Coaches
Sara Wetstone- Founder/Director
Sara was a three-sport varsity athlete at Lakeside School in Seattle, earning twelve varsity letters in soccer, basketball, and softball. As point guard and co-captain of the basketball team, she helped lead Lakeside to a 96–1 record over her final three seasons, capturing two Washington State championships. The team was ranked No. 12 nationally by USA Today and later recognized as the "Team of the Century" by The Seattle Times. Sara graduated in 1994 as Lakeside's Female Athlete of the Year and served as Student Body President.
Sara earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Princeton University, where she was a two-year co-captain of the women's basketball team. Following graduation, she played and coached professionally in Denmark before a career-ending knee injury brought her back to Seattle.
She began her coaching career at Seattle Community College, where she led the women's basketball program and was named NWAACC North Division Coach of the Year in her first season. Sara later served for eight years as Head Coach of the Ballard High School girls' basketball program, earning Metro Coach of the Year honors in 2018.
Committed to developing both athletes and leaders, Sara holds a Master of Arts in Applied Behavioral Science from Bastyr University and is a certified Positive Discipline Parent Educator. She is the founder and director of Ballard Basketball, where she is dedicated to building confident, resilient young people through sport, leadership, and community.
Sara lives in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood with her husband, Justin, and their two sons.
Kate Sayles- Select Teams Director/Coach
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.
Alicia Morrison- Coach
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.
Alfie Miller- Boys In House League Coach
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 Kleinsmith- Girls In House League Coach
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.
Drew Blacksmith- In House League Coach
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!
Andre Laze- K-2 Manager and Coach
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.