Tough. Focused. Connected.

Kate Sayles is an experienced educator and passionate coach, with a deep love for teaching and fostering teamwork. With 10 years as a Seattle Public Schools teacher, Kate has cultivated a strong foundation in guiding young athletes and students in their physical, emotional, and social growth. She believes in the power of sport to bring people together and create lifelong skills that extend far beyond the court or field.

As an avid SCUBA diver, artist, dog lover and world traveler, Kate brings a well-rounded perspective to coaching, encouraging her players to explore new experiences and build confidence in themselves both on and off the court. Her diverse interests help her connect with her athletes on multiple levels, emphasizing the importance of balance, discipline, and curiosity in all aspects of life.

Kate is in her forth year as a coach with Ballard Basketball, where she serves as the Director of Select Teams and is a dedicated coach for the 4th, 5th and 7th grade teams. She’s known for her strong communication skills, her ability to teach the fundamentals of the game, and for building cohesive teams that play with heart and integrity. Watching her athletes grow, develop, and eventually go on to succeed in high school basketball is one of Kate’s greatest joys. She is proud to see her graduates excel, both as players and as young adults, reflecting her commitment to their long-term development.

Kate’s coaching philosophy centers on empowering her players to work collaboratively, strive for improvement, and push beyond their perceived limits. She believes that sports are a powerful tool for personal growth and that every athlete deserves the opportunity to find their voice, build confidence, and contribute to the success of the team.

With a wealth of experience and a dedication to her athletes, Kate is an integral part of the Ballard Basketball community. Whether on the court or off, her positive influence continues to inspire young athletes to chase their dreams and achieve their full potential.

As the story goes, when Marcie was born her dad took one look at her long fingers and decided that she should be a basketball player. Growing up in Arizona, Marcie started playing basketball as soon as she could walk. Eventually she joined the Tucson Rattlers. While on the Rattlers, Marcie was coached by Chris Kalssen, who she reveres as one of the best coaches she has ever met. Marcie played at Hamilton High and Basha High School in Chandler Arizona. There she was a leader with records in blocks and rebounds. After suffering a shoulder injury she decided to hang up her basketball shoes and chose a different path to continue her love for the game.   

Marcie has been coaching around the Seattle Metro area, in some capacity, over the last 10 years. She has coached through the Magnolia community center since 2017. She currently is the Head Coach at University Prep,

Akash Niranjan grew up in Lake Forest Park, WA, where he was a standout two-sport athlete at Shorecrest High School, excelling in both basketball and football. His leadership and athleticism earned him a scholarship offer to play quarterback at Eastern Washington University. However, Akash chose a different path—one rooted in long-term growth and impact—by attending the University of Washington, where he earned a Business degree in Finance.


Today, Akash works in Strategy and Operations at T-Mobile, bringing the same discipline and teamwork he learned on the field into the corporate world. He lives in Ballard with his wife Marissa and their three children, all of whom play competitive basketball year-round.


Akash’s passion for coaching is deeply tied to his belief in the power of process. He emphasizes that success in basketball—and in life—is built through daily repetition, commitment to the craft, and celebrating small wins. For Akash, there are no shortcuts to playing at a high level. He respects the journey it takes to build a team and focuses on developing character, discipline, and unity among his players.


He believes the principles of teamwork learned on the court are transferable far beyond the game—shaping how young athletes show up in school, relationships, and their future careers. Akash is committed to helping players grow not just as athletes, but as people.

Alicia Morrison grew up playing basketball at Meadowdale High School, where she helped lead her team to three straight regional appearances, and competed with top AAU programs including Northwest Greyhounds, Rotary, Excel, and Swarm.

She has spent the past few years coaching youth teams and loves helping players build confidence and skills on and off the court. Alicia also brings four years of experience as a referee, giving her a strong understanding of the game and a unique perspective she passes on to her players.

Growing up in Des Moines, WA and a 2008 graduate of Mount Rainier high school, Alfie was a four year varsity player and the schools all time leading scorer. In 2008, he was name Seamount League MVP and his team finished 4th in state, the highest finish in school history.

Following Mount Rainier, Alfie played two years at Shoreline Community College where he helped the program win the North Region in the 2010 season. After finishing his two years at Shoreline, he received a scholarship to play at Montana State University-Northern in Havre, Montana. While at MSU Northern, he would become an all conference player, and help his team reach the NAIA National Tournament in consecutive years.

After finishing his college career in 2014, he immediately started to get into coaching. He has coached boys and girls of various levels, from elementary through college, for both school and AAU/club teams. He is currently the Head Boys Basketball Coach at Ingraham High School.

Off the court, Alfie has a degree in Business Administration and a Masters Degree in Sport and Athletic Administration from Gonzaga University.

Juniper has loved basketball since she was a kid, playing AAU with Hoopaholics starting in 4th grade through middle school. She played all four years at Ballard High School under Coach Sara Wetstone. After high school, she  attended Washington State University where she got her BS in Elementary Education, and has been teaching 1st grade for five years. She loves anything that keeps her active and engaged, which is the reason she is so drawn to basketball - being such a fast-paced and energetic sport. 

Hello! My name is Isac Arruela, but you can call me Coach Zac. I grew up here in Ballard where I attended St. John and Blanchet High School. I currently attend the University of Washington. I love coaching basketball as it has been my favorite sport since I first picked up a basketball when I was a kid and I have enjoyed playing with my younger siblings throughout my life. My favorite hobbies are going on walks, spending time with friends and family, and hooping at the UW IMA center!

Hello! 

My name is Drew Blacksmith. I grew up in the greater Seattle area and played basketball all through high school. I currently live and work in North Seattle and will be starting my 9th season coaching Freshman basketball (my 6th at Ballard HS) this Winter. Helping kids grow as players and people, while having fun, is something I am really passionate about!

My name is Andre Laze and I am currently a second-year Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Washington. I’ve always loved working with kids and being part of a supportive community. I have spent the past few years working as an aftercare employee and camp counselor with the Archdiocese of Seattle, where I supervised and mentored elementary students, helped with activities, and built strong relationships with families. I’ve always enjoyed creating fun, inclusive environments where every kid feels encouraged to grow and be themselves.