is impossible to ignore, but the life lessons for the kids are most important.

Special thank you to Jackson Bilawa for the great coaching videos and pictures.

Be sure to check out the Riverton High Basketball Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/rivertonhoops/

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Chapters:

0:00 Intro

0:26 Our Town

1:14 Positive Memories

3:40 Player Sentiments

4:59 Balancing Competitiveness

9:02 Tryout Experience

11:21 How to Stand Out as a Player

13:24 Building Youth Programs

18:50 Players Transferring

19:31 Coaching Mentors

24:04 Scheming with the Team

25:36 Picking a Staff

28:40 Relationship with Referees

31:05 Playing Underclassmen

33:26 What Separates Great Players

35:14 Why Does Lance Coach?

38:53 Toughest Years

44:25 Sneaker-head

45:51 Designing Gear

47:58 Filtering Everyone's Opinions

51:57 Game Day Decisions

54:45 Team Shoes?

55:32 Wrapping Up

#basketball #highschoolbasketball #coach #coaching #podcast

Bryker Couser is a vocal senior team captain of the Davis Darts.

They are fresh off their 2025 Utah 6A State Championship and Bryker made some crucial plays down the stretch to put the game away for his team. Bryker talks about accepting his role on the team, being ready for big moments, and his future.

Special thank you to Red Petal Media and Isaac Fisher SportsPhotos for the insanely awesome highlight videos and pictures.

Be sure to check out the Davis High Basketball Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/davishighbasketball/

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Chapters:

0:00 Highlight Reel

1:01 Recap of Bryker's Dagger 3

4:06 State Championship Environment

5:58 Bryker's Role

9:13 Bryker's Youth

9:56 High School Work

11:20 Pressure

12:15 Fear of Failure

13:27 Finality of High School1

4:44 Coach Sims

16:22 Assistant Coaches

18:07 Questions from Instagram

23:00 Relationship with Teammates

24:00 Game Day Traditions

27:29 Realities of High School

29:32 Future Plans

30:03 Was it Worth It?

31:18 Advice to Freshmen

#basketball #highschoolbasketball #basketballtraining #podcast #basketballplayer

Coleman Atwater is one of Utah's top basketball players.

He is a prolific scorer, and the senior leader of the State Championship Davis Darts. He led the state in 3 pointers and was the 2nd leading scorer in 6A.

Coleman is a serious athlete, but he's also brilliant, earning academic all state honors. He has devoted a lot of time and energy to becoming the player and young man he is. We hope you enjoy his insights.

Special thank you to Red Petal Media and Isaac Fisher SportsPhotos for the insanely awesome highlight videos and pictures.

Be sure to check out the Davis High Basketball Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/davishighbasketball/

Please consider following us on social:

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Chapters:

0:00 Introduction

1:30 Recap of this Season

3:51 Coleman's Role

5:01 Dealing with Defensive Attention

6:58 Battles with Opinions

9:42 Whose Opinion Matters

11:55 Coleman's Work Ethic

16:25 Signature Spin Move

18:28 Becoming a State Champ

21:17 Playing for Coach Sims

24:57 Game Day Traditions

28:35 Coleman's Teammates

30:09 Favorite Shoes

32:35 Off the Court Passions

34:22 Questions from Instagram

37:32 All Star Game

39:14 More Qs from Instagram

43:38 Becoming him

46:36 Advice to Freshmen

Bennett Wright is a Senior Team Captain for the 2025 6A State Champion - Davis Darts. Bennett shares his basketball story and how accepting his role to make the team better meant putting aside some personal glory to achieve success for the entire team. We are grateful to have him on the show and hope you enjoy his perspective. Be sure to check out the Davis High Basketball Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/davishighbasketball/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 Bennett's Highlight Intro0:46 Recap of this Year4:05 Kumbaya Moments & Communication6:04 Bennett's Youth7:22 Bennett's Love of Basketball7:53 Winning the State Championship9:19 Bennett's Playing Style9:52 Bennett's Favorite Players10:18 Game Day Traditions11:43 Favorite Shoes12:28 Team Captain Roles13:30 Playing for Coach Sims14:08 Teammates14:35 Fighting Perfectionism15:09 Off the Court Life15:43 High School Basketball Experience17:30 Questions from Instagram19:13 Advice to Self#basketball #davishighschool #utahbasketball

Croydon Christensen is a 6’6” Senior Team Captain for the 2025 6A State Champion - Davis Darts. He is a foundational piece to this team and their success.

Croydon shares his thoughts on the season and how he has managed to successfully navigate the stresses and pressures of high school life, all while being an incredible, two-sport athlete with basketball and baseball. We are grateful to have him on the show and hope you enjoy his perspective.

Be sure to check out the Davis High Basketball Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/davishighbasketball/

Please consider following us on social:

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Chapters:

0:00 Croydon Highlight Intro

0:55 Recap of this Year

2:30 Croydon's Youth

6:18 Trying Out as Freshman

7:19 Defining Role on Team

9:38 Two Sport Athlete

11:23 Talking Baseball

12:46 Dealing with Pressure

15:18 Croydon's Teammates

17:20 Questions from Instagram

18:46 Croydon outside sports

19:39 Croydon's Future Plans

20:48 Role as Team Captain

21:30 Balancing Opinions

22:55 Game Day Traditions

25:45 Coach Sims

27:37 Memories to Remember

28:44 Advice to Self

#basketball #davishighschool #utahbasketball

Luke Owen is the Varsity Team Captain of the 2-time State Champion Olympus Titans in Salt Lake City, Utah.Luke's character, toughness, and work ethic propelled him into a starring role for his senior season at the basketball powerhouse - Olympus High. Luke is a great basketball player and a solid young man. We hope you enjoy this interview with Luke Owen and learn something from his experience. Luke's Accolades:• 2024/25 2nd Team All State• 2024 & 2025 State Championships• Team CaptainPlease 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.teamCHAPTERS0:00 Luke Intro0:40 Recap of the year1:32 Taking more responsibility2:44 Dealing with pressure4:14 Growing up as a kid6:13 Growing into high school role8:42 Role Models9:18 Different Arenas10:11 Biggest rival11:26 State Championship Behind the Scenes12:14 Playing for Coach Barnes14:27 Sneakerheads talk shoes15:58 Game Day Traditions18:04 Playing Style18:52 Mission Call19:15 Luke's Best Shot20:45 Family Legacy21:08 Luke's Teammates23:20 Luke's Stats24:12 Realities of High School26:03 Looking back on High School27:11 Luke off the court27:26 All Star Game28:57 Favorite NBA & College players29:55 Questions from Instagram33:12 Siblings and family35:04 Parting Advice#basketball #highschoolbasketball #lukeowen #olympusbasketball

Gavin Lowe is Utah's Mr. Basketball after his incredible 2024/2025 season. In his junior year, he led the Olympus Titans to back-to-back state championships. Gavin is a tenacious, relentless player who's toughness and aggression cause chaos for other teams. He is backed by some incredible teammates and a legendary coach in Matt Barnes. We hope you enjoy this interview with Gavin and learn something from his mindset. Gavin's Accolades:• 2024/25 MaxPreps Player of the Year• 2024/25 Utah's Mr. Basketball• 2024 & 2025 State Championships• 1st team All StatePlease 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.teamCHAPTERS0:00 Gavin Intro1:02 Expectations for the year2:02 Losing Stars from last year3:28 Goals for 20263:53 Preparing for the target5:11 Gavin's work ethic7:53 Balancing Life8:58 Gavin's Workouts12:16 Gavin's Mental Strength15:57 Life Supporters18:07 Favorite Team Memory18:48 College Recruitment20:23 Funny Car Story21:20 Relentless23:00 Dealing with Pressure24:11 Defensive Prowess26:46 Nicknames27:23 Teammates31:38 Practices33:17 School Size Rivalries34:26 Playing for Matt Barnes36:33 Trash Talk38:04 Advice for Younger Kids40:38 Preferred Basketball43:07 Favorite Shoes44:31 College Preference45:33 Parting Advice#basketball #highschoolbasketball #gavinlowe #olympusbasketball

Erik has a problem and called an intervention for himself after he purchased his 7th pair of Book 1s. Other Eric is here to encourage Erik's obsession with these shoes and we discuss what makes these shoes special while comparing with Jordans, Currys, and Way of Wade alternatives. Congratulations to Andy Strong for winning the Basketball giveaway!Book 1 Contest Rules:• Subscribe to this YouTube Channel and comment with your favorite basketball shoes of all time. • Follow us on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/making_the_team/• Comment on this Instagram post with your favorite basketball shoes of all time: https://www.instagram.com/p/DHqvF9tJXy8/?img_index=1* BONUS ENTRIES *• 1 Extra entry for every person you tag in your comment on the Instagram post (up to 5 bonus entries). • Comment on our TikTok Channel:https://www.tiktok.com/@making.the.teamCHAPTERS0:00 Calling an Intervention1:58 Jordan One Take 52:42 Curry 124:39 Way of Wade 808 V46:52 Book 112:29 Booker Story14:29 GOAT Shoes16:11 Thoughts on Team Shoes17:42 New Giveaway!18:45 Retro Shoes21:56 Must Haves in a Shoe24:50 Done Buying Shoes25:35 Prime of Life#basketball #book1 #basketballshoes

Coach Chad Sims, head coach of Davis High School in Kaysville, Utah, has won two state championships in the past 4 years in Utah High School Basketball’s highest class designation (6A).

His teams are known for their physical defense, aggressive play, and disciplined teamwork. Coach Sims was kind enough to sit down with us and go over the keys to his program’s success over the past 14 years and what players and parents can expect from the high school basketball experience in an excellent program. Be sure to check out the Davis High Basketball Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/davishighbasketball/Please consider following us on social:https://www.youtube.com/@MakingTheTeamPodcast?sub_confirmation=1

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https://www.tiktok.com/@making.the.teamChapters:0:00 Chad Sims0:57 Did you expect this?2:35 Final moments of State4:39 Life and Basketball5:35 Creativity within a Structure10:03 Davis Tradition11:59 Developing Youth Programs17:00 Choosing Assistants19:11 Multi-Sport Athletes22:49 Building Toughness & Aggression25:01 Confidence in Kids26:50 Managing a Stellar Player31:25 Game Day Traditions34:49 Captains Leading27:14 Parent Communications41:43 Winning in Hostile Environments43:07 Dealing with Losing Seasons46:28 Learning from other Coaches48:06 Chad's Coachisms48:56 Challenges of Losing as a Coach51:03 Technicals and Referees53:24 What does it take to Win55:01 Luck's Involvement55:55 Drawing up a Play1:00:23 Baseline Out of Bounds Play1:02:07 Advice for Youngsters1:05:17 Questions from Instagram1:07:13 Wrapping Up