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The Winning Ways Team

 

Tom Kane - President of Winning Ways of SWFLA.

Winning Ways, Inc. was founded in 1992 in Orlando, Florida by Barry Mestel. In those early days, Coach Kane helped guide and direct the growth of Winning Ways with Coach Mestel. "Our Goals Reach Much Higher Than 10 Feet” has been both the slogan and vision for Winning Ways. We focus on taking student athlete's to the next level, both on the court and in the classroom. Coaching people to optimize their talent as individuals and as a team is paramount to the goals and vision of Winning Ways. Winning Ways focuses on the fundamentals of basketball while stressing the fundamentals of life.

Tom Kane is President/CEO of Winning Ways of Southwest Florida. Tom attended East Stroudsburg University, majoring in physical education. His 20 years in basketball combined with his business experience prompted the vision of Winning Ways Basketball in SWFLA and Pa.

• Partner – VP Winning Ways Pro International, Inc
• CBA & European Pro League Evaluator, Scout & Combine Director
• Coached numerous National Elite Teams
• Shooting Instructor to High School and College Athletes
• Over 20 years of Basketball Coaching Experience
• Director of Winning Ways Basketball Academy
• National Clinic & Camp Clinician for Nike Sports Camps.
• National Consultant, Speaker, Trainer
• Member of WBCA
• NCAA Certified Coach

Coach Patrick Knapp - Director of Training and Player Development - Camp Director

Coach Knapp has spent 35 years in the game of basketball as a coach and educator. 30 of those years have been at the Division I level at the University of Notre Dame, New Mexico State University, Georgetown University, the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Hawaii. Twenty-six of those years were spent as the head coach at NMSU, GU and UP. He has over 330 Division I victories and was named Coach of the Year in his conference 3x’s. Twenty-two of Knapp’s college players have gone on to pro careers--- two in the WNBA and twenty over in Europe.

 

“ I believe the first thing a coach must do to teach at any level is to foster a love for the game and a passion for working out and mastering the fundamentals. Listen and Hustle is my motto and from this premise a player will improve, make friends and enjoy the game of basketball to its fullest “

 

Caitlyn Mitryk - Player Training and Development, Camp Asst. Director

A 2010 graduate with a degree in sport management, Mitryk worked as a sports information and marketing student assistant in her two years at UT. She also competed for the Spartan basketball team, where the team posted a two-year record of 52-11 with a pair of NCAA tournament appearances and two Sunshine State Conference titles.

The 2010 SSC Defensive Player of the Year was also an all-SSC selection and member of the SSC Commissioner’s Honor Roll with a perfect 4.0 GPA in her final semester. While serving as the team captain, Mitryk was also a member of the Dean’s List and earned a 2009 NACDA Academic Achievement Award.

Prior to attending Tampa, Mitryk attended the University of South Florida for two years as she also played basketball for the Bulls. At USF, she earned a pair of Big East Conference Academic Achievement Awards and played in 41 games in two years.

A graduate of Lake Mary High School, Mitryk originally hails from Lake Mary, Fla., and led her high school team to the 2006 Florida 6A state championship. The state championship all-tournament team member was also an all-state selection while earning a McDonald’s High School All-American nomination.

 

Kelly Stutz - Player Training and Development, Elite Girls Team Coach

Kelly brings over 10 years of college and high school coaching experience to the Winning Ways coaching staff. She has served as an assistant coach at NCAA schools Ashland University (Ohio) 2000-2004 and West Virginia Wesleyan College, and as head coach at the University of the Ozarks (Arkansas).

As a graduate assistant at West Virginia Wesleyan, Stutz was the school’s Midwest recruiting coordinator and was also in charge of perimeter player development. The Bobcats advanced to the WVIAC semi-finals both seasons Stutz was there as a graduate assistant. While at Ashland, Stutz was the program’s recruiting coordinator and was in charge of perimeter player development. During her four years at Ashland, she was fortunate enough to coach five different 1,000 point scorers. Ashland also had success as a team, and made their first ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 2004, advancing to the second-round. As head coach at the University of the Ozarks, Stutz made national headlines by orchestrating one of the best turnarounds in the country. In two years, the Eagles’ record improved by ten victories, and the 2005-2006 squad advanced to post-season play for the first time in six years.

Since taking over at Cypress Lake High School in 2008, she had helped guide the Lady Panthers to two consecutive district titles and has an overall record of 45-10.

Stutz earned a Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) from West Virginia Wesleyan College in 2000. She graduated magna cum lade from Muskingum University (Ohio) with a double major of Political Science and History along with Secondary Education Certification in 1998. While at Muskingum, Stutz played both basketball and soccer. She was a member of the 1996 Lady Muskies basketball team that went to the NCAA Tournament. She still holds several Muskingum records and one OAC record in soccer.

 

BJ Ivey - Player Training & Development - Camp Director

BJ Ivey is currently the Head Boy’s Basketball Coach at Riverview High School in Sarasota Florida, where he was a stand out player for the Rams. BJ played at Manatee Community College for one year where he was named to the Sunshine State Conference All Freshman Team. Ivey then received a full scholarship to play basketball for the University of South Carolina-Aiken, in the Peach Belt Conference. In 2004 BJ returned to Sarasota and became the Assistant Director of Suncoast Youth Basketball where he helped direct youth basketball leagues and camps. In 2006 Ivey accepted the Head Girl’s Basketball position at Riverview High School. In his three years at the helm Riverview won back to back district championships in 2008 and 2009 and reaching the Regional Finials in 2008. In four years as head coach Ivey has amassed 81 wins and has reached the State Playoffs every season.

            Ivey finished his Bachelor of Sciences in History from the University of South Florida in 2005. Ivey went on to receive a Masters Degree in Curriculum & Instruction from National Louis University in 2007 and a Masters of Education Leadership Specialist Degree from National Louis University in 2010. Ivey is currently teaching American History Honors and American Government at Riverview High School.

            Ivey has over 8 years experience in running basketball camps and clinics in Sarasota Florida. Ivey has also been on the camp staff at nationally renowned camps such as: 5 Star, USA-Super Select, Blue-Chip High Exposure, and the National Point Guard Camp.

 

Zoran Viskovic -Player Training and Development

Zoran had a long successful professional basketball career in Europe, following a stellar career in the NCAA. Zoran graduated from Valparaiso University where he led his team to 3 NCAA Tournament appearances.  During that time, Valparaiso was considered a Cinderella team making it all the way to the Sweet 16.  At 6'11" Zoran was voted All Conference multiple years and led the league in blocked shots.  Shortly after graduation Zoran was invited to several NBA camps.  Zoran decided to return home to Europe where he played in the top professional leagues.  Zoran has played in China, Poland, Slovenia, Croatia, Italy, Germany, France and Greece.  Zoran has seen the world! As a young basketball player Zoran won numerous Croatian and European Championships playing for the Croatian National team.  Zoran brings to Winning Ways an incredible wealth of experience and knowledge.  Zoran's focus on fundamentals is a true asset in taking his skills on the court and teaching them now as a coach. 

 

 

Alexa Kane - Player Training and Development

Graduating in May 2008 with a degree in Psychology from the University of Tampa, Alexa was the Captain of the Women's Basketball Team from 2006 to 2008. She led the Spartans to three consecutive NCAA regional appearances. In addition she was named to the SSC All-Conference Team and was voted Most Valuable Player in the 2007 SSC Conference Tournament and led the conference in total assists with a average of 4.2 assists per game. Alexa is a successful graduate of the Nike "So you want to be a College Coach" program and has joined the coaching staff at University of Central Missouri.

 

 

 

Alex Kwiecinska - Consultant to Winning Ways Player Training and Development

Alex brings an immense amount of knowledge to the game due to her playing, coaching, and directing experience. As a player she began her college career at Colby (KS) Community College.  She then transferred, and continued playing at Central Florida Community College in Ocala, FL where she earned an Associates in Arts degree.  Alex then went on to play her final two seasons at Florida Gulf Coast University in Ft. Myers, FL, and assisted her team to a 60-11 record over the combined two seasons. In her final season she helped the Eagles qualify for the national tournament where they advanced to the semi finals.  She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management.