Team Heat success off the court is paralleled by its success on the court. Many of our teams are well-recognized by their competitiveness in area leagues and tournaments. Our organization credits its court success because of its unique coaching methods. We combine the knowledge from different experienced coaches to assist each child in his or her early athletic development. Our coaches are continuously developing ways to further enhance our player’s abilities. We’ve also established ongoing training to further enhance the knowledge of our coaches. This process has assured that the coaches have the ongoing tools needed to teach each of our players the fundamentals of basketball. Players and parents will often see a number of coaches at some of their practices who would assist the head coach by teaching the kids their specialty such as shooting or defense.
Please note that we are an organization that is serious about basketball and will be committed as such. We understand that there will be different levels of commitment from each child. However, we will expect some commitment from each player in becoming better at basketball. We don’t expect your child to choose between basketball and other sports; especially at a young age. However, teams are divided based on talent and/or commitment. This means that if a child really wants to be a basketball player, this is the organization for him or her. On the other hand, if he or she just likes to play and hasn’t decided on a primary sport, that’s okay too. We would love to have them.
Coach Ricky Barnes: 11,13,15,16U
Club Founder & President
Coach Barnes have been involved with youth for over 18 years. He develops, train, and motivate youth athletes to be the best they can be. He has won numerous championships as a player and a coach. Since the existence of Team Heat, Coach Barnes has led the organization to 3 National Championships, 2 State Championships and has had 2 State Runner-Ups. He believes that every kid can bring something to help the program.
He doesn't believe in the "get em next time" approach. He believes in "Winning Right Now"
Coach Shonti Land 11 & 13U
Coach Shonti Land is a product of Yuma Athletics. Born and raised in Yuma Coach Shonti has been involved in youth athletics since returning home from playing football at Whitworth University. During this 14 years of time Coach Shonti has coached everything from soccer to basketball. Coach Shonti’s philosophy is to make the game of basketball as pretty as possible and don’t panic when it gets ugly or scattered. As an educator, Coach Shonti has benefited from quality athletic programs in Yuma like the H.E.A.T program and through coaching he feels that he can give back to the Yuma community.
Coach Jeffery Kay 11 & 13U
Coach Kay, a former professional baseball player in the Montreal Expos organization with the Lethbridge Expos in Lethbridge, Alberta Canada as well as the Corpus Christi Seagulls in Corpus Christi, TX. Coach Kay played a total of 3 years as a pitcher in the minors. He has been with Coca-Cola for over 33 years, and is currently the District Sales Manager at Yuma Coca Cola branch. He graduated with a B.S. in Business Management from the University of Phoenix in 2003. He has been involved in youth sports for over 22 years, coaching baseball and basketball. His involvement over those years has produced several championships teams in Little League baseball and youth basketball leagues in TX. In those 21 years, he has developed and coached several youths that are currently in professional baseball ranging from minor league to the major league. His philosophy is, "teach the kids to be team players, develop their skills, be competitive work hard, and be smarter than your oppnent".
Coach Frank Brown 15U
Prior to my residency in Yuma, I volunteered as a youth basketball coach with the YMCA and officiated two years as a high school basketball referee with AIA in Tucson, Arizona. I resumed my coaching status with the Yuma Parks and Recreation in 2008, starting with the Boys Grasshopper Division, Junior High Boys Division for three straight years and coached a 15 to 18 year old boys basketball team during a summer league. I was fortunate to lead a Grasshopper team in 2009 to an undefeated season and ultimately captured a championship. I began the Amateur Athletic Union circuit with my involvement with Team Heat-Yuma formerly known as Yuma Heat since it's existence four years ago, having a short stint as a head basketball coach with the 15U boys team, managed a 12 Under gisrls basketball team and currently an assistant coach with the 13 Under boys basketball team. I have been truly blessed to be a part of this orgranization that Coach Ricky Barnes had envisioned, witnessing the development of our players becoming better people on and off the basketball court in pursuit of making it to the next level, collegiately. I am a firm believer that "If you can believe it, then you can achieve it".
Coach Tim Smith 15U
Timothy L. Smith was born and raised in Florida and a graduate of Santa Fe High School in Alachua, Florida. He is a member and Deacon of Second Missionary Baptist Church in Yuma, Arizona under the leadership of Pastor Alfred E. Jernigan. He is actively involved in his Church and with the Youth of his Church, as well as in the community. “I believe that with love and positive guidance, any Youth can succeed in life; that if they trust in God and put him first, they can make it through any obstacle that may come their way; that with guidance and reassurance of a helping hand, our Youth can face the current challenges which lies ahead of them.”
“I am one of the coaches assisting with the Yuma Heat Basketball Team. I believe that Basketball is like life. It’s not all about whether you win or lose, it’s about how you play the game. You play your best, show good sportsmanship, play and work hard, and have fun.
Coach Denmark Reid 16u
Welcome, my name is Denmark Reid. I 'm originally from Portland, Oregon but currently residing in Yuma, Az. I am a graduate of Jefferson High School in Portland, Oregon where I was a Gatorade player of the year in 1993. I attended Arizona western College from 1993 - 1995. I also played Division I basketball for New Mexico State University from 1996 to 1998. I have professional basketball experience as well that lasted seven years. I have played in Argentina, Sapporo Japan, and the Vancouver Volcanoes of the IBL, which was my last season of professional play.
Prior to my residency in Yuma I was a part of the courtside entertainment program that produced some of the best high school and college ball players in the country. I began my quest as a basketball coach in Portland, Oregon but I really became involved as a head coach when Ricky Barnes asked me to join his program 4 years ago. I currently coach the 16u team which I have been working with since they were 13. As a basketball coach and mentor I want to measures outcomes, make a difference and change the lives of these young men. The one model I use with my team is that Sports without education is a long shot and I honestly believe that.
