PGH Circuit Team Profile: Team Stay Ready
I saved my last interview for someone that actually recruited my daughter when she was an assistant at Rice, Team Ready Director/ Head Coach, Shanice Ready. I was so impressed with her, she was one of the first to notice my daughter while she was in middle school and when the head coaching job came up, I sent a letter to the athletic director telling them my daughter would attend Rice if she as given the job yet they blew me off as many others have and we all know how that turned out
Coach Ready’s work ethic is still unbelievable, she has a passion for the game and once she gets going, all bets are off because we went through so much in a short span of time that so many memories of yesteryear went through my head including court love for Cynthia Guillory, a woman who Shanice worked with several times to bring tournaments to the Dallas area for those who have gone unnoticed.
I remembered her being from Oklahoma yet I actually forgot she played for Oklahoma State, so I asked her for her most memorable moments in high school, and she said without hesitation “back to back state championships” and when posed the same question in college, ” I missed a lay-up at the buzzer on the road with my right hand that would have won the game and my punishment was when we got back to OSU, had to make a thousand lay-ups, which turned out to be a blessing in disguise because it made me use my left even more”
After finishing up as head coach at North Texas, her passion was still there and she took her daughter, Sydney, to an AAU tryout, the coach hadn’t shown up and some parents asked “does anyone coach” and Sydney responded “my mom’s a coach” and that’s how she became involved in youth basketball
She will have 2 teams on the PGH Circuit, they are spread out over the Metroplex area, as well as Copperas Cove, Keller, Little Elm, Denton, Mansfield, Frisco, and Braswell
This is the first graduating class yet several promising players are coming up, Jewel Spears (Wake Forest) is one of the players she coached before starting her own squad, Spears recently dropped 40 in a game but 22 players in all have gone on to play at the next level that she has coached over the years
She also was pumped about this season and said “I have 5 exceptional point guards that are young and coachable, good size as well round out the squads” and here are some of those players
Top Performers
2023
Darah Stewart (Braswell) is long and athletic, scores multiple ways, inside and out, good timing
2024
Mya Wesley (Stephensville) combo guard, dead-eye long-range shooter, scores off the dribble
Danae Crosby (Braswell) combo guard, sick athleticism, nightmare on defense and can score
2025
Adriana Robles (Keller Fossil Ridge) true PG, heady, controls the tempo, and sees the floor very well
UNDERRATED
2024
Taylor Wilson (Copperas Cove) small forward, motor never stops, powerful in the paint, rebounds on both ends
Lauren Stephens (Denton Guyer) strong build, rebounds well and is a double-double waiting to happen
UP AND COMING
2025
Isabella King (Braswell) 6’1, tough inside, rebounds, blocks shots, and finishes
Maddie Moran (Braswell) 6’0 finesse shooter, slasher, creates her shot
Senoj Jones (John Tyler) 6’2 shot blocker, excellent timing, runs the floor, scores around the basket
I asked about her personal goals and she said “run a program that’s not caught up in the hype, more family-oriented” she also added “we’re a 501C3, we volunteer at soup kitchens, MLK Rec Center, and other places, and when asked about goals for her program, this was her response ” I just want the players to see and have the opportunity to go on to the next level, if not playing basketball, then just going”
I asked what was the most important thing she got from our conversation and she dropped this on me ” it reminded me to really fight for the kids, be the very best I can be, yell their accolades and I don’t want any of them to fall between the cracks” ” everything they do, I’ll sing it to the mountaintops”
In closing, I wanted to know why she decided on the PGH Circuit, and here’s why” all the players will receive exposure, that’s what I need, to give them an opportunity to showcase their skills. The format is set up for them, all they have to do is perform and this is a great platform for them to succeed” She’s right, and based on what she’s bringing, I can’t wait