2009-2010 JGTBA Head coach bio’s
Head coach 8th grade
Jim Houston
Hello my name is Jim Houston I have been a Minnesota resident for over 20 years. I am a graduate of Richfield High School and currently work for the State of Minnesota as a Placement Coordinator for the Department of Employment and Economic Development assisting businesses in creating workforce solutions. I am a student at Metropolitan State University and plan to graduate in the fall of 2010. I have been coaching traveling basketball in the metro area for nearly a decade. I spent three years at MDB in Bloomington and have been fortunate enough to work with the JGTBA for four year this season. This summer I will be running some basketball clinics for the YMCA throughout the Twin Cities, you can get more information at
Head coach 7A
Jesse Starling
I have over 7 years of basketball coaching experience.I’ve coached the Jefferson Traveling Girls for the past 2 years (placed 3rd and 4th at state), also coached in-house for 5 years prior.I played high school varsity basketball as a youth and participated in various recreational leagues over the years.
Head coach 7B
Brittany Bowen
I am a 2005 graduate of Merrill High School in Merrill, WI where I was a successful three sport athlete in basketball, volleyball, and track. I went on to play basketball for the University of Maine where I received a BA in Psychology with a predental minor. I am currently pursuing a career in dentistry, taking credits at the University of Minnesota, and doing an internship with a dentist in St. Paul. I have a passion for both working with kids and the sport of basketball, so I amreallylooking forward to the opportunity to coach these young athletes.
Head coach 6th grade
Kevin Williams
Hi, My name is Kevin Williams. I am a Macalester College graduate and grew up in Brooklyn, NY but attended high school in Jamaica, WI. I have been involved with basketball since a young age, as a player as well as a coach, playing high school and college basketball. Unfortunately I was forced to the sidelines with a shoulder injury at the end of my college career. Despite the injury, I played scrimmages with the Macalester basketball team and played intramurals. I have coached at the YMCA in Flushing, NY and the Bergen Beach Youth Organization in Brooklyn, NY.
Head coach 5th grade
Cassie Gardner
My name is Cassie Gardner, and I currently live in Apple Valley. I am in my last semester with Mankato State University. I am student teaching in a special education room at Eastview Elementary in Lakeville, I will be graduating in December. I have played basketball my entire life. I played varsity basketball for 5 years at Eagan High School. Throughout my years of basketball, I have played in-house, traveling, AAU, and school ball. I have coached players in numerous camps and clinics over the years. I have a passion for basketball and I am eager to share my passion with others. I am very excited to be joining JGTBA this year as the fifth grade coach!