Travel Basketball Coaches

I’ve played basketball since the age of 10 putting in hours of dedicated practice for years in pursuit of improving my skills and knowledge about the game of basketball. I’ve played for various teams, leagues, and organizations learning as much as I could. My goal is to pass on the knowledge I’ve learned about the game to younger players who have hopes of improving their skills and abilities. Within the past few years I’ve coached several different sports with various ages ranging from 4-13. I intend on encouraging young players to give 110% as well as being present for their teammates, helping one another improve. Furthermore, having fun while using each play, practice, and game to learn and grow.  I’m excited to assist players in reaching their potential as well as providing them a great basketball team experience by inspiring them to work together, work hard, have fun, and strive to get better each day. 

Hello, my name is Jalynn Estrada also known as Coach Jae! I’ve played four years of varsity basketball at Niles West High School from 2012-2016. Named All-Tournament Team of 2015 and All-Conference 2016 and Buffalo Wild Wings player of the week a total of 5 times. For AAU I played with Mac Irvin Lady Fire for 6 years where I was named MVP in 2010 and helped lead my team to the 2015 Las Vegas Valley Championship. I then went on to play college basketball at the prestigious HBCU Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, Alabama where I started my freshman year and was named SIAC Newcomer of the week. I later transferred to the University of Saint Mary located in Leavenworth, Kansas where I completed my Bachelors of Business Administration in May of 2022. I have also coached grades 4-6 at MCC assisting a fellow teammate. 

Along with that I also spend some time personally training middle school basketball players. I have experience in travel basketball, I’ve traveled to Indiana, Atlanta, Las Vegas, North Carolina, and Texas. I look forward to coaching this year and developing these young ladies into the best players they can be, most importantly creating memories and having fun!

My name is Eddie Hartnett, and I am the Storm Basketball Co-Director.  Along with my role with Storm Basketball, I also coach with Storm and I am the Director of Programming with Hot Shots Sports.  I have worked with Hot Shots Sports and Storm Basketball since September 2019. 

Prior to working in my current role, I have coached basketball since 2006 at various locations.  From 2006-2008, I worked with the Niles North Boys Feeder program as an assistant coach, while studying at Illinois State University for my undergraduate degree.  After graduating in 2008, I worked with Evanston Girls Feeder Basketball from 2009-2010, grades 6-8, and then was moved to the new Evanston Boys Feeder program in 2010.  With the Evanston Boys program, I coached various levels, 5th-7th grades, and helped develop a strong pool of players that wound up winning several conference, regional, sectional, and super sectional titles while playing for Evanston Varsity, several years later. 

In 2016, I was studying at Concordia University for my graduate degree in Sports Management and was offered an opportunity as an assistant coach with their Men’s Basketball program.  I was on staff for the 2016-17 season, and completed my graduate studies in December 2016. In 2017, I was offered a position with Rochelle Zell Jewish High School as a Sophomore Boys Basketball Head Coach, and a Varsity Assistant Coach.  I remained on staff with Rochelle Zell from 2017-2019, and was apart of the 2018-19 team that won the schools third ever Regional title. 

Outside of working with Hot Shots Sports, I enjoy crushing my friends in fantasy sports, playing basketball and golf, and spending time with my wife, Katie, and our daughter, Nicole.

Hey, I’m Coach James! I am a Chicago Native and I graduated from Western Illinois University with a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Broadcasting. I’ve coached my own team in a community basketball league in the city of Chicago for 3 years. I’ve also played on my high school basketball team at Lakeview High School during my Junior and Senior year there. I fell in love with the game of basketball once I saw Michael Jordan for the first time as a kid at the United Center back in the 1990’s. I’ve always wanted to find a way to contribute to the game whether it was playing or coaching. I’m looking forward to meeting my girls on this team and making great memories with them. My coaching philosophy is to create an environment that encourages athletes to learn and develop on and off the court, and to create a safe haven for them to be themselves while still staying focused/dedicated to the game. Now let’s play some basketball! 

I'm originally from the Bay Area and played many different sports growing up, including basketball, volleyball, and track through high school. Basketball was always my favorite because of the wide range of individual skills, teamwork, and strategy involved. 

I went to college at Carnegie Mellon, where I studied math and computer science and was a guard on the basketball team. The highlight of my college basketball career was advancing to the NCAA D3 Sweet Sixteen. I've been in Chicago for the past four years and work at a finance company downtown. I have two years of experience coaching middle school club basketball, along with helping run various basketball camps/clinics/Special Olympics over the past decade. As a coach, I try to emphasize the development of solid fundamentals, along with creating a challenging but safe environment for players to grow skill-wise, as teammates, and as leaders. Outside of basketball, I enjoy cycling, reading, and hanging out with my two kittens Popcorn and Panther.

My name is Gregory Kent, and I'm a seasoned basketball player who has showcased my talent at many levels including high school on the South Side of Chicago, collegiately at Eureka College where I graduated with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration, and pro leagues overseas in Armenia and Spain.  I bring a wealth of experience and knowledge of the game to the New Trier Girls Feeder Basketball coaching staff, and I promise a journey full of learning, development, and most importantly, fun.

This year I will be leading our 5th Grade Green team, which is tailored for your child who harbors a love for basketball and aspires to elevate their skills to new heights. The game of basketball is designed to not only be challenging, but also to foster a spirit of excitement and enthusiasm. Your young athlete will experience dynamic drills, team-building activities, and engaging competitions. They will learn the fundamentals of the game all while making new friends and collecting lifelong memories. It’s more than just basketball, it's about instilling values such as sportsmanship, teamwork, resilience, and self-discipline. Join us this season, where fun meets learning, challenges meet achievements, and children meet their potential! We are looking forward to a transformative and thrilling journey.

My name is Naella Langston, this is my first year coaching and I’m very excited to teach.  I played varsity all four years of high school and finished my first year of college basketball at Malcom X. While at Malcom X I became a certified personal trainer. I believe that work ethic is key to being successful, not just with basketball, but anything in life.  I’m thrilled to be able to teach that to my players and to also build with them and create an outstanding team.

I started off my coaching career as one of the assistant coaches for my former high school basketball team and in 2022-23, coaching girls travel teams from 3rd grade to 7th grade. I have also assisted other coaches during skill practices. After graduating college, starting a family, starting my full time career, I have found myself loving basketball all over again through watching my sons play and through coaching girls basketball.  I was born and raised in Chicago. I went to the University of Indianapolis where I received my Bachelor’s of Science degree in Psychology and continued my education to become an Occupational Therapist Assistant working with special needs children at a school.  I have played basketball since 5th grade. I played all 4 years of high school, played for a PBA league (Phillipine Basketball Association) for 3 years while in high school, and 1 year club basketball in college. My biggest accomplishment in high school was winning “Women of the Year” that focused on being a student athlete.

As a coach, I strive to help each player reach their goals and to be better versions of themselves on and off the court. My philosophy is to always give 110% in everything you do. Working hard pays off and giving up should never be an option. I look forward to coaching with New Trier/Storm basketball!