What does it take to make a Junior College basketball team? In this episode of Making the Team, I sit down with Coach Andrew May, head coach of the powerhouse Snow College Men’s Basketball program. After finishing last season as the #1 ranked JUCO team in the nation and currently sitting at #4, Coach May shares exactly what it takes to succeed at the JUCO level — on and off the court.🏀 Topics we cover include:How to stand out and make a JUCO rosterThe differences between JUCO and 4-year programsThe raw reality of junior college basketballBuilding a winning culture at Snow CollegeAdvice for high school players, parents, and coachesWhether you're a student-athlete, a parent, or a coach, this conversation offers a rare look into the mindset, structure, and recruiting expectations at the JUCO level — from one of the best in the country.Be sure to check follow the Snow College Basketball Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/snowcollegemensbasketball/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.team⏰ TIME CODES ⏰0:00 Intro0:38 Reality of JUCO Ball5:17 Importance of Academics7:31 Winning and Recruiting11:40 Player Development14:50 Structuring Effective Practices20:02 Recruiting: Players Who Stand Out28:47 Physical Conditioning Expectations30:44 Recruiting: Snow's Appeal to Players36:00 Recruiting Process40:10 Persuasion vs Manipulation42:08 Player Roles45:00 Parent Roles in College46:21 A Player's Daily Schedule50:41 Game Day & Travel53:52 Crazy Manager Stories56:40 Jimmermania59:22 Living up to Expectations1:03:28 After a Win/After a Loss1:06:35 Process over Outcome1:08:04 Best Part of Coaching1:09:33 Hardest Part of Coaching1:13:50 A Coach's Control Mid Game1:16:30 Passions Outside Basketball1:17:51 Instagram Question1:21:14 Gift of Communication1:22:36 Electrifying Moments1:26:31 GOAT & Mt. Rushmore1:26:51 Advice for High School Senior

In this episode of Making the Team, Erik Soderborg sits down with Connor Patten, head basketball coach at Tintic High School, a small-town program in Eureka, Utah.

Tintic is a 1A school - the smallest classification of high schools in the state. Coach Patten opens up about what it’s really like to lead a basketball team in a community where every player matters, every season is personal, and resources are limited — but passion runs deep.

🎙 Topics include:

Coaching challenges at a small high school

How to build a strong team culture with a small roster

Balancing mentorship, leadership, and development

The emotional highs and lows of rural coaching

Why small schools still matter in the world of high school sports

If you’re a coach, player, or sports fan who believes in the power of heart over hype, this conversation will inspire and motivate you.

👍 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more interviews from Making the Team – where we highlight athletes and coaches shaping the game from the ground up.

Be sure to follow Coach Patten's journey on his Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/coach.patten/

Follow Tintic basketball here: https://www.instagram.com/thsbbasketball/

Please consider following us on social:

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⏰ TIME CODES ⏰

0:00 Intro Teaser

0:20 1A Realities

2:38 What Tryouts Are Like

3:59 Player Development

5:47 Youth Development Pre High School

8:30 Hopes and Dreams of 1A Players

11:01 Picking a Staff

14:15 Travel & Rivalries in 1A

16:43 Swag and Fundraising

18:43 Rural Economic Drivers

22:44 Building a Culture of Winning Now

26:25 Scouting Other Teams

30:23 Connor's Coaching Journey

37:18 Coaches and their Spouses

38:43 This Upcoming Year

43:20 Coaching Hard is Caring

45:33 Entertainment in a Small Town

48:36 School Boundaries

49:35 Multi-Sport Athletes

52:12 Connor Outside Basketball

53:08 Message For Players and Parents

58:08 No Quit Mentality

#basketball #podcast #basketballpodcast #makingtheteam #smalltownsports

In this episode of Making the Team, Erik Soderborg sits down with Parker Van Dyke, former University of Utah basketball standout and current professional player, to break down his incredible journey through the game.

From AAU tournaments and Utah high school hoops, to playing for the Utah Utes in the Pac-12, and now taking his game to the professional level, Parker shares the highlights, the grind, and the moments that made it all worth it.

🎯 Topics covered:

Growing up in the Utah basketball scene

Dominating High School Basketball

Playing for the U of U and hitting clutch shots

The transition to professional basketball

Lessons learned from AAU to college to the pros

Advice for young players trying to make the team

If you’re a basketball fan, athlete, or someone chasing your dream — this episode is full of real talk, insights, and inspiration.

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

Be sure to check follow Parker's journey on his Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/parkervandyke/

Please consider following us on social:

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https://www.instagram.com/making_the_team/

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⏰ TIME CODES ⏰

0:00 Intro Teaser

0:37 First Meeting Parker Story

1:45 The Importance of Intense Practice

3:44 When Basketball Became Life

6:07 Multi-Sport Athletes

8:12 Getting Over Perfectionism

11:02 AAU Successes

17:27 Parker's Shot Form

20:45 High School Moments

26:42 Daily Routine in High School

29:07 Effective Training

32:46 College Recruiting Experience

35:31 Advice to College Recruits

37:01 Why The University of Utah

39:58 High School Regrets

41:51 2 Years Off Basketball - Mission

43:45 Coach's Quote - Embrace Your Role

48:08 Taking the Weight Room to Another Level

52:06 College Daily Routine

53:52 College Conditioning

56:30 Importance of Diet

58:14 College Game Experience

1:00:01 Toughest Player Parker Played Against

1:01:38 Chad Chadrickson

1:02:56 The Dunk

1:05:23 UCLA Game Winner

1:11:04 Toughest Atmosphere to Play

1:12:34 What Parker Would Change About College

1:15:05 Professional Basketball: Overseas

1:22:29 European Basketball Money

1:24:55 G League: Austin Spurs

1:27:11 Game Day Traditions

1:29:54 Picking Number 5

1:31:48 Most Influential Basketball Movie

1:32:30 Favorite Shoe

1:32:55 85 Point Game

1:36:09 Parker on Winning

1:40:00 Blind Ranking/Guessing Basketballs

1:48:18 Life Outside Basketball

1:49:58 Favorite Pokemon

1:51:15 Staying Grounded

1:52:58 Parker's Future Hopes

1:54:00 Where to Play in the Offseason

1:56:13 Was It Worth It?

#basketball #podcast #basketballpodcast #makingtheteam #parkervandyke

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/

Please consider following us on social:

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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/

Please consider following us on social:

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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.

Please consider following us on social:

https://www.youtube.com/@MakingTheTeamPodcast?sub_confirmation=1

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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:

https://www.youtube.com/@MakingTheTeamPodcast?sub_confirmation=1

https://www.instagram.com/making_the_team/

https://www.tiktok.com/@making.the.team

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/

Please consider following us on social:

https://www.youtube.com/@MakingTheTeamPodcast?sub_confirmation=1

https://www.instagram.com/making_the_team/

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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