Grind Region Preview: Victory Ministry
With its genesis in 2013, Victory Ministry has spent the last six years as a vehicle to serve the Christian faith that the program was founded upon. Faith, people and basketball: Victory Ministry is a convergence of all those things.…
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Continue ReadingWith its genesis in 2013, Victory Ministry has spent the last six years as a vehicle to serve the Christian faith that the program was founded upon.
Faith, people and basketball: Victory Ministry is a convergence of all those things.
“Our mission never changes: we want to bridge the gap between people and Christ. That will forever be what we strive to do. Victory is our way of serving our Lord and our community,” said Victory Ministry’s 17U coach Jordan Burton. “For us, this is bigger than basketball.”
He added: “We use the game as a teaching tool to prepare young people for life, equipping them with tools to overcome adversity and thrive.”
When it comes to basketball-related goals, the program’s mission is to compete each time they step on the floor. Also, to send each hooper back to his high school team an improved player.
“From a basketball standpoint, we’re just trying to grind every time we step on the floor. We are less concerned with wins and losses and more concerned with sending guys back to their high school programs as more well-rounded players with quality habits,” Burton said.
“We want to compete every time we step on the floor, regardless what the name on (the opponent’s) jersey says. If we master our process, the wins, honors and offers will take care of itself.”
The Joplin, Missouri-based program will put some quality teams on the floor this spring and summer.
Victory Ministry’s 17U squad will be headlined by Webb City’s Terrell Kabaka and Joplin’s Isaiah Davis. Golden City’s Arlo Stump, one of Missouri’s most prolific scorers, will be one to keep a close eye on.
Dynamic guards Jojo Hardimon (Poplar Bluff) and Khai Howard (Webb City) will lead the way for the 16U unit. Current freshman Cohl Vaden (Webb City) will again play up with the older guys, “We feel like he’s one of the top 2022s in Missouri,” said Burton.
Other Victory Ministry guys to watch are 2020 guards Zeke Lyons, who Burton compares to the Golden State Warriors’ Klay Thompson, Alonzo Riwa (Ozark), who will thrive on defense, and Brennan Yust (Seneca), who is a guy that will showcase an inside/outside skill-set.
Keep a close eye on 2021s Landon Austin (Neosho) and Haiden McCoy, too. According to Burton, both came on strong last summer and have continued to develop.
Victory Ministry can be found competing in the Grind Region of the Prep Hoops Circuit. Burton says they chose Prep Hoops because of positive past experiences and the exposure his guys will receive.
“We went to two Prep Hoops events last summer and felt like they were among the best we’ve ever been to. We’re excited about the set up and platform. It gives programs and players a team goal to work towards,” said Burton. “For independent programs, the Prep Hoops Circuit has become our EYBL.”