YO, YO, YO...

Miss Yolanda DeLaTorre

Coach X first saw Yo while attending high school basketball games at Hillcrest High School.  He was there supporting some players who attend Hillcrest and play for X-CITEMENT as well.  When he first saw Yolanda, Coach X thought this kid can really play! She has court vision like Magic, she passes the ball to players and they do not even know that it is in their hands.  He immediately thought she would be a great addition to the X-CITEMENT 2011 class!

We knew we were getting a hooper, but what we did NOT know was that we were getting a Rock Star!

(Thanks to Yo's FB photos)

Yo played on the X-CITEMENT Xamiya team for the Deep South Classic. 

Also pictured Raven, Iesha, Jaleesa, Gina, Ariel, and Kayla.

Some of the girls hanging watching the babies, the 2014's, play in North Carolina.

Also pictured with Yolanda, the Wellere twins, Ariel, and Raven.

This is a GREAT picture, although I do not think Yo and Quina got the memo of what type of picture they were taking.  Everyone has their cool kids swagg except these two.  Also pictured Quira, Kayla, Jaleesa, Iesha, Raven, Gina, and Ariel.

Are they intrigued or bored? Coach X has their undivided attention, but what are they thinking? What is he saying? To be inside a pre-game huddle, ok girls bring it in....Weeee Readdyyyyyy, Weeee Reeaddddyyyyy, Weeeeeee Readdddyyyyyy.....ORANGE SQUAD!

Also pictured with Yo, Gina, Raven, Iesha, Ariel, and Quina.

Yolanda and her crew about to load up for the ride to ATL. The other 2011 in the picture is Gina on the far right.  Jahmia is pictured too, Yo's self-proclaimed BFF per FB.  But is she Yo's BFF, her little sister, or what? Maybe Yolanda will let us in on the secret...all we know is that they Varsity Basketball and Volleyball together at Hillcrest.

Yolanda had a productive year at X-CITEMENT! She finished the season playing with the ORANGE team, and being an impact player on that team.  She will be continuing her education and basketball endeavors at Robert Morris University.  We wish Yolanda a great Senior year, and look forward to seeing her downstate again this year!

Coach X and Quiana

Sweet Girl Who has Come into her Own...

Miss Ariel "Lefty" Haynes

Ariel has been a member of ILLINOIS X-CITEMENT since 2005.  Coach X "discovered" Ariel at Washington Park while working out some of our then players on a court at the park.  He saw Ariel and thought she was too old at the time to play on our team.  He found that she was only about to be in 7th grade, and was the perfect age for playing here.  He gave her his card and asked to have her mom call him, and the rest is X-CITEMENT history!

In 2005, the girls were dedicated to hitting the track as a team.  This was key to helping the girls improve on the court.  During this time they had weekly workout schedules for the girls to complete on their own to be signed by their parents.  Coach X was VERY serious about wanting the young ladies of X-CITEMENT to be prepared for the next level.  Will we get back to this....

Pictured above Ariel, Kayla, Shaquira, and Shaquina.

Lefty knocking down a BIG basket at a Super Regional in Detroit, 2006.

The young ladies of ILLINOIS X-CITEMENT put in a lot of work.  Our girls have proven to be committed to the game of basketball.  Because of this, Coach X thought it would be good to have everyone get together for a day of fun activities that did not include basketball.  Our first FUN DAY was in 2006, and pictured above is Ariel and Shaquira. 

Ariel was a part of the team that gave X-CITEMENT its 300th win! This was at a Super Regional in Mason, Ohio in 2007.  We play in Ohio several times a year and have many great memories there.  We look forward to continue to build on this as a program.

 

Still in Ohio at a USJN event that same year, the girls had some time off...which is very rare.  They were able to hang at the mall and just relax.  They actually got to wear the ONE outfit Coach always tells them to bring:)  Pictured with Ariel in this picture is Raven.

Ariel and Coach X, with Xamiya in the background at the X-CITEMENT Christmas Potluck, 2008.  We have had a Christmas Potluck since 2005, and it a great tradition.  All the families come out and bring a dish, it is a lot of fun and a lot gifts given.  Just a time that we get to show our appreciation for all those that contribute to making X-CITEMENT all that it has become.

\\

Ariel at the Michigan State Camp in 2008.  The girls took this picture after the camp, outside in front of the Magic Johnson statue. 

Ariel and some of her teammates at UNC having practice before the Deep South.  Our girls are definitely looking like athletes, it is exciting to see them grow and mature on and off the court.  We are proud of all the girls, and look forward to seeing them continue to pursue their dreams.  Also pictured Raven, Gina, and Shaquira.

Ariel and Raven before they played at Deep South Classic.  They have always remained committed to

X-CITEMENT and what this program has always tried to give them on and off the court.  Both girls have grown together at X-CITEMENT, and we look forward to seeing them play at the next level!

Ariel has verbally committed to pursue her college academic and basketball career at the University of Pittsburgh...Congratulations!

We are proud of you! You deserve all that you have received because you never ran away from HARD WORK!

Ariel and her little sister, Brandey, in the meeting room at PITT.  They are about to watch the 2009 season highlight video.  Please do not ask me why they are looking like that....silly, I guess.

Ariel with the PITT coaching staff.  They are getting a great kid, Congratulations to all!

Coach B giving Ariel her Congratulations hug!

We have been blessed to have Ariel as a part of the X-CITEMENT family.  She came to the program a raw talent and a great kid who wanted to just be a part of what we had going on.  From 2005 to 2010, the only thing that has changed is that her talent is now developed, but she is still the same kind of kid.  A pleasure to be around, and a young lady we want our younger kids to aspire to be like.

Enjoy your Senior year at Bogan, stay focused on the big picture, and have fun on and off the court.

Congratulations Lefty, we will never stop believing in you! We love you...

Coach X and Quiana

Coming in Shooting the Lights OUT....

Miss Keona Green

Keona aka KG, joined ILLINOIS X-CITEMENT for this past Spring/Summer session.  Coach X says he wished he would have gotten a hold of her sooner, but is still happy he had a chance to work with her!  She came out the gate with a BANG at Deep South, and had a BIG school on her, which was amazing for her first year playing club basketball! Cocah X was very proud of her for simply doing what she does.

KG with Maryam and Deanna at Deep South, in the UNC locker room.  Girls enjoyed the experience of being on the UNC campus, gym, and locker room.

KG played on the ORANGE team this season and was definitely an IMPACT player for the team!  The girls as well as the coaches enjoyed being around her.

Kg along with the shooting guards in the program, and Coach X at Deep South.  These are the ladies that you DO NOT want to leave open in ORANGE and BLACK! You will surely get your feeling hurt if you dare...

Also pictured Raven, Maryam, and Gina.

KG trying to get Maryam to focus! That's okay, Coach P got you...lol.  Coach X says that KG is the off the bounce shooter he has seen.  Big UPS, KG!

KG with some her teammates for the ORANGE team.  We have enjoyed having KG represent the Orange and Black very well.  She has been an asset to our program, and we hope she has felt the love and appreciation we have for her as a great young lady and basketball player. 

Keona has started her senior year at Morgan Park High School.  We wish KG a great senior year in the classroom, and an 'x-citing' year on the court!

Coach X and Quiana

From the Class of 2011, introducing.....DEBO!

Miss Kayla Scoggins

Kayla Scoggins has been a part of the ILLINOIS X-CITEMENT family since 2005.  Coach X initially heard of Kayla from the staff at the Blue Island Park District, at that time she was playing on a boys' team.  She and her mom saw the light, the orange light that is, and joined X-CITEMENT!

Kayla participated in a fundraising car wash in 2005.  I am not sure how many cars she washed, but it doesn't look like she did much...lol! I am sure she put in a lot of work, she is a hardworker...DEBO!

Caught Kayla getting some rest on our trip to Springfield for a tourney in Spring of 2006.  Go back to sleep Kayla!

Kayla contributed to the 200th X-CITMENT win! Our girls were really starting to come into their own going into their 8th grade year. Also pictured, Maryam, Ariel, Shaquina, Raven, and Shaquira.

Kayla helped X-CITEMENT win the Wildcat Summer Classic in Rockford (2007). Thank you to Maryam and Ariel, also pictured.

DEBO on the bench getting herself together at Deep South.  What were you doing exactly? At least you took time out to look at the camera...lol! Also pictured, Shaquina, Gina, Ariel, and Jaleesa.

Kayla is so happy on the bus to North Carolina, but of course she is eating...lol

One of our favorite memories of Kayla is a trip to Denny's with the team, one of the first.  Everyone has money and is ordering their own food.  Kayla ordered an appetizer and a double cheeseburger meal.  We could not believe that she could eat it all, which she had  no problem putting away.  From that day we knew to never underestimate what DEBO was capable of once she hit the dinner table!

Kayla, we have enjoyed sharing the last 5 years with you and watching you mature into a beautiful young lady.  Your mom, Ms. SiSi, is a true asset to our organization and our growth over the years. And Kendric, is a little brother to us all.  We wish you the best in your last year at Eisenhower, and a GREAT senior year!

Coach X and Quiana

Our Newest Twins on 2011 Class...

Miss Breanna and Miss Deannna Wellere

                                                                     Deanna Wellere

                                                                     Breanna Wellere

The newest players of the class of 2011 are the Wellere sisters.  They have come to fit in nicely as they are hard workers, which Coach X loves! He still remembers how hard they competed at our try-outs in the Winter. 

Breanna gracing the bus with her beautiful voice on the bus on our trip to the Deep South Classic in North Carolina (2010).  Sing chile'....

The Welllere sisters always have smiles on their faces, and quickly felt the love and family atmosphere here at X-CITEMENT.  They may have been here the shortest amount of time, but their presence will be missed.

Breanna and Deanna were on the ORANGE team, and has represented well this travel season.  We wish them the best their last season at Seton Academy, and an 'x-citing' senior year!

Coach X and Quiana

Player with MOST history at X-CITEMENT...

Miss Maryam Muhammad!

Maryam has played with Coach X since her 5th grade year at Turner Drew Language Academy, where he was the boys and girls basketball coach (2003).  Maryam then joined the newly founded

 ILLINOIS X-CITEMENT as a charter member in 2004. 

The above picture is of Maryam with the 1st place trophy of our first travel tournament.  The tournament was held in El Paso, Illinois and the 6th graders took home the BIG one! Still one of Coach X's favorite trophies to this day!

Maryam was a part of our first year playing AAU basketball in 2005, she was on the BLACK team at that time.  The above is the team picture from that year.  Shaquina was also a part of this team.

Maryam also greatly contributed to the programs first 100 wins! A great accomplishment, and    

X-CITEMENT was well on it's way.  Kayla and Shaquira is also pictured.

Maryam with the Scott Twins at a team outing to the Chicago Sky game (2006).

At the Cincy AAU Super Regional, 2007, Maryam stroking a wide open jumper...did she knock it down? We will say YES!

Maryam and fellow EMPEHI teammate Raven hanging in the University of North Carolina locker room after practice while there for the Deep South Classic. (2010)

We want to take this time to say THANK YOU to Maryam Muhammad and her family for their years of support from the beginning.  We wish you best in your last season at Morgan Park, enjoy your senior year!

Coach X and Quiana