Jared Honig

Head Coach, Valencia HS Girls 🏀

[Steve Collins @TeachHoopsBBall]

The best high school teams don't rely on talent alone.
They rely on responsibility, players who take ownership:
- Of their defensive assignments.
- Of making the right basketball read.
- Of leading by example when no one's watching. Basketball is a game of trust, and trust is built on accountability.

[Greg Berge @GregBerge]

Every championship team has one.

A player who rarely scores.

Rarely starts.

Rarely gets mentioned in the newspaper.

But if you asked the coach which player they couldn’t afford to lose, this name would be near the top of the list.

And that’s what most fans never see…

We celebrate stars. We should. You need talent to win games.

But championship teams are usually built on players whose impact never shows up in the box score.

They’re the first to celebrate a teammate’s success.

They’re the voice in the huddle after a tough stretch.

They’re the player who could complain about their role but chooses to serve the team instead.

I think about the term domestique in professional cycling.

A domestique doesn’t ride to win the race.

They sacrifice their race so someone else can.

No spotlight.
No headlines.
Just impact.

Every great team has a version of this player.

The teammate who makes practice better.

The teammate who keeps the locker room connected.

The teammate who helps the stars become stars.

What makes them special isn’t talent.

It’s maturity.
It’s humility.
It’s selflessness.

And if you’ve coached long enough, you know this truth:

Many championship runs are carried by players who never receive the credit they deserve.

The best teams don’t just have great players.

They have players willing to play a role.

And that is often the difference between a good team and a championship team. 🏆

Who are these players on your team and how do you celebrate them?

[Statham Academy @StathamAcademy]

Hype Her Hoops Heat Check 🌡️

Statham Academy Elite 62 | Run and Gun 49

⭐️ Darby Dunn (28 PG)
23 PTS | 5 AST | 4 REB | 10-13 FG

⭐️ Alexis Epie 28
10 PTS | 12 REB (7 Offensive) | BLK

⭐️ Charlotte Crosley (28 PG)
11 PTS | 3 3FG | 4 REB

⭐️ Keira McLaughlin
6 PTS | 9 REB | 4 AST

[Matthew Kovach @MattyK31]

🏀Kiera McLaughlin
5'11 2027 Valencia Vikings
#PostEntry
Alexis Epie @AlexisEpie33457
5'10 2028 @ValenciaGirlsBB
#RollIntoPosition #createAlead #cashIn
@StathamAcademy 17u National
Hype Her Hoops #HeatCheck

[Matthew Kovach @MattyK31]

🏀Alexis Epie @AlexisEpie33457
5'10 2028 @ValenciaGirlsBB
#timingtheFootwork
@StathamAcademy 17u National
Hype Her Hoops #HeatCheck

[Matthew Kovach @MattyK31]

🏀Keira McLaughlin
5'11 2027 Valencia Vikings
#Selfless
Makenzie Duffee
6'1 2027 Desert Christian
@StathamAcademy 17u National
Hype Her Hoops #HeatCheck

[Logan Simmons @CoachLSimmons]

Dominate the little things. The great ones know, and understand, that everything matters. They don’t allow cracks in the foundation. They’re intentional about every moment, every rep, every play, every task.
At the end of the day, the smallest details add up. The question is, what are they adding up to?
Do you second guess yourself or have regrets at the end; or are you content knowing that you mastered the little details, no matter the result?
Build & protect the foundation. Take the path of small, consistent details. Master the details. Remember that everything matters.

[Jamy Bechler @CoachBechler]

When older players are willing to help out younger players...

When starters are willing to help out their backups...

When everyone cares about each other's success as much as their own...

That's when you know you have a championship culture!

#CultureMatters

[Alan Stein, Jr. @AlanSteinJr]

Accountability isn’t punishment. It’s proof of care.

When you hold people to a high standard, you’re telling them: “I believe you’re capable of more… and I care too much to let you settle for less.”

[Steve Collins @TeachHoopsBBall]

The best players don't just work on their shot, they master the intangibles:
- Talking on defense
- Diving for loose balls
- Being first in every sprint
Talent might get you noticed, but doing the little things is what makes you indispensable.

[Coach AJ 🎯 Mental Fitness @coachajkings]

Brad Stevens said, "This game is about how you act as a teammate. This game is about embracing roles and accepting roles."

Great teams have great teammates.
• They care about each other.
• They commit to the team.
• They own their roles.

Here's how to be a great teammate:👇

[Valencia Girls Basketball @ValenciaGirlsBB]

𝐀𝐥𝐥-𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫 💫

Congratulations to Kamilla Basyrova on being named to the @CalHiSports 1st Team All-State Sophomore Class!

This marks Kamilla’s second straight season earning All-State recognition — an incredible accomplishment and a testament to the work she consistently puts in year-round. Her competitiveness, skill, and impact on the court helped make this a special season, and this honor is well deserved.

Proud of everything she continues to accomplish representing Valencia Girls Basketball!

#HornsUp
#VikingsGBB
#GoVikings
#ACT

@pollonpreps @latsondheimer @Tarek_Fattal @newsfromryan @SignalSports @StevenBarrera55 @KHTSSports @MattyK31 @LanceSmithTPC @dnsjackg @VHSVikingSports @SBLiveCA

[Matthew Kovach @MattyK31]

🏀Alexis Epie @AlexisEpie33457 5'10 2028 @ValenciaGirlsBB
#focusThroughContact
@StathamAcademy 17u National
#3Stripes Gold. Earn Your Stripes

[Matthew Kovach @MattyK31]

🏀Alexis Epie @AlexisEpie33457 5'10 2028 @ValenciaGirlsBB
#holdtheAngle
@StathamAcademy 17u National #3Stripes Gold. Earn Your Stripes

[Greg Berge @GregBerge]

Tough teams do 3 things better than everyone else:

1. They communicate
2. They hold each other accountable
3. They keep showing up, no matter what

It’s not just a mindset.
It’s your standard.

[Steve Collins @TeachHoopsBBall]

A high school basketball team isn't just made up of positions and plays; it's built on heart, chemistry, and trust.
You can run the perfect offense, but none of it matters if your players don't believe in each other. Skill wins games, teamwork wins championships.

[Steve Collins @TeachHoopsBBall]

Great teams do the little things right:

Stay together
Own it
Be resilient
Build trust
Respect the standard
Love the process
Commit daily
Learn from losses
WE > ME
Hold each other accountable

Be GREAT.

[Steve Collins @TeachHoopsBBall]

A selfish player can score points.
An unselfish player creates wins.
The difference?
Knowing the game isn't about *you*. It's about the team, giving up a good shot for a better one, making the hustle plays when no one's watching, and putting winning above recognition.

[Don Showalter @dshow23]

Great Mind Candy!!

[Matt Lisle @CoachLisle]

"A player who makes a team great is more valuable than a great player.".
John Wooden