CONGRATULATIONS!!! To the following members of the WTBA family---signed letter of intent to play College Basketball
Barbara Scott Kolb just sign a letter of intent that included a full scholarship to the University of North Texas. We are proud of you! Great to have her close to the DFW area.
The recipient is chosen from high school athletes in Texas with this year having over 4000 nominations. Kolb received the evening’s last award to a standing ovation of over 1500 banquet attendees.
The presentation of the award was given by Gold Medalist Carl Lewis, ESPN/NBC Commentator Lewis Johnson, Olympic Champion Joe DeLoach, and founders of Lay Witnesses for Christ International Dr. Sam Mings and his wife Sharon. Included in Kolb’s acceptance speech, she thanked Coach Carlos Ratliff for his mentoring and training, as well as Argyle basketball Coach Steve Schmidt for rejuvenating her love of the game.
Next year, Kolb will be playing point guard for East Texas Baptist University.
Jan / Feb 2011 “You tell it. You’re so much better at telling it than me. I always leave out too many details.” Landry Jones scoots back deeper into the couch in the middle of FCA Area Representative Kent Bowles’ sports room. He’s surrounded by everything a college athlete could find comforting: a ping pong table, framed college football jerseys, a gumball machine and his girlfriend: OU shooting guard Whitney Hand.
He says this not because he doesn’t want to tell the story himself, but because he’s humble about it—almost sheepish—and he doesn’t want to blow his own whistle.
“OK,” says Hand, her grin widening by the second. She can hardly wait to dive in and brag on Jones’ brilliant scheme. (read full article here)
2009 WTBA College Signees, School Changes & News - View the 2009
Signees & more Whitney Hand - Plays in National WBCA Coaches All-American Game "....After Whitney Hand hit a three-pointer to take a 5-4 lead with 17:57 remaining in the first half, the Red Team never trailed in the remainder of the game..." Click Here for more.
Girls Basketball on the rise
Over the last decade, girls basketball has seen a rise in both the athleticism of the players as well as the quality of instruction provided to them.
WTBA
Goals:
Develop
character and skill into
each athlete
These
are fundamental tools that
take average athletes and
make them into great
athletes.
Develop
great enthusiasm and passion
in each athlete which helps
to overcome any lack in
talent
Encourage
athletes to play beyond their potential
Get athletes
ready for the next
level
Build
confidence by improving
the fundamental skill level
of each athlete
Inspire
athletes to work harder
and play smart
Develop dynamic
passing skills
Acquire POWER
MOVES to add
depth to each athlete's
game
Improve
shooting percentage
Refine
ball handling skills to enhance
defensive and offensive
play
Transform
athletes into more intensive,
aggressive, focused players
Carlos Ratliff Known
for the ability to build programs
with strong emphasis placed
on fundamentals,
and the refining of skills
required to becoming a competitive,
team player. A
successful coach whose passion
and love for the game of
girl's basketball energizes athletes
to, “Work
hard now, to make it easy later.”
Carlos Ratliff is a builder
of young men and ladies. He emphasizes
an up tempo game with the use of multiple
defenses. He has always been a student
of the game in the way that he listens
to the wisdom of other coaches and
professional athletes who are successful,
and enhances his coaching abilities
by staying up on the latest techniques.
Three Types of Players: Scared, Tentative,
and Confident
Watch the 6-minute video (left) to
see how Carlos Ratliff inspires his
players to play with passion and
intensity.
Professional
Accomplishments
2007
State Champion- TAPPS 4A - Faith
Christian School
2006 Final 4-
TAPPS 3A - Faith Christian School
2005 Final 4- TAPPS 3A - Harvest
Christian Academy
2004 Runner-Up State Champion
- TAPPS 3A Lake Country Christian
2004 Voted
by Lay Witness For Christ -
Christian Coach of the Year
2003
State Champion - TAPPS 3A - Lake
Country Christian
State Playoffs
17 times
Helped develop 30
+ college players
Total career wins/losses-
577/189= .753
2008 Sponsor a Player Program
West
Texas Basketball Association (WTBA)
offers a sponsorship program that
enables your son, daughter or student
of your choice the opportunity to
advance in his/her basketball skills.
These programs will take your student
to a higher level in quick motion.
The program enables you to sponsor a student and make a great investment in their
future. It will prepare them not only in basketball skills but life skills as
well. It is the highest level of training of its kind in the Dallas / Fort Worth
and surrounding areas. For more details (click here)
"WTBA is a great skill and confidence builder for our daughter Madison Middle. We really appreciate all the great people there who are very nice and care about each player. It is a blessing to have coaches who put in the time and effort to bring in college scouts and college coaches to watch practices! We know it has helped her to receive a college scholarship to play women's basketball at Oklahoma Christian University! Thank you for everything!"
Bobby and Trish Middle
"The environment for mastering basketball skills that has been created by Coach Ratliff's WTBA staff is excellent for a youngster seeking to ascend to the next level, and beyond. Whether your child is male or female, 10 years of age or 17, they are certain to benefit from the professional guidance offered by WTBA and the positive atmosphere that administers to both the physical and mental demands of the game of basketball. Your "collective group" has been a big help to us."
Steve
“Coach Ratliff's basketball program has been outstanding in every regard. Carlos puts in extensive time and effort to improve his players and our two boys have grown in skill and confidence on and off the court due to this basketball training program. Our boys have looked forward to each practice and they leave each practice talking about the great experience that they have had. I would highly recommend Coach Ratliff to any parent that wants their child to learn basketball and life skills.”
Brett Christensen
Hey Coach Ratliff,
I just wanted to make sure and help you out with your brochure. You have improved my game a ton and helped me realize what it takes to play college basketball. I'm looking forward to playing at Hendrix next year and you have truly helped me get there. You helped me realize the value of fundamentals in basketball.
Caty
"The hands on training by Carlos and his college players that teach not only my daughter but the rest of the kids is priceless. His attention to detail and his Christian concepts put him on another level from the rest of the basketball trainers in the state. My job takes me all over the country covering elite basketball programs in high schools and colleges and I can say Carlos provides fundamental drills and skill teachings that you only see at that level. Carlos and his staff have done a fantastic job taking my daughter's skills and improving them to a level that will one day provide her with a Div. I scholarship."
Mike Alexander/Executive Producer "Sports Stars of Tomorrow with Pat Summerall"
"Coach Ratliff is THE authority on teaching and refining basketball skills to young men and women. Our daughter's ability to compete and excel is the direct result of Coach Ratliff's superior teaching. The ultimate test is one in which you ask yourself if you would do it all over again and my answer is “Yes"! As soon as my son is old enough, we will be enrolling him, as well!”
Joe Croce
"Sarah has only been playing competitive basketball for four years. We decided to have her work with WTBA to improve her shooting and ball handling skills. We could not be more satisfied. After working one summer with WTBA, Sarah's shooting and ball handling skills improved substantially and her free throw shooting improved by more than 20%. Sarah has received several Division I and II offers before beginning her senior year in high school and we feel much of her success is because of Coach Ratliff and the WTBA program."
David Shelton
"After many years of playing all sports, Savannah decided she wanted to see how far she could go by focusing on one sport ....Basketball. After a good bit of research and asking many people knowledgeable of the Basketball Community who and where would be the best place for our daughter to fine tune her Basketball IQ and Skills, we came across Carlos Ratliff and the West Texas Basketball Academy. After four weeks at the Academy, Savannah had made enormous progress in all areas of the game and continues to train with Carlos and the Academy. She has been an ALL STATE player her freshman and sophomore year, plays for Team Texas 91' Ron Gathright, and continues to go to WTBA every chance she gets. I can't say enough good things about Carlos and the Academy and recommend anyone who has a daughter or child that has raw talent but needs to sharpen their skills and Basketball IQ to check out West Texas Basketball Academy. It has been one of the the most important moves Savannah Smith has made in the past two years."
Chris Christian
"Carlos Ratliff is an incredible trainer, coach, and mentor to those he teaches. His passion and wisdom has matured our daughter Katelyn both on and off the court. He has brought her from the bench to senior guard position at Red Oak High School. He has improved her speed, ball handling and confidence to drive in to the goal. His expert instruction has helped her develop a near-perfect arc at the free throw line as well as an impressive three-point shot outside the circle. Coach Ratliff has taught her basketball combined with life skills in order to help get her to the next level. Although we live about an hour away from where most training sessions take place, we count it a blessing as well as an investment for Katelyn to get the quality of training offered by WTBA."
Mark and Melody Ginn
Submit your student's information, photos and/or
recommendations about Carlos Ratliff and WTBA to:
c-ratliff@sbcglobal.net
Disclaimer:
By submitting your student's name, information or photo(s) to WTBA, you are giving your permission for them to be used for WTBA promotional material including publication on this web site.
For more information, contact:
Carlos Ratliff
(817) 689-0779
Develop
character and skill into
each athlete
"After many years of playing all sports, Savannah decided she wanted to see how far she could go by focusing on one sport ....Basketball. After a good bit of research and asking many people knowledgeable of the Basketball Community who and where would be the best place for our daughter to fine tune her Basketball IQ and Skills, we came across Carlos Ratliff and the West Texas Basketball Academy. After four weeks at the Academy, Savannah had made enormous progress in all areas of the game and continues to train with Carlos and the Academy. She has been an ALL STATE player her freshman and sophomore year, plays for Team Texas 91' Ron Gathright, and continues to go to WTBA every chance she gets. I can't say enough good things about Carlos and the Academy and recommend anyone who has a daughter or child that has raw talent but needs to sharpen their skills and Basketball IQ to check out West Texas Basketball Academy. It has been one of the the most important moves Savannah Smith has made in the past two years."