Betty Lennox

Director of Women’s Basketball

Betty Lennox was born and raised in Hugo, Oklahoma. As a teenager, her family moved to Independence Missouri where she graduated from Fort Osage High School. Betty had many offers to play at many colleges but decided to stay close to home and attended Trinity Valley community college where she won a championship and set many records in the Sun Belt. Betty Lennox later attended college at Louisiana Tech on a basketball scholarship, where she was coached by the great coach Leon Barmore. Betty won many awards while attending Louisiana Tech, but the biggest award came when she was drafted in the first round into the WNBA in 2000.

Betty Lennox was voted Rookie of the Year while playing for the WNBA Minnesota Lynx team and only rookie ever voted at the time to play and start in the All-Star game that year. Betty went on to play 12 years in the WNBA and taking home many awards such as All-WNBA 2nd Team in 2000, a championship with the Seattle Storm in 2004 and the league’s MVP for the championship series in 2004. In 2017, Betty was named to the top 10 players for the Seattle Storm and was also named to the Minnesota Lynx’s top 25 players in 2023. Betty Lennox still holds the record for most points scored in a WNBA regulation game with the Atlanta Dream with 44 points.

Betty also played overseas in various countries while playing in the WNBA, along with overseeing her Lennox 22 foundation before coming back Missouri to train all kids at every level and coaching at the high school and college levels. Now, Betty passes her talents onto the youth and basketball players of tomorrow around the world as she is a member of the NBA coach’s academy.

Jeff Hawkins

Director of Boys High School Basketball

Jeff Hawkins is the current head boys basketball coach at Pembroke Hill School. He has been the coach of the Raiders since 2021. Since his hire the team has won back to back to back district titles (in both 4A and 5A) and has had back to back trips to the MSHSAA Final Four. Coach Hawkins is also a PE teacher at the lower school at Pembroke Hill.

Coach Hawkins played point guard at the University of Kansas from 2002 – 2006. He was a part of two Final Four appearances, a national championship runner-up and four regular season Big 12 titles. He won the team’s defensive stopper award his senior season.

Hawkins earned his bachelor’s degree in Communications from KU in 2005. He began working on his master’s degree during the 2006 basketball season. After graduating from KU Hawkins played professionally in Germany for the Bremen Roosters. A knee injury ended his professional playing days.

Hawkins is married to Heather Hawkins and they have three children, Mavrick, Sienna, and Atticus.

Neil Watson

Director of Youth Boys Basketball and Instructor

Woody Carter

Basketball Instructor

Woody Carter, born and raised in Topeka, KS, has made a name for himself in the basketball world. After graduating from Topeka High School, he began his collegiate career at Seward County in Liberal, KS. Graduating from Benedictine College would be the next step on his pathway to the pros. “Mr.” Carter went on to sign with the Harlem Legends, a team of former Harlem Globetrotters and NBA greats. His career has now spanned over 20 years of touring, motivational speaking, training and entertaining people of all ages.

Nathaniel Glidewell

Basketball Instructor

Nathaniel Glidewell, (Coach Glide) originally from St. Joseph, Missouri, has been coaching since 2016 with a focus on skills development and organizing basketball events. He played Semi-Professionally briefly before his stint of coaching notable players such as Keegan and Kris Murry in a summer league, Tristan Spurlock, and Wes Washpun have attended his basketball clinics. Glidewell holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Bible Theology from Emmaus Bible College and has worked with hundreds of athletes across various levels, from the G League to youth basketball.  His coaching style is teaching in game situations, with an expertise with post players.  He currently resides in KCK with his wife Lauren, and two kids.

Deon Tripp

Basketball Instructor

Hello, my name is Deon Tripp. I am 29 years old, I was born and raised in Wyandotte County of Kansas City Ks. I graduated high school from Sumner Academy of Arts & Science, and won a HS state total in basketball. I later went on to play Division 1 Juco basketball at Independence Community College while receiving my associate’s degree in liberal studies. My focus is to help each player that I coach/train become better individuals on the court & off the court. I like to specialize in player development with skill work & defense, as well as teach the importance of every little detail matters when playing the game of basketball!