Brian Davis

Brian Davis

Co-Founder / Co-Owner
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Brian Davis

Octavius Parker

Co-Founder / Co-Owner
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Illinois Central Elite – ICE AAU Travel Teams are for players who want to improve their basketball skills and their basketball knowledge (IQ) on the court. At the end of each travel team season your player will show tremendous strides in improving their basketball skills and basketball knowledge.

Illinois Central Elite – ICE is co-owned by Brian Davis and Octavius Parker. Brian and Octavius are back together in the gym coaching travel teams! Brian has over 20 years of experience in the youth sports industry as president of Joy Of The Game – Rising Stars Basketball Club in Deerfield, IL. Brian coached and trained players on travel teams from Pre-K to college basketball players.

Octavius is the owner of Optimum Performance where he currently trains boys and girls players from 1st to 5th Grade, junior high school, high school, college and professionals in group training, clinics and camps all year round.

Illinois Central Elite – ICE coaching staff has over 25 years of experience in coaching travel teams and training athletes to become better basketball players. Skill Training along with an experienced coaching staff is the right combination for your athlete to improve their game with Illinois Central Elite – ICE.

Illinois Central Elite – ICE AAU Travel Teams are for players who want to improve their basketball skills and their basketball knowledge (IQ) on the court. At the end of each travel team season your player will show tremendous strides in improving their basketball skills and basketball knowledge.

Illinois Central Elite – ICE is co-owned by Brian Davis and Octavius Parker. Brian and Octavius are back together in the gym coaching travel teams! Brian has over 20 years of experience in the youth sports industry as president of Joy Of The Game – Rising Stars Basketball Club in Deerfield, IL. Brian coached and trained players on travel teams from Pre-K to college basketball players.

Octavius is the owner of Optimum Performance where he currently trains boys and girls players from 1st to 5th Grade, junior high school, high school, college and professionals in group training, clinics and camps all year round.

Illinois Central Elite – ICE coaching staff has over 25 years of experience in coaching travel teams and training athletes to become better basketball players. Skill Training along with an experienced coaching staff is the right combination for your athlete to improve their game with Illinois Central Elite – ICE.

Brian Davis

Brian Davis

Co-Founder / Co-Owner
Email

Brian Davis

Octavius Parker

Co-Founder / Co-Owner
Email

Coaches

Joel Dangel

Coach Dangel has 10 plus years of basketball and baseball coaching experience with various youth programs in the Gurnee Area.

Coach Dangel graduated from Warren Township High School where he played basketball and baseball. He continued his athletic career playing, basketball and baseball, at Trinity International University.

Coach Dangel has a passion to help children learn the game of basketball and grow their skills in a team environment.


Michael Casper

Michael Casper

Michael was a two-year starter at Loyola Academy. He was co-captain of the CCL North league champions in 1992. He left Loyola Academy as one of the school’s all-time leading scorers and after his career at Loyola Academy, Michael accepted a scholarship to Northeastern Illinois University.

While at Northeastern Illinois Michael was a 2.5-year starter that was known for his hard-nosed play and defensive tenacity. He was a very dynamic player that could go inside out. Michael could play power forward or small forward because of his tremendous exceptional footwork and great touch from behind the arc. His high basketball IQ and athleticism are what allowed him to play all 5 positions on the floor. As co-captain, Michael had a no-nonsense approach to the game that led Northeastern Illinois to its most successful season in school history.

From the age of 17, Michael has coached various camps across the country. He has successfully coached high school and middle school for over 20 years. Michael has had numerous players go on to receive college scholarships. His love for the game is what motivates him to develop young players to their fullest potential.


Mike Cole

Mike Cole

Coach Mike Cole, played 6 years locally and professionally. Currently certified by IHSA USA basketball. 6 years experience coaching various AAU travel teams. 4th year coaching Lane Tech High School. Nephew to ICE Co-Owner Octavius Parker, learned all he knows from experienced coaches and players. Eager to learn more and continue to spread knowledge and confidence to the next up and coming hoopers.


Adrian Deere Pic

Adrian Deere

I played varsity at Warren Township as a sophomore from 2011-2014 where I was all area 2012-2013 and 2013-2014. Played Division 2 basketball from 2014-2016. Played at Division 1 Juco Triton and committed to Chicago State D1.

  • Started coaching from 2018-2020
  • 2018-2019 – Play Hard Hoops
  • 2019-2020 – Kessel Heat (Fremd Feeder)
  • 2021-2022 – Played in Canada Olds College where I was second team all conference in the ACAC and athlete of the year at Olds College
  • 2022-2023 – Played at Algoma University

Now I am finishing up my final school year at Chicago State University and pursuing a pro basketball career.


Dewayne Evans

Dewayne Evans comes to ICE with 7 years of collegiate coaching experience.  He spent the last 5 years as an assistant at Division 3 Lake Forest College where he mentored three All-Midwest Conference selections and was part of the staff that led the Foresters to the 2012 Midwest Conference Championship.

Prior to Lake Forest, Coach Evans spent 2 years at Division 2 Grand Valley State University.  During his time at Grand Valley, he helped lead the Lakers to two straight NCAA tournament appearances.

Prior to joining the staff at Grand Valley, Evans served for two years as a coach and skills instructor with the Illinois Rising Stars AAU program in Deerfield, Illinois.

Evans graduated from Oberlin College in 2005, where he was a starting point guard for three years and also an all-conference track performer. Evans is a native of Chandler, Arizona and graduated from Chandler High School in 2001 where he was a standout three sport athlete. Coach Evans is also a skills trainer that works with players from the elementary to professional ranks.


Tony Enwiya

Tony Enwiya comes to ICE at the conclusion of his two-year playing career at Harry S. Truman College in Chicago, IL. His achievements at Truman College include leading the team in scoring each of his two seasons, while serving as team captain during his sophomore year.

Prior to his career at Truman, Tony attended Maine East High School in Park Ridge, IL where he played all four years. He had a successful senior year, being named team MVP and a 2011 state finalist in the IHSA Country Companies 3-pt. Shot Contest.

Coach Enwiya brings a vast amount of basketball knowledge he has accumulated over his playing career. He is eager to use this information in the development of his players.


Ahmad Gibson

Ahmad Gibson is now going on his third year with ICE now. He has coached many age groups all ranging from 5th-10th grade. Coach Gibson has won a number of championships with the program and currently coaches the 8th grade ICE team primarily, along with the 7th, 9th, and 10th graders.

Coach Gibson also comes to ICE with 4 years of varsity basketball experience at Niles West High School. His successful high school career included 3 years as team captain, 2x all-conference, 3x all-tournament, all-area, 2x team MVP, 2x team scoring leader, 3x team assists and steals leader, and being a one time regional champion.

Prior to joining ICE, Coach Gibson coached 5-8 year olds at the Skokie Park District, and has 7 years of skills training experience ranging from ages 8-20 years old. Coach Gibson also has 9 years of AAU playing experience and graduated from Lincoln College in 2016 and is currently finishing up his bachelor’s degree in education at UIC.


Garrett Jones

Garrett Jones

Garrett Jones, from Evanston IL. I coached in the Evanston feeder program at all age groups for boys (2016-2019). I also coached for Hoops Avenues at the 11u, 12u and 13u age groups (2016-2018). I currently coach at Niles West high school for the JV girls’ team where I also teach P.E.

I’ve also been involved in personal training for basketball and also helping run numerous basketball camps (2012-present).

Prior to getting into coaching, I played 4 years of varsity basketball at Evanston Township High School (2008-2011). While at Evanston I was a three year starter, 3 year All-Conference player, one year All-Area (2010), and a McDonald All-American Nominee (2011). I went on to play 2 years at the University of New Hampshire, D1 (2011-2013), transferred and finished my college career at Hillsdale College, D2 (2012-2015) in Michigan.


Matt Lingenfelser

Coaching
Winona State YMCA Youth Basketball Clinics, St. Pats Catholic School 8th Grade Basketball, 10 Years Coaching Basketball for Gurnee Park District, 6 years Assistant Coach for GYB Baseball, Worked Shooting Camps with Peter Patton (Shooting Coach-Minnesota TWolves and Dallas Mavs), Attend College Practices to learn more about team preparation and drill work.

Playing
Leading scorer and rebounder on Warren’ s 1st Sweet Sixteen Qualifier, All-Conference, All-Lake County, Sun-Times All Area, Carthage College- 1 Year Starter/Sixth Man- Finished season ranked Top 10 in Field Goal Percentage, Winona State University- 3 Year Starter/Sixth Man, School All-Time Field Goal Percentage Leader, 1,000 point scorer in College.


Casey Rothing

Casey Rothing

Casey played basketball at Deerfield High School, where he started on Varsity as a Sophomore. He has played AAU travel basketball for Rising Stars and Coach Davis since he was in 5th grade. Summer of 2002, my junior year, Rising Stars finished in the top 30 teams in the nation in the national AAU tournament in Orlando. After tearing my ACL my senior year, I walked on to Division III school Ripon College, where I only played for 1 year, before transferring to University of Montana, to focus on academics.

I have coached kids basketball teams for 3 years, but took a break to start a family. I am now ready to get back to helping kids develop and improve their basketball skills!

  • I coached the 6th grade B feeder program for GBN (2014-16)
  • I coached 4 grade travel program for called Illinois Old School (2014-2016)
  • I coached grades 6th-8th at Faith Hope and Charity School in Glenview. (2014-2016)

My passion for the game has just increased as I have gotten older. I look forward to helping your kids develop into smart, skilled basketball players.


Mike Skinner

Coach Skinner joins ICE with an impressive track record for coaching boys and girls of all ages. Coach Skinner was previously with Joy of the Game and is the only coach at JG to coach both girls & boys high school teams.

Coach Skinner played at Sullivan H.S. in Chicago from ’85-‘89, spent 3 years as varsity player and was all-conference in addition to being voted to all-city third team and the city-suburban game roster in ‘89. Skinner was all-area at Kennedy-King JC in ’91-‘92, and finished up at Highpoint University in N.C. where he was all-conference (Big South) and Pre-season All-American in ‘92 – ’94 and played professionally in Mexico, France and in the I.B.A (Dakota Wizards).

Coach Skinner was the assistant varsity coach and head freshman coach at Evanston H.S. from ’96 – ’99 and the sophomore coach at Mundelein H.S. from 2005-2006, before landing his first head coaching position at Antioch H.S. from 2006-2011. Coach Skinner is also a personal trainer at ICE helping players improve on their individual and team skills.


Todd Wolf

After competing as four year, three-sport, high school athlete in the Madison, WI area, where he twice received basketball High School All Conference honors, Todd attended St. Norbert College where he played in the NCAA Division III Midwest conference.

Prior to becoming an assistant coach with the Gurnee Demons under Coach Brian Davis, Todd acquired over 10 years of basketball coaching experience while coaching REC level basketball through both the Park District and Upward Basketball programs. He has coached competitive youth athletics across multiple sports for over 10 years (basketball, baseball, softball and soccer) and has attending several coaching clinics, including acquiring his state “E” coaching license in soccer.

Todd has also acquired his Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) coaching certificate in basketball and was the assistant coach on Coach Davis’s bench for a 2017 10U National Championship win in Clarksville, TN, with the Illinois Central Elite AAU program.