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Coach Tony - 4th and 6th Gold
Bio:
Tony Locascio began his coaching career while attending high school in Sandpoint, Idaho, where he coached his younger brothers’ select basketball teams and launched the very first select basketball program in his hometown. After attending Boise State University, Tony returned to coaching after moving to Bainbridge Island, where he became heavily involved in youth basketball.
From 2013–2021, Tony coached within the Bainbridge Island Select Basketball program while also serving as a coach at Bainbridge High School, coaching both the freshman and JV programs for multiple seasons. His focus on player development, team culture, and building confident, competitive athletes has remained the foundation of his coaching approach.
Tony later joined the Mercer Island Select basketball program, where he has coached multiple youth select teams to four State Championships, including:
• 4th Grade Boys – 2022
• 5th Grade Girls – 2023
• 6th Grade Boys – 2024
• 7th Grade Girls – 2025
He has also coached teams to multiple ETL championships and has developed players who have gone on to compete at high levels throughout the region.
In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Tony serves as the Director of Northwest Storm Basketball, overseeing and coaching multiple teams within the program. Under his leadership, Northwest Storm has continued to grow, with a focus on player development, competitive opportunities, and creating a positive basketball environment where athletes learn to compete, work together, and love the game.
Tony is passionate about helping young athletes develop both on and off the court and looks forward to continuing to be part of the youth basketball community.
Coach Gwen - 7th Gold
Bio:
Former CCAA and NCAA Division II student-athlete. I recently finished my collegiate basketball career after competing at California State University East Bay and Simon Fraser University. I was raised in Snoqualmie and attended Mount Si High School.
Throughout my playing career I’ve coached girls basketball through school, team, and community camps, working with athletes ranging from young beginners to collegiate players. Im very passionate about helping young athletes build confidence both on and off the court while developing their skills and talents.
I strive to create a positive, supportive, and competitive environment where every player feels encouraged to grow, challenge themselves, and become the best version of themselves.
Coach Claire - 7th/6th Purple
Bio:
Emily Claire has been a part of IGBA since 2014, starting when the organization made their first 4th grade team. Coached by multiple people, including her dad Mark Burles, she played through the 8th grade with IGBA.
After taking some time off during high school and the beginning of college, Claire and her sister decided to pick up where their dad left off and coach the 4th grade gold team for the 25-26 season.
While assisting her sister with the 4th graders, she was also assistant coaching the 7th grade silver team for Skyline. Assistant coaching reignited her love for the game and has motivated her to be the best coach she can be. Claire helped both teams grow and learned what the different age groups needed to succeed, aiding both teams state qualifications. The Issaquah 4th graders won multiple tournaments, and the Skyline 7th graders won the ETL championships, placed 4th at the State Championships, and became the best defensive team in the West.
Claire hopes to create a supportive environment that encourages players to play to the best of their ability.
Coach Chris - 5th Gold
Bio:
Chris has been passionate about coaching for most of his life. While in high school and college, he coached youth summer sports camps, experiences that sparked his love for teaching and mentoring young athletes. He later earned a minor in Coaching, further strengthening his commitment to athlete development and positive leadership.
Today, Chris serves as the Director of Coach Development and Training for Issaquah Girls Basketball Academy (IGBA) and coaches the 5th Grade Gold team. He believes great coaching extends far beyond teaching basketball skills. Chris is passionate about creating positive, player-centered environments where athletes develop confidence, resilience, creativity, and a lifelong love of the game.
His coaching philosophy is heavily influenced by the Positive Coaching Alliance and the Constraints-Led Approach (CLA), an evidence-based framework popularized in basketball by Alex Sarama through Transforming Basketball. Chris believes athletes learn best by solving problems, making decisions, and competing in game-like environments that encourage exploration rather than memorization.
One quote has always resonated with Chris and serves as a daily reminder of his purpose as a coach: "A good coach can change a game. A great coach can change a life." — John Wooden.
Coach Josh - 4th/5th Purple
Bio:
Josh is entering his third-year coaching at IGBA, having coached 7th, 6th, 5th, 4th, and even two 3rd graders. A lifelong basketball fan and intramural legend, his interest waned and he became disillusioned with the sport after the Sonics moved from Seattle. Luckily, Josh’s youngest daughter wanted to play basketball, allowing him to coach her rec team and volunteer as an assistant coach as she moved her way through IGBA. Since his daughters are now away at college, Josh wanted to find a way to remain active over the winter and contribute meaningfully to the Issaquah community, leading him to IGBA. Having raised two girls, Josh recognizes the difficulties faced by this age group and strives to build confidence through positive reinforcement, age-appropriate teaching mechanisms, playing through mistakes, providing leadership opportunities, and having fun on the basketball court.
Coach PJ Price - 3rd Eaglets Coach
Raised in Washington, PJ Price grew up playing basketball & developed a passion for the game that has continued to grow throughout his life. After experiencing basketball as a player himself, PJ found a new love for the game through coaching & began his coaching journey in Tacoma & Puyallup in 2012.
For the past eight years, PJ has been a dedicated coach at Elite Sports Academy, where he has played an important role in developing young athletes both on & off the court. His coaching approach is centered around teaching the fundamentals, building confidence, developing basketball IQ, & helping players grow into strong teammates & competitors.
PJ is also highly involved with local feeder basketball programs, working to help create a strong pathway for young athletes as they progress through their basketball careers. This year, he will be working with Issaquah Select, continuing his commitment to developing & supporting youth basketball in the local community.
For PJ, coaching is about more than basketball—it’s about building relationships, teaching life lessons, & helping young athletes reach their potential while developing a genuine love for the game.
Coach Ashley - Trainer
Ashley Graham is a Redmond High School and Santa Clara University alumna and former professional basketball player. A KingCo MVP and All-State player, she played five years overseas and set a Guinness World Record with 40 free throws in one minute.
After retiring from professional basketball, Ashley took over the Redmond girls program for seven seasons and helped lead them to a 3A KingCo Championship and earned Coach of the Year honors. She has also worked with the WNBA Seattle Storm and now brings her experience to basketball training, camps, clinics, and team development through her organization, Pinnacle Hoops and is a current coach and trainer for Elite.
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