Impact for Life

May 9, 2018
Gabriella Smith grew up in Oak Park most of her life.  In 2nd grade she signed up for Impact Basketball, which at that moment didn’t realize it would change the rest of her life.  As a tiny little girl with fuzzy French braids standing amongst the tall older girls Coach James Foster pulled her to the middle of a huddle of about thirty girls and said this player here will be a star.  She will play Division 1 basketball and shine above the rest. At that moment his kindness was more like ingenious, he knew at that instant that she was something special. So she played and learned from Coach Foster for the next six year.  Drill after drill skills and foundations were laid. In particular, Coach Foster taught her how to shoot a basketball, not just shoot it to be shooting but shooting to be perfect. An expert shooter from any range, she took pride in it and now it defines her play.   Throughout her time with Impact she learned some of the most important aspects of the game as well as life-skills off the court. It was always at the end of every practice that James would give the girls a priceless lesson on life, making real connections and real emotion.  You can see it in everyone’s eyes, the honor that had for him and respect for everything he taught them. Gabby loved Coach Foster and still to this day thinks about all he has done for her. As an elementary player at Brooks in Oak Park she dominated on varsity from 6th grade to 8th.  Nominated as MVP her future was starting to begin.  As she went into 8th grade she dabbled with a couple High Profile Travel Teams as well as Trained with Impact at the same time.  Her first year of High School she started as a Freshman on Varsity at St Joseph in Westchester leading them in scoring and rebounding shooting over 70 three pointers in one season.  Following that year she transferred to Bolingbrook High School, as a Sophomore leading their varsity team in scoring and rebounds, receiving All-Area, All-Conference, and MVP. She now will be attending Ball State University When you look back at that shy little girl standing there at OPRF big high school gym, you realize that dreams can come true, with hard work and true experienced coaching.  Coach James Foster and his staff, not to forget Coach “T” Tanya Thigpen and Coach Jeffery Plane truly had a huge “Impact” on Gabby’s life. Also Not to mention as her mother  I Coach Suzanne Wagner was part of Impact family the whole time she was there. Impact lays foundations, teaches life skills, and builds stars, not only on the court, but off the court as well. Impact for Life ~Suzanne Wagner

Gabriella Smith grew up in Oak Park most of her life.  In 2nd grade she signed up for Impact Basketball, which at that moment didn’t realize it would change the rest of her life.  As a tiny little girl with fuzzy French braids standing amongst the tall older girls Coach James Foster pulled her to the middle of a huddle of about thirty girls and said this player here will be a star.  She will play Division 1 basketball and shine above the rest. At that moment his kindness was more like ingenious, he knew at that instant that she was something special. So she played and learned from Coach Foster for the next six year.  Drill after drill skills and foundations were laid. In particular, Coach Foster taught her how to shoot a basketball, not just shoot it to be shooting but shooting to be perfect. An expert shooter from any range, she took pride in it and now it defines her play.   Throughout her time with Impact she learned some of the most important aspects of the game as well as life-skills off the court. It was always at the end of every practice that James would give the girls a priceless lesson on life, making real connections and real emotion.  You can see it in everyone’s eyes, the honor that had for him and respect for everything he taught them. Gabby loved Coach Foster and still to this day thinks about all he has done for her.

As an elementary player at Brooks in Oak Park she dominated on varsity from 6th grade to 8th.  Nominated as MVP her future was starting to begin.  As she went into 8th grade she dabbled with a couple High Profile Travel Teams as well as Trained with Impact at the same time.  Her first year of High School she started as a Freshman on Varsity at St Joseph in Westchester leading them in scoring and rebounding shooting over 70 three pointers in one season.  Following that year she transferred to Bolingbrook High School, as a Sophomore leading their varsity team in scoring and rebounds, receiving All-Area, All-Conference, and MVP. She now will be attending Ball State University

When you look back at that shy little girl standing there at OPRF big high school gym, you realize that dreams can come true, with hard work and true experienced coaching.  Coach James Foster and his staff, not to forget Coach “T” Tanya Thigpen and Coach Jeffery Plane truly had a huge “Impact” on Gabby’s life. Also Not to mention as her mother  I Coach Suzanne Wagner was part of Impact family the whole time she was there. Impact lays foundations, teaches life skills, and builds stars, not only on the court, but off the court as well.

Impact for Life
~Suzanne Wagner