Before each season, the Gysta Group Lady Cardinals Girls Basketball Club conducts tryouts for all ability levels. Click on the pdf above for information on our upcoming tryout dates/times and locations.
Gysta Group Lady Cardinals Girls Basketball Club does not charge a tryout fee.
All players are asked to come 20 minutes before the tryout so parents can fill out proper paperwork. If your daughter is unable to attend a scheduled tryout, please let us know by emailing Coach Coleman at coachcoleman32@gmail.com
As part of the evaluation process, we will try to watch each player interested in our program play during our scrimmage.
If your daughter cannot attend a scheduled tryout and wants to try out for one of our teams, please email Coach Coleman. Please include in your email your child’s name, grade, and any team your child is currently playing for.
Specific questions regarding tryouts or the evaluation process can be directed to Coach Coleman at coachcoleman32@gmail.com
Lady Cardinals FAQ's
HOW MANY TEAMS WILL THERE BE?
We will host 1 or 2 teams, occasionally 3 or 4 teams, in each grade level. The number of teams formed is determined during the tryout season. We form teams when we have the appropriate level of competitive talent and experienced and qualified coaches who fit the Lady Cardinal philosophy.
HOW ARE PLAYERS SELECTED?
Players are selected by a committee of coaches who lead the tryouts. Players who demonstrate they are ready for travel level competition will be selected for upper-level competition. For grades 7th through 11th, players are selected according to ability and commitment.
When there are multiple teams in each age group, where developmentally appropriate and logistically possible, the teams will practice and work together as an academy. If players are selected for a team within an academy, they may be given opportunities to play on a different inter-club team for leagues or tournaments. We believe this approach provides players the opportunity to build confidence and to develop and mature specific tactical or technical skills by playing on different teams with different skill levels allowing game-condition focus on skill areas needing development. As the competition and skill level of tournaments or league increases, so will the criteria for playing on the teams that participate in them. Selection to participate in those events will be mainly for the players that have demonstrated the commitment and ability to compete at the highest level. Player skill, availability, development goal and tournament strength are key factors in determining the number of teams, player placement and player invitations to specific tournaments. We will strive to take as many teams as possible to National, Regional, State and Local Tournaments. Any and all teams, if the coach feels it is developmentally appropriate, may participate in appropriate level National, Regional or State Tournaments.
For our highest-level team, Elite, players are selected by invitation and recruitment only. Elite teams are only offered at the high school grade levels.
HOW AND WHEN ARE PLAYERS NOTIFIED OF TEAM SELECTIONS?
Players selected to a team will be notified after the tryout or will receive notification by email from the coach. Team selections begin after the last tryout date for the grade level. Please continue to check primary and secondary email in-boxes for these emails.
Because players are selected in team order, the selection process can take up to a week, sometimes longer. Coaches do their best to notify players as quickly as possible, but patience is required.
Once all team selections are completed for a grade level, an email will be sent from our Program Manager, notifying players that grade level team selections are complete. Any player not selected for a team is encouraged to participate in our training sessions, Lady Cardinal Skills Academy, which are held every season. Our Skills Academy is led by the top coaches and trainers and the best way for players to develop their technical and tactical skills sets and prepare for the next tryout season.
HOW IS PLAYING TIME AND POSITION DETERMINED?
Players are guaranteed to play, on average, a minimum of 20% of each league or tournament game, and 40% of each scrimmage. This minimum playing time may be adjusted higher based on the level of the specific team in the club. If a coach sees fit to raise this minimum, it will be communicated to the team at the beginning of a season. All playing time concerns must be addressed by the player to the coach. Additional playing time in league games will be determined based on: 1) Commitment, 2) Fitness, 3) Attitude, 4) Effort, and 5) Contribution to outcome of the game being played.
WHAT IS THE COMMITMENT REQUIRED?
Coaches will discuss commitment expectations when offering players spots on a team. We support and encourage athletes to play other sports, but during the spring season, which is the in-season for travel basketball, Lady Cardinal program expects full commitment from each player selected to a team. Lady Cardinal program expects full commitment from each player selected to a team.
WHEN AND WHERE ARE PRACTICES?
Practice schedules are not determined until Director of the Lady Cardinals receives primary allocation of gym space and signed contracts. Often, this does not happen until a week prior to the start of the season. The number of practices and the requirement for attendance at practices and games will necessitate a very high degree of flexibility as well as dedication on the part of all team players and their parents. If a player is selected and cannot make such a commitment, please do not accept a spot on the team. If you are accepted on the team and cannot maintain your commitments to the team, the coach may limit your playing time to reflect your level of commitment.
WHEN AND WHERE ARE GAMES?
Coaches will provide tentative tournament schedules upon selection to a team. In general, tournament schedules are not available until a few days before tournament start.
In the summer, some teams play a combination of tournaments and leagues. This will consist of weeknight and weekend play, both local and overnight.
HOW MUCH DOES IS COST?
$150 Lady Cardinal Commitment Fee, due upon selection to a team. This fee confirms player acceptance to join the team and must be paid within 24 hours of acceptance. Failure to pay may result in release of roster spot. This fee covers the administrative and operational expenses of the organization, including background checks, safety certifications, insurance, AAU, YBOA, and NAYS membership, etc.
$110 Uniform Fee, due when uniform is ordered.
$450 - $950 Team Fees, due within two weeks of first practice. To keep team fees as low as possible, team fees are determined by the coach and vary from team to team. The fees are dependent upon the number of players selected, the number of practices per week, the tournaments selected, and coach and trainer fees. Coaches will provide families with an estimate of team fees when inviting players to join a team.
DO TEAMS FUNDRAISE?
Teams may fundraise to offset some of the team expenses. As a member of a team, every player is expected to volunteer and participate in any fundraising activity.
Financial refunds
Please be aware that financial refunds will not be given to any player, their family or associated person, partner, colleague or alike should the player choose to leave their Lady Cardinal team. Your acceptance of a place on this team is an opportunity many others would like to have, and all team fees are calculated on a per player basis. Therefore, you are expected to take financial responsibility for any monies owed to the team prior to your departure. No refunds of any type will be given should you choose to break your commitment to the team. This includes corporate and/or individual donations and funds raised. Donations given to individuals are for the purpose of covering expenses while that player is on the team. If the player leaves the team, no monies paid, donated, or raised will be refunded.
If you have questions about team expectations that have not been answered here, please contact Program Manager, Keith Coleman, coachcolemen32@gmail.com .
.
Considered One of the TOP Training Coaches in the Country.
Gysta Group Lady Cardinals Basketball strives to provide all athletes with the best experience that allows them to develop and improve through high-quality practices and competition. We believe it is essential to develop each player's fundamental skills of the game, along with the development of the Lady Cardinal Way - Respect, Integrity, Desire, Excellence, and a Relentless mindset. With a competitive, fun environment, we embody a constructive positive learning atmosphere, along with an elite level of basketball training. Our end goal at Lady Cardinals is to produce lasting memories, long term participation, where dreams and goals are met.
As a member of the Gysta Group Lady Cardinals, you will have access to a wealth of resources, opportunities, and assistance through our highly experienced and professional staff. We challenge players to focus on success and fulfillment of both on and off-the-court achievements.
The Lady Cardinals is home to an incredibly storied and tradition-rich history. In addition to boasting a National Championships in 2005 and 31 Summer League tournament championships, the Lady Cardinals have help shaped the game of basketball by helping their coach Keith Coleman invent the WAVA System, Number and Color game control system and an Individual player training system.
The Lady Cardinal's success extends well beyond the competitive venues, the players annually ranking among the nation's leaders in student-athlete and a 100% graduation success rate. Many lady cardinals received awards from their schools from MVP to most improved player.
The first time the nickname "Lady Cardinals" was used for a summer girls basketball program, as far as can be determined, was the September 12, 2003, in a flyer sent out to local Texas high schools recruiting girls to come and play.
The Cardinal is to be the official mascot of the Lady Cardinals basketball program. This was decided by the founder Keith Coleman in memory of his late mother, because it was her favorite bird. Also, it is the state bird for the state of Virginia where coach Coleman grew up. The Logo was changed in 2023 to recognize the 20 years of girl's basketball.
In October of 2003 six members of the Lady Cardinal participated in pickup game on a Sunday at Kingwood College, in Kingwood, Texas. With there being no official uniforms at that time, the players wore white t-shirts with a number written on them with a marker. The colors of red and white were the official colors in 2003. The colors of black and blue were added in 2010.
The Lady Cardinals student-athletes and coaches have annually earned numerous individual honors at the district, regional and national levels for both academic and athletic prowess. For more than 20 years , high school athletic department has annually presented major awards to the Lady Cardinal players at their annual award’s banquets. The Lady Cardinals have won over 61 tournament awards and one National Championship.
Over 60 percent of the Lady Cardinals go on to play college basketball, and 99 percent go on to play high school basketball.
Universities and colleges where Lady Cardinals continued their basketball careers:
· University of Oklahoma,
· Wichita State University,
· Oklahoma State University,
· Clarke University,
· Dallas Baptist University,
· University of Houston,
· Park University,
· Central Methodist University,
· William Woods University,
· Schreiner University,
· Grand View University,
· Simpson University,
· Baker University,
· Sterling College,
· Mid-America Christian University,
· Several Junior Colleges around the country and the list goes on
The tradition of the Lady Cardinals continues. The rallying cry of "One team, One sound" came from a time out during a primetime tournament in 2008. During that timeout Coach Coleman needed his team to dig deep to hold on to a lead of only 6 points with all of his starters fouled out. That spirit is still the rally cry of the Lady Cardinals today.
Many successful players and teams have historically attributed their achievements to hard work. From our first teams to our current teams, hard work has been a common thread that ties them all together. Sweat, tears, and dreams are the key ingredients to help our players achieve their ambitions.
Firstly, sweat is the result of hard work. It is the physical manifestation of every player's effort to achieve our team's goals.
Secondly, tears are also a part of the journey towards success. It is not uncommon to experience setbacks, failures, and disappointments along the way. Tears are a natural response to these challenges and can be a powerful motivator to keep pushing forward. When we cry, we acknowledge our emotions and allow ourselves to feel them.
Crying is a way of showing that we care about the game of basketball and are invested in our teammates' success. It is a way of building connections and relationships with others who share our ambitions of winning.
Finally, dreams are the foundation of all outstanding achievements. Dreams inspire us to push beyond our limits and pursue something greater than ourselves. Dreams give us a sense of purpose and direction. They provide a framework for our actions and decisions and guide us toward our goals… Let's Go, Lady Cardinals!
Our staff and coaches are the best! From college players to head high school and college coaches, we are the new standard.
With our team of professional strength and agility trainers, along with our nutritional and physical therapy partnerships, we are the total package when it comes to developing elite athletes.
Be guided through the recruiting process from former collegiate coaches. We will assist placing players in the best position to receive a college scholarship.
Delilah is a skilled big man who owns excellent touch around the rim. Delilah has a terrific feel for the game and is a good passer. She also is a capable ball-handler who can take the ball off the defensive glass and lead the break for a couple of dribbles. Delilah has the potential to develop into an elite inside-and-out threat in the f
Delilah is a skilled big man who owns excellent touch around the rim. Delilah has a terrific feel for the game and is a good passer. She also is a capable ball-handler who can take the ball off the defensive glass and lead the break for a couple of dribbles. Delilah has the potential to develop into an elite inside-and-out threat in the frontcourt who is reliable in isolated situations in the half-court. She will also bring value in the high post and excel in various offensive actions at a high level. By her Junior year, she should also be a reliable stretch four for college scouts. .
Jaylin is the most explosive athletic guard that I have seen in a long time. She is highly functional with her changes of speed, direction, her body control, and her instincts on how to create separation and get to her spots. Defensively, she has extreme potential versatility that may eventually be her calling card, even if it is not yet
Jaylin is the most explosive athletic guard that I have seen in a long time. She is highly functional with her changes of speed, direction, her body control, and her instincts on how to create separation and get to her spots. Defensively, she has extreme potential versatility that may eventually be her calling card, even if it is not yet the emphasis of her game. Jaylin is not especially vocal but commands her teammates’ respect when she does talk. Similarly, with her natural tools, she is capable of imposing her will on the game, on both ends of the floor, probably more so than she does now. Jayliin will project on many college scouts boards in the coming years.
Chloe plays with a lot of pace going north to south in the open floor, gets downhill, and can be both agile and crafty, finishing inside the lane. Defensively, she has the physical tools and mental approach that should both translate to the next level. She tends to have an aggressive playmaking mentality on that end and will need to be sl
Chloe plays with a lot of pace going north to south in the open floor, gets downhill, and can be both agile and crafty, finishing inside the lane. Defensively, she has the physical tools and mental approach that should both translate to the next level. She tends to have an aggressive playmaking mentality on that end and will need to be slightly more disciplined in terms of settling down and getting her shots, but again, that isn’t unusual for a player of her age and talent. Her untapped upside will come from evolving into a more efficient offensive player as she becomes as aggressive offensively as she is defensively. She is learning to develop a high basketball IQ. She is a prospect who can bring something to the table for various college programs in the future.
Nixon is as versatile as they come. She has the skills and feel of the game to excel in any offense, and with her textbook shooting stroke, she has the capability to be a knockdown three-point shooter. The best area of her game is her passing, as her vision is above average, and she is willing to find the open man. She is unselfish to a f
Nixon is as versatile as they come. She has the skills and feel of the game to excel in any offense, and with her textbook shooting stroke, she has the capability to be a knockdown three-point shooter. The best area of her game is her passing, as her vision is above average, and she is willing to find the open man. She is unselfish to a fault, but she plays the game the right way. Nixon is a well-rounded athlete with mobility and agility at her size, that makes her fluid on both ends of the floor. She is one for college scouts to watch.
Only girls' program in Texas to win a true National Championship 2005 in Maui, Hawaii
People come to watch us play.