Est. DFW • AAU Basketball

Ball Hard. Stay Humble.

Whatever you do — do it all for the glory of God

Sign Up Today Meet the Teams

The Squads

Six Teams. One Standard.

5th

5th Boys · 11U

Where it all starts. Fundamentals, footwork, and a love for the game built early.

The Foundation View Team →
7th

7th Boys Red · 13U

One of two 7th grade squads. Sharpening skills and competing hard every weekend.

Red Squad View Team →
7th

7th Boys Black · 13U

One of two 7th grade squads. Sharpening skills and competing hard every weekend.

Black Squad View Team →
8th

8th Boys · 14U

Stepping up to tougher competition and building a game ready for high school.

The Build View Team →
9th

9th Boys · 15U

High school basketball begins here. Building the habits and toughness the next level demands.

The Climb View Team →
HS

High School Girls

Built for the next level. Exposure, elite skill work, and preparation for college play.

The Next Level View Team →

The Staff

Meet the Coaches

Coach Twillie III

Coach Twillie III

Head Coach • Organization

Credentials: USA Basketball Gold Licensed Coach • Licensed AAU Member • National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Member

With a decade of coaching experience and a lifetime of athletic dedication, Coach Twillie brings a wealth of knowledge, passion, and elite training standards to our program. A versatile athlete from the start, Coach Twillie competed in basketball, track, and soccer during his school years, developing a deep understanding of multi-sport athleticism, speed mechanics, and competitive drive. This diverse sports background heavily influences his holistic approach to player development today.

Coaching Journey
Coach Twillie has spent the last 10 years mentoring young athletes and building successful programs across multiple competitive tiers:

Founder & Head Coach, Young Shooterz Basketball (2022–Present): Launched the program to provide elite skill development, basketball IQ training, and mentorship for local youth.

Head Coach, YMCA Youth Leagues (2018–2021): Focused on building foundational skills, teamwork, and a love for the game in a high-energy community environment.

Assistant Coach, Harmony School (2017): Contributed to strategic game planning and varsity-level player development.

Coaching Philosophy
“My goal is to develop fundamentally sound, high-IQ basketball players while instilling the discipline, accountability, and work ethic required to succeed both on and off the court.”

By holding elite-level certifications from USA Basketball (Gold License) and the NABC, Coach Twillie ensures that our athletes are learning under the highest standard of safety, modern skill-development techniques, and ethical coaching practices certified at the national level.

2026 Young Shooterz coaching staff
Coach Hawthorne

Coach Hawthorne

Head Coach • 9th Grade Boys

I am Anthony Allen Hawthorne, and I have been in love with the game of basketball since I was an 8-year-old kid first picking up a ball. I played varsity basketball as a sophomore in high school and started all of my last three years. I was heavily recruited by Oklahoma and LSU, but I wanted to develop more, so I decided to play college ball at a junior college for two years. I ended up playing one year before a coaching scandal hit my freshman year. When that happened, I lost track of things and started out training kids after college. I always said that if I did not go pro, I would want to give back to the game of basketball by coaching, training, and mentoring kids on the come-up! I started training in 2012 and started coaching my own AAU team shortly after, around 2014. In August 2022, I started coaching at a private high school in Dallas by the name of The Winston High School. I am the middle school boys head coach and the varsity boys assistant coach. This school had never made the playoffs in its history before I came, and now we have been to the playoffs every year, including the Elite 8 in my second year there. I am beyond proud of all the work I have put in and the lives I’ve touched over time. In 2023–2024, I received a Coach of the Year award! I am currently still there as an assistant coach while I look to further my career in a head position somewhere, when God says it’s my turn! My passion for the game of basketball is unmatched in my opinion, and I truly enjoy coaching the younger generation!

Coach Ray

Coach Ray

Assistant Coach • HS Girls

Hello, my name is Coach Ray. I am a lifelong competitor who has developed an elite basketball IQ through years of AAU competition and extensive film study. My basketball journey took me from Shawnee Heights High School to the collegiate level at Johnson County Community College, where I played shooting guard. Known for my dynamic shooting, ball-handling ability, and high-level understanding of the game, I pride myself on reading defenses, anticipating plays, and creating high-percentage scoring opportunities for my team. On the defensive end, I built a reputation as a relentless perimeter defender, earning MVP awards throughout my career, along with multiple All-Team and All-Tournament honors. My accomplishments also include being named the 2011 USSSA Mo-Kan Midwest Free Throw Champion and helping lead my team to both the Jayhawk East Conference Championship and NJCAA Region VI Championship in 2017. Through discipline, leadership, and a commitment to excellence on both ends of the floor, I established myself as a true two-way player and leader. I’ve been with Young Shooterz for the past nine months, and it has been a blessing to be part of such an amazing coaching staff. I’m excited to see what the Lord has in store for our team this season and seasons to come! I am committed to continuing my growth as both a coach and mentor.

Coach Watts

Coach Watts

Head Coach • 7th Boys Red

Coach Watts' basketball background started from playing youth leagues through his senior year of varsity. He began his coaching journey with the Young Shooterz organization and spent three years as a high school girls' assistant coach. As a head coach, Watts has successfully led developmental 5th-grade girls and 7th-grade boys, focusing on player growth and lifelong athletic fundamentals.

Coach Pippins

Coach Pippins

Assistant Coach • 9th Grade Boys

Bio coming soon.

College Recruitment

Lavonda Patterson, College Recruitment Counselor

Lavonda Patterson

College Recruitment Counselor

We are thrilled to welcome Lavonda Patterson to the Young Shooterz Basketball family. Lavonda joins us to provide specialized, one-on-one consulting to help our parents and players successfully navigate the evolving and complex college recruiting landscape. We are incredibly fortunate to have her expertise on our team.

The Mission

About the Program

About the Young Shooterz Program

As a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Christian basketball organization, our heart is to mentor athletes through the game they love while building a strong spiritual foundation. To reach more youth and expand our impact, we need like-minded leaders, partners, and supporters who want to pour into our mission.

You can be an intricate part of this exciting new chapter. Want to make a lasting impact? Email youngshooterz2021@gmail.com and learn how you can get involved in our expansion process.

#ChristAndBasketball  #FaithAndSports  #YouthBasketball  #MinistryExpansion  #Nonprofit  #CommunityImpact

The Soundtrack

Team Anthem

Player not loading? Listen on Suno →

Collage of Young Shooterz players and coaches in action

More Than a Team

The Family

Prayer before tip-off. Coaches courtside. Players putting in work from the 5th grade squad to the high school girls. This is what the program looks like up close.

Follow the journey all season long — game days, tournament runs, and the moments in between.

Fan Gear

Shop Fan Merch

Tees, hoodies, custom jersey backs, and caps — any proceeds made go back into the organization. Orders are filled on Fridays.

Young Shooterz fan merchandise: tees, hoodies, custom jersey backs, and caps
Email to Order

Send your item, size, and color to youngshooterz2021@gmail.com

For the Glory

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

1 Corinthians 10:31

Team Fees

Pay Fees Your Way

  1. Open your banking app

    Pay with Zelle (built into most banking apps), Cash App, or Venmo. Use whichever is easiest for you.

  2. Send to the team

    Scan a QR code with your phone's camera, or send Zelle to the phone number below. It fills in automatically.

  3. Put your player's name in the memo

    Example: "Jalen W — 8th Boys". This is how we match your payment to your player, so please don't skip it.

Zelle

Young Shooterz Zelle QR code
(817) 691-0988

Kasaundra Twillie

Cash App

Young Shooterz Cash App QR code
$youngshooterz

Mansell Twillie

Venmo

Young Shooterz Venmo QR code
@youngshooterz

Mansell Twillie III

Payments are instant and can't be reversed, so double-check the recipient before you send. Always put your player's name and team in the memo. Questions about fee amounts? Reach out to your team's coach.

Think You Can Run With Us?

Every player needs an AAU membership to compete. Sign up takes about ten minutes, then reach out so we can get your player on a roster.

Sign Up Today youngshooterz2021@gmail.com
← All Teams

5th Grade Boys

5th Boys

11UThe Foundation
5th Boys / 11U team photo — 2026 Young Shooterz

The Players

Roster

5Caden Klein
8Logan Campbell
11Xander Noll
12Anthony Flowers II
21Emilio Esquivel
23Michael Mwangi
24Chance Vaughn
25Sebastian Barron II

Game Film

Highlights

More highlights coming soon

The Coach

The Coach

Coach Twillie III

Coach Twillie III

Head Coach • 5th Boys / 11U

Coach Mansell Twillie III is the heart of the Young Shooterz program. As head coach of the organization, he leads the High School Girls, 8th Grade Boys, 7th Grade Boys Black, and 5th Grade Boys squads — building players from the inside out, fundamentals on the court and character off of it. For Coach Twillie, the game is always bigger than the scoreboard.

Want to Join 5th Boys / 11U?

Every player needs an AAU membership to compete. Sign up, then reach out so we can get your player on the roster.

Sign Up Today
← All Teams

7th Grade Boys · Red

7th Boys Red

13URed Squad
7th Boys Red / 13U team photo — 2026 Young Shooterz

The Players

Roster

0Cruz Pena
1Rocco Esposito
3Skyler Whitten
11Gabriel Medina
14Ashton Donnelly
19Chandler Littleton
25Chase Niekamp

Game Film

Highlights

More highlights coming soon
More highlights coming soon
More highlights coming soon
More highlights coming soon

The Coach

The Coach

Coach Watts

Coach Watts

Head Coach • 7th Boys Red / 13U

Coach Watts' basketball background started from playing youth leagues through his senior year of varsity. He began his coaching journey with the Young Shooterz organization and spent three years as a high school girls' assistant coach. As a head coach, Watts has successfully led developmental 5th-grade girls and 7th-grade boys, focusing on player growth and lifelong athletic fundamentals.

Want to Join 7th Boys Red / 13U?

Every player needs an AAU membership to compete. Sign up, then reach out so we can get your player on the roster.

Sign Up Today
← All Teams

7th Grade Boys · Black

7th Boys Black

13UBlack Squad
7th Boys Black / 13U team photo — 2026 Young Shooterz

The Players

Roster

2Braylon Byerly-Townsend
4Carmelo Moore
8Carson Edwards
10Bentley Suarez
11Jocque Belton
23Joel Mwangi
24Jamere Bess
25Jackson Jarvis
30Mansell Twillie IV
35Cserdis Anderson

Game Film

Highlights

More highlights coming soon
More highlights coming soon
More highlights coming soon
More highlights coming soon

The Coach

The Coach

Coach Twillie III

Coach Twillie III

Head Coach • 7th Boys Black / 13U

Coach Mansell Twillie III is the heart of the Young Shooterz program. As head coach of the organization, he leads the High School Girls, 8th Grade Boys, 7th Grade Boys Black, and 5th Grade Boys squads — building players from the inside out, fundamentals on the court and character off of it. For Coach Twillie, the game is always bigger than the scoreboard.

Want to Join 7th Boys Black / 13U?

Every player needs an AAU membership to compete. Sign up, then reach out so we can get your player on the roster.

Sign Up Today
← All Teams

8th Grade Boys

8th Boys

14UThe Build
8th Boys / 14U team photo — 2026 Young Shooterz

The Players

Roster

0Codin Byrd
2Makhi Johnson
4Tristian Horton
7Roman Espindola
8Ashton Allen
10David Young
20Wesley Haubold
23Andrew Van Dorf
25Jack Caldwell
30Mansell Twillie IV

Game Film

Highlights

The Staff

The Coaches

Coach Twillie III

Coach Twillie III

Head Coach • 8th Boys / 14U

Coach Mansell Twillie III is the heart of the Young Shooterz program. As head coach of the organization, he leads the High School Girls, 8th Grade Boys, 7th Grade Boys Black, and 5th Grade Boys squads — building players from the inside out, fundamentals on the court and character off of it. For Coach Twillie, the game is always bigger than the scoreboard.

Coach Watts

Coach Watts

Assistant Coach • 8th Boys / 14U

Coach Watts' basketball background started from playing youth leagues through his senior year of varsity. He began his coaching journey with the Young Shooterz organization and spent three years as a high school girls' assistant coach. As a head coach, Watts has successfully led developmental 5th-grade girls and 7th-grade boys, focusing on player growth and lifelong athletic fundamentals.

Want to Join 8th Boys / 14U?

Every player needs an AAU membership to compete. Sign up, then reach out so we can get your player on the roster.

Sign Up Today
← All Teams

9th Grade Boys

9th Boys

15UThe Climb

The Players

Roster

1Damond Jones Jr
2David Barnett II
4Jayvion Johnson
10Aarion Ingram
12Drayden Freeney
13De'Mario Jackson
14Brayden Freeney
20Kamari Williams
25Nicholas Pulliam

Game Film

Highlights

More highlights coming soon
More highlights coming soon
More highlights coming soon
More highlights coming soon

The Staff

The Coaches

Coach Hawthorne

Coach Hawthorne

Head Coach • 9th Boys / 15U

I am Anthony Allen Hawthorne, and I have been in love with the game of basketball since I was an 8-year-old kid first picking up a ball. I played varsity basketball as a sophomore in high school and started all of my last three years. I was heavily recruited by Oklahoma and LSU, but I wanted to develop more, so I decided to play college ball at a junior college for two years. I ended up playing one year before a coaching scandal hit my freshman year. When that happened, I lost track of things and started out training kids after college. I always said that if I did not go pro, I would want to give back to the game of basketball by coaching, training, and mentoring kids on the come-up! I started training in 2012 and started coaching my own AAU team shortly after, around 2014. In August 2022, I started coaching at a private high school in Dallas by the name of The Winston High School. I am the middle school boys head coach and the varsity boys assistant coach. This school had never made the playoffs in its history before I came, and now we have been to the playoffs every year, including the Elite 8 in my second year there. I am beyond proud of all the work I have put in and the lives I’ve touched over time. In 2023–2024, I received a Coach of the Year award! I am currently still there as an assistant coach while I look to further my career in a head position somewhere, when God says it’s my turn! My passion for the game of basketball is unmatched in my opinion, and I truly enjoy coaching the younger generation!

Coach Pippins

Coach Pippins

Assistant Coach • 9th Boys / 15U

Bio coming soon.

Want to Join 9th Boys / 15U?

Every player needs an AAU membership to compete. Sign up, then reach out so we can get your player on the roster.

Sign Up Today
← All Teams

High School Girls

High School Girls

The Next Level
High School Girls team photo — 2026 Young Shooterz

The Players

Roster

0Taryn Word
5Kaleigh Twillie
8Ariana Mosley
11Sarai Griffin
15Zailey Crawford
23Lovie Patterson
32Zoey Brown
33Zarai Brown
34A'Miracle Johnson

Game Film

Highlights

More highlights coming soon
More highlights coming soon
More highlights coming soon
More highlights coming soon

The Staff

The Coaches

Coach Twillie III

Coach Twillie III

Head Coach • HS Girls

Coach Mansell Twillie III is the heart of the Young Shooterz program. As head coach of the organization, he leads the High School Girls, 8th Grade Boys, 7th Grade Boys Black, and 5th Grade Boys squads — building players from the inside out, fundamentals on the court and character off of it. For Coach Twillie, the game is always bigger than the scoreboard.

Coach Ray

Coach Ray

Assistant Coach • HS Girls

Hello, my name is Coach Ray. I am a lifelong competitor who has developed an elite basketball IQ through years of AAU competition and extensive film study. My basketball journey took me from Shawnee Heights High School to the collegiate level at Johnson County Community College, where I played shooting guard. Known for my dynamic shooting, ball-handling ability, and high-level understanding of the game, I pride myself on reading defenses, anticipating plays, and creating high-percentage scoring opportunities for my team. On the defensive end, I built a reputation as a relentless perimeter defender, earning MVP awards throughout my career, along with multiple All-Team and All-Tournament honors. My accomplishments also include being named the 2011 USSSA Mo-Kan Midwest Free Throw Champion and helping lead my team to both the Jayhawk East Conference Championship and NJCAA Region VI Championship in 2017. Through discipline, leadership, and a commitment to excellence on both ends of the floor, I established myself as a true two-way player and leader. I’ve been with Young Shooterz for the past nine months, and it has been a blessing to be part of such an amazing coaching staff. I’m excited to see what the Lord has in store for our team this season and seasons to come! I am committed to continuing my growth as both a coach and mentor.

Want to Join High School Girls?

Every player needs an AAU membership to compete. Sign up, then reach out so we can get your player on the roster.

Sign Up Today