Why Flight? Parent testimonials Lindsay and Vickie Parker: Kim Parker, Heber Utah, Wasatch High School, 2009 In 2007, Kimberly was finishing up her sophomore year at Wasatch High School. She was a great athlete, but she didn’t move like a basketball player. Wasatch was playing her in the post, but we knew that if she was going to play D1 basketball, she was going to have to learn to play the 3 position, facing the basket and dribbling the ball. Several of the club teams in the state had approached Kimberly to play with them, but Utah Flight was not one of them. We knew they had a team because our younger son played at Open Court and that is where Flight practiced. We called Mary Waters to see if they had any interest. They drove up to Heber and watched Kimberly play in her next game. Coach Ray joked that he was missing the NBA slam dunk contest to watch Kim play that night. They were glad they came, and wanted Kim to consider playing with Flight. Why did we choose Flight? We talked to some of the girls that were commited to Flight at the time who had played with other club programs. They said, “Flight may not have all the most talented players, but they have the best girls, that are the best players.” We were very impressed with Mary Waters and Coach Ray when we met them. I told Coach Ray I wanted Kimberly to play the 3 and he said that was where he wanted her. They emphasized the development of the total girl—character and values, as well as athletic ability. We could not be happier with Kimberly’s experience with Flight. She has signed to play at BYU, and it would not have happened without the one-two punch of Mary Waters and Coach Ray. They really complement one another. Coach Ray is one of the best technical coaches I have ever seen. He knows how to work with girls. Mary in turn takes care of the administration and promotion. She is a bulldog for her girl,s and makes sure the world knows who they are. She makes sure all the administrative things are done right – sponsors obtained, hotels booked, and planes scheduled. But most important of all is that both Mary and Ray do things right and for the right reason. I saw Flight lose D1 talent because Mary and Ray stood up for what was right. Thanks, Mary, Ray, and Utah Flight, for what you have done for our daughter and many other great young ladies. We love to watch the girls excel! Mark and Amy Beckstead: Brooke Beckstead, Preston Idaho, Preston High School, 2011 To quote Coach Ray, we are “Flight forever baby”. As a family, we have stepped way out of the norm because we choose to travel almost two and a half hours each way to train with the Utah Flight. We are sure that a lot of people think we are crazy. To be honest, at times we thought we were crazy ourselves! When Jerre Tews first talked to me about the idea I was very excited, yet hesitant to even tell my wife what we were scheming now! We had taken our then 8th grade Preston team to the Utah AAU State Tournament the year before and played against Flight in the championship game. It was obvious that they had some of the best talent in Utah. Then, after the first tryout with Coach Ray, we were thrilled about the prospect of having our girls have two practices a week with that kind of coaching, that the distance didn't seem to matter. It was a dream come true when the girls made it into the program. The summer was not a disappointment as Brooke had the opporunity to be coached by all of the Flight coaching staff, play in four national tournaments, practiced with top caliber players, and made great friends. She was exposed to a whole new level of competion. We know that Brooke's game is now at a whole new level. It has truly been worth the time and money! As a sophomore, with letters from D1 schools in hand, she is starting Varsity for her high school. As a family we will continue to do what ever it takes to stay involved with Utah Flight! Even commute from Idaho! Shelly Morrison and Terry Morrison: MaKenzi Morrison, Draper Utah, Alta High School, 2012 I would like to personally thank all those involved in the Utah Flight Girls Basketball Program. When we moved here from California three years ago, you made it possible for Makenzi to continue playing basketball at a competitive level....which she loves. You started something here in Utah when there wasn't anything else available for the younger girls and now you have developed a top notch Club for all ages; elementary, middle school and especially high school. You have always teamed up with very experienced coaches who the girls all love and respect very much, you have made wonderful opportunities available for those who are willing to put forth the effort, and for that I would like to say THANK YOU! Last year when Makenzi was in 7th grade she received 2 college letters, both Division 1 colleges from the east coast and this summer she received 4 more Division 1 college letters of interest. This is exposure she would not have received had she not been a part of your program. Roxanne Bailey: Morgan Bailey- Orem, Utah: Timpanogas High School, 2010 It gives me a great deal of pleasure to take this opportunity to express just a few of the positive and wonderful feelings I have regarding Utah Flight Basketball Club. My daughter came to Flight two years ago after her freshman year with Since that first spring tryout at PG Junior High, Morgan has made incredible progress and improvement in her skill I also cannot say enough about the coaching staff. Coach Darger and Coach Ray have been instrumental in mentoring Morgan, giving her knowledge and fine-tuning her basketball skills to provide ultimate success in all aspects of her game. I am so grateful that Morgan has Ray Stewart as the positive African American male role model that he is and Well… I could go on for several pages I’m sure but to keep this from taking up too much space I will close in saying, “Thank You” to the Flight Basket Clubprogram for giving my daughter an all around basketball experience she could never have had anywhere else.
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