Testimonials
"My son has always loved basketball, his natural talent was apparent from a very young age...he's also been one of those kids that's never been easy...and I state that mildly. It was clear that I needed to direct his energy into a positive & productive outlet...Prepare to Excel was exactly what I was looking for. When he was 12, I hired Steve to start training him. I had two goals in the beginning...1. To both explore and craft my sons overall game...all aspects including physically, technically, & mentally. 2. I desperately needed a strong, positive male role model that could assist me in helping my son to understand what his goals were and how to achieve them. Steve has been training him for two years now and both of my goals have been greatly accomplished...including several I didn't even know my son would have. I honestly cant put into words how much respect and admiration I have for Steve...the work he has done, and continues to provide, is a true gift of his talents that I consider priceless. Steve has been instrumental in helping my son both realize his goals and the hard work necessary to achieve them...on and off of the court. He's taught him about respect (for himself & for the game) through his own consistent, strong example. My son is now in his freshman year of high school and just made the starting lineup...I cried when he told me:) It was abundantly clear the job Steve did based on the feedback from the freshman coaches...nothing short of total praise. We are so proud and more importantly, he is proud of himself! As his mom, seeing him realize how his hard work and dedication paid off and accomplished such great goals, there's nothing more I could want...and we owe it all to Steve, best coach EVER!!"
- Angela Butler
Parent of Nick Butler
Newbury Park High School Freshman
"With Steve, every gym workout has been new and challenging. To be honest, at first, it felt like I was playing the worst basketball I had ever played. I walked in scared to make mistakes, and therefore, made every mistake possible. But after about three practices, he sat me down, and just said that if I give it my all, and focus on making the right moves, rather than not making mistakes, I would perform at the level he was pushing me to be at. I could do no wrong after that. I made millions of mistakes at Steve’s workouts, but performed like I never had before on the court against friends and rival teams. I became the leading scorer, rebounder, and team captain, all in one season. I would say that without Steve’s motivation and teachings, I would still be feeling the pain of the bench. There are no words to express how grateful I am for Steve’s teachings not only in basketball, but in maturity, and life."
- Luke Williams
Nordhoff High School Athlete 2012-2014
• League MVP 2014
• 2nd Team All-County 2014
• 1st team All-League 2013-14
• Leading: Scorer, Rebounder 2013-14
• League Leading Scorer 2014
• League Leading Three-point shots 2014
• League Second Rebounding 2014
“I've been coaching a club team for the past 7 years (VC CRUSH)... Steve trains all my players in skill development as part of our regular practice sessions, plus trains them individually. It is no coincidence that, since our involvement with Steve, we have gone from being a .500 ball club to winning many of the tournaments we enter. Needless to say, I credit those undeniable results, in large part, to Steve..
You want someone who is going to elevate your child / player's overall game, starting with developing their skills, and who can present the material and demonstrate the various drills to the players... someone who resonates on a level that is comfortable with everyone he trains... someone who will give you quantifiable results at an exponential pace.
Steve is the one you want!”
- Mark Wheatman
VC CRUSH
Travel Team Director / CYBA
T.O. City Rep / V-League
“Steve has worked with my son and several players in both the Ravens and the MHS program. His drills are detail oriented and follow a clear path to needed areas of development. The improvement in the players he works with has been obvious. He brings enthusiasm and positive energy to each and every session. The kids want to learn, do learn and come away confident and excited about the game.”
- Pat Cirillo
Coaching Staff
Moorpark High School
"Steve is a great teacher, motivator and life coach. He has trained my thirteen year old son, Sean, who competes in both the youth recreation leagues and the Ravens program. In the period of time Sean has worked with Steve [7 months], he's made terrific progress and has had fun doing so. Steve is a valuable asset to our community. I recommend him most highly.
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Jeff Dyer
"I'm happy to take the opportunity to recommend Coach Ornelaz for private and/or group sessions for youngsters serious about developing basketball skills. I have been particularly pleased with his ability to communicate personally with my son Jack, who spent three years under his tutelage.
He brings a focused yet balanced approach to his work with developing players, and places an important emphasis on character building. My son developed not just his skill set for basketball, but his knowledge of, and most importantly, love for the game as well."
- Greg Schuberg
“Steve's experience, training style, and dedication are exemplary. He is thorough, consistent, and the content of his workouts are fantastic. He has worked with my son Dakota for two years, and has taken him from a skinny, skilled 8th grader, to an athletic, strong, confident Varsity player in the TOHS program. I have coached Club basketball for 6 years, and have seen many coaches, but Steve is the best at individual training that I have come across. He cares about the kids, and takes the extra time needed to watch them play, evaluate their needs, and then has the expertise to help them improve. Having played sports at a high level, I understand the dedication, work ethic and skill level it takes to compete at those levels, and Steve has a great and fun way of communicating that dedication and implementing those skills to young players. I would highly recommend Steve as a coach to your son or daughter.”
- Jeff Pierce
TOHS Lancer Frosh/Soph Parent
“I have known Steve for 40 years, growing up together in the Conejo Valley. We played basketball at Thousand Oaks High School in the mid-1970's. Steve still holds numerous records! Today, he works with a number of the players in the TOHS program. Steve remains one of the hardest working, detailed oriented people I know. He has an excellent mind for the game of basketball and being a former professional player, clearly possesses the talent to communicate, instruct, teach and train the young athletes of today. He challenges and pushes players to reach beyond their potential. If your son or daughter wants to develop their skill set and take their game to a higher level, I highly recommend Steve's expertise and service.”
- Kevin Pasky
TOHS Lancer Varsity Parent
“I have known Steve since high school. He has been a good friend and a great coach for my daughter. Katherine already had a very good and powerful inside game, however Steve took her current game and added an outside element to it that will be necessary as she meets more talented opponents. Steve is a dedicated coach and role model for young players at all levels.”
- James Reaves
“Steve’s expertise and ongoing work with Charles has been tremendously helpful and as a result, Charles’s strength and basketball skills developed, which has enabled him to compete and take his athletic talents on to the college level. I highly recommend Steve’s services.”
- Lizzie Benton
“Steve has worked with our son since he was 14 years old, and as a result of that consistent work, Dalton has developed and improved every aspect of his game. Steve’s expertise, services and teaching style allows your son or daughter every opportunity to develop and grow in the sport. Dalton now competes on the college level and his ongoing work with Steve has positioned him well to achieve. His program is a sound and wise investment and we highly recommend it to all those we come in contact with, that want to give their kids an added advantage to succeed.”
- Thaddeus & Penny Francis
“I would like to give my highest possible recommendation to Steve Ornelaz. Steve has been instrumental in developing my son, both as an athlete and person. Through Steve’s efforts, Brendan has committed to Whittier College and will start his freshman year this fall. Steve is a person of the highest moral character. He has always been honest and realistic about Brendan. Brendan has worked hard and with Steve’s assistance has developed into an outstanding basketball player. Steve has tremendous basketball skill and knowledge. He also has life skills and in my opinion was very instrumental in Brendan’s development. Brendan always looks forward to his sessions with Steve and will continue to work with him, over the summer in preparation for his transition to the college game. I can’t express enough how much we have appreciated Steve Ornelaz. We have enjoyed working with him and look forward to continuing this relationship throughout Brendan’s college basketball career.”
- Marc Beaghler
"Steve started working with my son when he was 13. I wish I would've started him sooner! Ben was 7th or 8th man on his middle school team and after working with Steve, he is now a starter on his team at Oaks Christian and several other club ball teams that he plays for. Under Steve's training he has developed every part of his game; it's amazing how far his shooting and ball handling skills have developed! Along with the skill development, what Steve brought out most was my son's confidence. I would highly recommend Steve's service. The results you get are well worth your investment."
- Bob Popp
Father of Ben Popp at Oaks Christian