2021 Staff and Coaches

John Lamb

Founder & President, Beyond Ball & Handle University

Learn More

John Lamb

Responsibilities/Duties:

• Oversees budgets, staff, player assignment and evaluating success of company

• Meeting with board members to assess the direction of the company

• Maintaining awareness, knowledge and order of the company

• Creating and maintaining relationships with coaches, players and parents

• Provide leadership and final decisions for the company

Joe Quiles

Chief Operating Officer

Learn More

Joe Quiles

Responsibilities/Duties:

• Second in command of operations for the organization

• Developing and executing basketball program strategy for overall business plan

• Support company’s mission and vision

• Establish management and objectives of company

• Provide overall leadership and guidance to all coaches, players and parents.

• Coach/Director 16U 24k Boys

Lai Pham

Executive Director

Learn More

Lai Pham

Responsibilities/Duties:

– Help assist and complete other duties assigned by leadership

– Make decisions in high volume environment in a professional manner

– Social media and marketing manager

– Ability to deal effectively with players and coaches

– Develop strategy and preserve order in all media content and Handle University

– Train clients to develop skills in basketball and maintain relationships within the company

– Establish management and objectives of company

– Oversees performance of other staff and assists where is necessary

– Manage schedules and communications of key company executives for Beyond Ball and Handle University

– Prioritize emails, phone calls, and gather documents to prepare meeting and coordinate any arrangements within company

Denny McDonnell

Director of Development

Learn More

Denny McDonnell

USA Certified Trainer, I coached high school boys basketball the last 10 years. Played at Buena Vista University. I have a passion for basketball and helping players become the best basketball version of themselves. Currently, I am a At-risk Coordinator at Des Moines North High School.

“I had the pleasure to coach with Coach Denny for 8 seasons at Des Moines North. His knowledge of the game and his passion for helping others is second to none. Coach Denny went above and beyond his coaching duties to help build the program at Des Moines North. He was a key in the development of several all conference players and future college players.”

Coach Chad Ryan Des Moines North

“Denny has worked with my son for years and I now have many friends who are also utilizing Denny’s knowledge of the game and passion for training. The missing element in today’s youth structure is fundamentals. That is where Denny excels and I see the difference in my son’s game. Denny continues to introduce drills that compliment his skills and prepares him for what is ahead. No lesson is the same. My son loves working with Denny and I really appreciate his positive approach.”

John Tracy

“Denny has trained my daughter, Lydia, for the past year. He has helped her gain confidence with her footwork and shot. His knowledge, patience and love for the game transcend to Lydia’s style of play. Lydia always looks forward to her training sessions with Denny!”

Chris Smith

Women’s Division Coaches

Erin Wittrock

Coach 14U 24k Girls

Learn More

Erin Wittrock

My coaching journey began in 2018 when I began working with 4th and 5th grade girls for a Recreational Center team. I started Beyond Ball in the winter of 2020, in which I helped coach the 6th grade 24k team. I was given the opportunity to work with the 8th grade 24k team for 2021 summer season.

I live in West Des Moines, IA and work for SHAZAM business full time, but I truly love spending time on the evening and weekends getting to work with you in a sport that I have a passion for. My love for the game of basketball developed in 6th grade playing with my school team, where I learned teamwork and discipline. It’s my goal to share the same love of basketball with the youth that I get to work with through Beyond Ball. I strive to be a role model for the girls and pass along the skills that they need to develop into responsible and respectable young women. Beyond Ball embodies that same mission. It’s the organization’s goal to transform the lives of the youth we work with both on and off the court, making it the perfect place to make a difference in young people’s lives.

Madison Meeks

Coach 12U 24K

Learn More

Madison Meeks

Hello! My name is Madison (Maddy) Meeks and this is my first season coaching at Beyond Ball. I have played basketball from 3rd grade through high school at South Tama County. Through basketball, I earned a scholarship to play at Iowa State University from 2012-2016. I enjoy teaching young athletes about the sport of basketball. Even more importantly, teaching life lessons through the sport. I hope through my coaching, the young ladies can become a better ball player, but more importantly a better person! We>Me

Ashley Ray

Coach 15U & 16U Next Up Girls

Learn More

Ashley Ray

Went to Ames High school and played basketball at Iowa Central Community college and Upper Iowa University. I work in management with Enterprise Holdings.

This is my second season coaching with Beyond Ball. This program truly goes BEYOND basketball. My goal is to not only coach and train these girls on the court, but to guide them into becoming successful young women by leading with grace and purpose.

Bailee Arnburg

Coach 15U 24K

Learn More

Bailee Anbburg

This is my 4th season of coaching at Beyond Ball. I played four years of ball at Grandview University while earning my bachelors degree. My day job includes being an event experience manager at Catch Des Moines. At beyond ball I coach middle school in the winter and high school 15U in the summer. I love having a front row seat to these kids growing, learning and experiencing success at this game!

Maya Gyamfi

Coach 14U 24K Girls

Learn More

Maya Gyamfi

“I grew up in Des Moines and went to high school at Urbandale, playing basketball almost all my life. I played at Kingdom Hoops for most of my career but ended it at All Iowa Attack. Then I was blessed with a D1 scholarship to UNI to play basketball. I look forward to helping these kids become better people more than anything and watching them grow and get better everyday.”

Rebecca Clair

Coach 13U 24K Girls

Learn More

Rebecca Clair

“My name is Rebecca Clair and I am from outside of Albany, NY. I’m currently a senior at Drake University here in Des Moines. I played basketball from elementary through high school and stayed connected to the game through Drake’s intramural program. I started coaching when I was in middle school and have coached grades K-8 over the years since then. I am excited to be part of the Beyond Ball program this season!”

Payton Keeney

Coach 11U 24K

Learn More

Payton Keeney

“This is my third season with Beyond Ball. The reason I choose Beyond Ball is because I believe in the culture and mission that has been built and continues to be the main focus everyday. Our mission of making others better means more than basketball it means helping out athletes better themselves in every aspect of their lives.mI have always had a strong desire to teach youth athletes the game of basketball.”

Roman Talbert

Coach

Learn More

Roman Talbert

“I’ve been working with kids for almost 10 years now and currently working for the YMCA for their after school program at Findley Elementary. I love basketball and working with kids. I am here to make them the best that they can be.”

Men’s Division Coaches

Lim Choul

Coach 10U 24k Boys and 11U 24k Boys

Learn More

Lim Choul

My name is Lim Choul and will be going into my 4th season of coaching at Beyond Ball. I have lived by the “making others better” slogan and always looking forward to bettering myself and the players on and off the court. I played Division 2 basketball at Chadron State College in the RMAC (Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) and high school at Dhariton High School. Currently, I am a male model while trying to become a better role model.

Jal Bijiek

Coach 14U 24k Boys

Learn More

Jal Bijiek

I will be going to my first year coaching and my 12th year involved with the journey of going Beyond Ball. I played college D1 basketball at UND and played high school ball at Des Moines North.

Rhett Darland

Coach 10U 24k Boys

Learn More

Rhett Darland

This is my first year coaching for Beyond Ball. I graduated high school from Clarion-Goldfield Dows before going to play for DMACC and now Simpson College. I am currently pursuing a degree in Physical Education & Health, so I believe in setting students up for success in the classrooms, on the basketball court and all other aspects of lives. Beyond Ball is a great organization because of the work ethic of everybody involved; from the staff to players, everybody encourages each other to approach each day with a positive mindset to improve their basketball skills. I’ve loved every second of working with this organization as a whole and I can’t wait for many more years of helping our athletes become basketball players and individuals.

Javy Valdez

Coach 16U Next Up Boys

Learn More

Javy Valdez

Originally from Venezuela, came to the US in 2008 to play basketball in college and then pursued my Masters degree at St. Ambrose University. This is my 3rd year coaching at beyond ball and I love teaching kids the right way of playing the game and become better outside the courts as well .

Jake Boyd

Coach 15U Next Up Boys

Learn More

Jake Boyd

This is my first year coaching with Beyond Ball. I also am in my 3rd year coaching basketball at University High School in Normal, IL. Played high school basketball at New London High School (IA) and college basketball at Dana College (NE).

Love the culture at Beyond Ball, as a coach and a parent of a player in the program, I feel like this is a place where we truly affect and connect with our players on and off the court. I am thankful for the opportunity to be a part of so many players basketball journeys through Beyond Ball and I look forward to more opportunities to make other better in the future! #MOB

Sean Lastovka

Coach 14U Vision Boys

Learn More

Sean Lastovka

This is my 4th year at Beyond Ball and I’ve been involved with our 17U teams every year. I played for John since 5th grade so I was more than happy to help out at Beyond Ball right after my freshman year of college. I played at ADM High School and Coe College where I recently graduated this spring. I wanted to start coaching because I had so many bad coaches growing up. There’s definitely a shortage of quality coachies in all of youth sports so I figured I would take the opportunity to give back where I could and give the kids a coach they would actually enjoy playing for. As someone who is currently playing college basketball it’s been much easier for me to connect to high school players because I just recently removed from the AAU scene and am able to give them advice to help them get to the next level. I encourage players to use the game of basketball as a tool to build the life skills that are required to be successful in whatever they choose to do after basketball.

Jared Sapp

Coach 17U Next Up Boys

Learn More

Jared Sapp

Solomon Keithley

Coach 13U Next Up Boys

Learn More

Solomon Keithley

My name is Solomon Keithley. Born and raised in Des Moines. Graduated from Des Moines Christian School. Attended Kirkwood CC, Spokane Falls CC and Iowa State University. Served as a Hospital Corpsman in the United States Navy for 4 ½ years. Coaching means a lot because I love encouraging, supporting and watching these kids games grow.

Vincent Hanna

Coach 17U Next Up Boys

Learn More

Vincent Hanna

My name is Vincent Hanna. I was born and raised in Des Moines, IA. I played basketball at Roosevelt High School, which is also where I have coached basketball for the past 8 years. I choose Beyond Ball because Beyond Ball strives for what I feel the world needs to strive for. Making Others Better! I am a firm believer that we cannot better ourselves without being a disciple and an example that will, in turn, make others better. And it starts with pouring into our Youth positivity, discipline, and most importantly, Love!

Nolan DePover

Coach 15U Grind Boys

Learn More

Nolan DePover

I have been at Beyond Ball for 3 years and am senior at Dakota State University. My entire life revolves around training myself and kids with a passion for the game. Seeing a child grow into themselves through the game of basketball is one of the most rewarding experiences I have blessed to been apart of as basketball has given so much to me. This program is home to me and serving through it has been life changing!

Nick Hawn

Coach 13U Grind Boys

Learn More

Nick Hawn

Hello, my name is Nick Hawn and I’ll be going into my second year of coaching at Beyond Ball. I enjoy being a mentor and working with the kids everyday that were in the same shoes I was back in the day along with teaching the kids valuable life lessons on and off the court. I currently play college basketball at Division 3 North Central College in the Collegiate Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) in Naperville, IL. I played high school ball at Johnston High School. I was originally apart of the founding Beyond Ball team back in 2017 and have been coached/trained as a player under Dr. Lamb for 5 years.

Connor Gholson

10U 24K Boys

Learn More

Connor Gholson

“I’m from Newton, Iowa. Graduated high school in 2017 as the all time leading scorer and three point shooter in school history. Played 4 years at Drake and graduated with a degree in finance in 2021. Parents are Troyt and Karla Gholson, I have two older sisters Kelsey and Erin. In my free time I like to play video games, continue to play basketball and spend time with my fiancée Kenna, and our cat Linda.

“I’m excited to get the chance to impact the next generation of athletes, students, and people through basketball.”

Taymon Klinkefus

Coach 12U Next Up Boys

Learn More

Taymon Klinkefus

“…From Harlan, Iowa, worked for Iowa State basketball and under Coach Prohm for 2 years, also played basketball and AAU all throughout high school, looking forward to meeting all the wonderful young hoopers and their families and helping them get better every single day. My future plan is to graduate college and accept a graduate position for college basketball.”