Meet Our Team
Haris Takes
Program Director & Coach
Phone: 563-581-0305
Email: [email protected]
Haris is the founder of Dubuque County Basketball Academy and has been serving as the program director since the organization's founding in 2020. He is from Cascade, IA. Haris has been around the game as a player and coach his entire life and giving back to the youth in his area has been a great joy. He enjoys working with and learning from fellow coaches who share the same passion for the game. Outside the gym he enjoys running, exercise, reading, & playing guitar. He currently resides in Dubuque with his dog Duke.
Haris was an all-state 3 sport athlete in baseball, basketball, and track & field. He continued his basketball journey at Clarke University where he was a 4 year starter, multiple all-conference team selection, All-American, & 3rd all-time in scoring at Clarke. He founded DCBA in 2020 after multiple years of personal training. He started with the goal of developing the next generation of basketball players in the tri-state area. "My favorite part of coaching and directing for DCBA is practice, where I get to challenge players to be the best they can be. Each player develops differently, has different playing experience, comes from different backgrounds; and that is a challenge for myself and our staff to find the necessary pieces for them to dream big and achieve greatness!"
Phone: 563-581-0305
Email: [email protected]
Haris is the founder of Dubuque County Basketball Academy and has been serving as the program director since the organization's founding in 2020. He is from Cascade, IA. Haris has been around the game as a player and coach his entire life and giving back to the youth in his area has been a great joy. He enjoys working with and learning from fellow coaches who share the same passion for the game. Outside the gym he enjoys running, exercise, reading, & playing guitar. He currently resides in Dubuque with his dog Duke.
Haris was an all-state 3 sport athlete in baseball, basketball, and track & field. He continued his basketball journey at Clarke University where he was a 4 year starter, multiple all-conference team selection, All-American, & 3rd all-time in scoring at Clarke. He founded DCBA in 2020 after multiple years of personal training. He started with the goal of developing the next generation of basketball players in the tri-state area. "My favorite part of coaching and directing for DCBA is practice, where I get to challenge players to be the best they can be. Each player develops differently, has different playing experience, comes from different backgrounds; and that is a challenge for myself and our staff to find the necessary pieces for them to dream big and achieve greatness!"
Deonte Newsome
Boys Coach
Deonte was born and raised in Milwaukee, WI where he competed at a high level in Wisconsin High Schools top division. After high school he went on to have a successful college career at the University of Dubuque. "I had a very fun and instructive experience at UD that I hope to bring to the table coaching kids. I want to provide them with the things I lacked during my youth playing days. Not only will I instill basketball knowledge but also life lessons that come with the game." Deonte coaches our middle school boys and has made big impacts on all of those players lives by bringing great joy and passion to the game.
Deonte was born and raised in Milwaukee, WI where he competed at a high level in Wisconsin High Schools top division. After high school he went on to have a successful college career at the University of Dubuque. "I had a very fun and instructive experience at UD that I hope to bring to the table coaching kids. I want to provide them with the things I lacked during my youth playing days. Not only will I instill basketball knowledge but also life lessons that come with the game." Deonte coaches our middle school boys and has made big impacts on all of those players lives by bringing great joy and passion to the game.
Josh Schauf
Girls Coach
Coach Josh Schauf has been with DCBA for 2 years. His joy and passion for the game have helped shape all of the players he has come in contact with. He views basketball as a vehicle to learn greater life lessons that the game teaches. Josh brings a lifetime of experience to the club as he has been involved in athletics his entire life. From a 4-sport athlete in high school, to following his athletic dreams to play college baseball, his experience in athletics is a valuable asset to our program!
Coach Josh Schauf has been with DCBA for 2 years. His joy and passion for the game have helped shape all of the players he has come in contact with. He views basketball as a vehicle to learn greater life lessons that the game teaches. Josh brings a lifetime of experience to the club as he has been involved in athletics his entire life. From a 4-sport athlete in high school, to following his athletic dreams to play college baseball, his experience in athletics is a valuable asset to our program!
Nick Schauf
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12u Boys Coach
Coach Nick Schauf is in his 2nd year as a coach for DCBA. His coaching experience is a huge asset to the program and it has shown in his leadership to many of our youth players. In addition to his 17 years as a high school head coach in Iowa he is also, a USA Gold Certified Coach, USA Gold Camp Coach, a Lead Clinician at Snow Valley Basketball School 18 years, and a member of the Iowa Basketball Coaches Association Board. Nick is also a director for various DCBA skills camps where he leads with unmatched energy in an effort to bring the best out of all the athletes he serves. Nick lives in Monticello, Iowa with his wife Jenny and 3 kids. |
Roger Bussan
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Boys Coach
Coach Bussan is entering his first year on the DCBA coaching staff where is coaching our high school teams. Coach is a native of the tri-state region having graduated from Galena High School. He was a multi-sport athlete in college at Augustana (Rock Island) where he played football and basketball. Since graduating from college Coach Bussan has spent two decades coaching at the high school level, most recently at Lancaster High School (WI) where he spent 6 years as the head coach from 2013-2017. Coach helped guide Lancaster to their first winning seasons, a regional championship, and highest conference finish in 10 years. Roger currently resides in Lancaster with his wife and 2 children. He owns and operates Happy Joes locations in Lancaster & Galena. |
Ashley Arlen
Girls Skills Coach
Ashley Arlen is from Cascade, Iowa. She played under current coach, Mike Sconsa in his first years with Cascade, playing varsity all four years.
Ashley then went on to play one year at Iowa State until continuing the rest of her collegiate career with Wayne State College in Nebraska. She was named 2012 National Player of the Year, two time All-American, Ranked 3rd in all time scoring (1,724), Ranked 5th in all time blocked shots (124), and Ranked 6th all time in rebounds (821). She was inducted into WSC’s Hall of Fame in 2017.
After college she continued her professional career which has taken her to Romania, Spain, Germany, England, Sweden, and Australia.
She is currently in her 9th year professionally with the Leicester Riders in England - games are live streamed on WBBL YouTube Channel for anyone wanting to catch her live in action.
Ashley Arlen is from Cascade, Iowa. She played under current coach, Mike Sconsa in his first years with Cascade, playing varsity all four years.
Ashley then went on to play one year at Iowa State until continuing the rest of her collegiate career with Wayne State College in Nebraska. She was named 2012 National Player of the Year, two time All-American, Ranked 3rd in all time scoring (1,724), Ranked 5th in all time blocked shots (124), and Ranked 6th all time in rebounds (821). She was inducted into WSC’s Hall of Fame in 2017.
After college she continued her professional career which has taken her to Romania, Spain, Germany, England, Sweden, and Australia.
She is currently in her 9th year professionally with the Leicester Riders in England - games are live streamed on WBBL YouTube Channel for anyone wanting to catch her live in action.
Carlos Pittman
Tournament Director
Carlos has been with the program since the beginning and roots in the AAU game in Dubuque go way back. We are lucky to have Carlos as a tournament and league director. His selfless role in this position helps teams from out of town feel welcome and included.
His experience goes way back as a prep player in Memphis, TN and a college player at University of Dubuque. He has been in the coaching business for over 20 years in various AAU, high school, and college roles.
He currently works for the Dubuque Community School District and is the Assistant Coach at Dubuque Senior High School. He has 4 kids and resides in Dubuque with his wife.
Carlos has been with the program since the beginning and roots in the AAU game in Dubuque go way back. We are lucky to have Carlos as a tournament and league director. His selfless role in this position helps teams from out of town feel welcome and included.
His experience goes way back as a prep player in Memphis, TN and a college player at University of Dubuque. He has been in the coaching business for over 20 years in various AAU, high school, and college roles.
He currently works for the Dubuque Community School District and is the Assistant Coach at Dubuque Senior High School. He has 4 kids and resides in Dubuque with his wife.
Hannah Thiele
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Youth Girls Coach - 11u & 12u
Hannah Thiele graduated in 2018 from Moline High School, playing basketball and running track all four years. She currently holds the school record in 3 point shots made in a season for the Maroons. She continued her basketball career at Loras College for 5 seasons (2018-2023). She is graduating from Loras with a degree in Elementary Education with endorsements in special education, reading, and math. Hannah’s goal with DCBA is to pass on her knowledge and passion for the game of basketball to other young female athletes, as her coaches once did for her. |
Wes Heiar
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Youth Boys & Girls Coach
Wes Heiar is in his 2nd year as a coach for DCBA. Wes has been coaching young athletes for more than 20 years with the majority of his experience developing elementary and middle school competitors. His mission for youth basketball is to instill a love of the game and passion for excellence in every player he instructs. Wes currently resides in East Dubuque with his wife and 5 children and is the Principal at East Dubuque Elementary School. |
TJ Potts
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Youth Boys Coach
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Ken Porter
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Youth Boys Coach
Coach Ken Porter, a seasoned basketball coach with over 12 years of experience ranging from 6U to 17U, he is currently coaching the 13u level team for his 3rd season with DCBA. Ken grew up in Chicago, IL (Burbank) and brings a wealth of knowledge from his own competitive playing days at the 4A level. His coaching philosophy centers around developing the youth not only as basketball players but also as individuals capable of navigating challenges both on and off the court. Coach Ken graduated from Purdue University, and is currently working at John Deere where he continues to instill the same values of teamwork, dedication, and mentorship in his current role. Boiler Up! |
Tyler Menke
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Middle School Boys Coach
Tyler is entering his 2nd year with DCBA. He currently coaches the JV boys basketball team and is a varsity assistant at Cascade High School. He just finished up his 5th year at Cascade. Tyler started coaching basketball in 2015 at Maquoketa High School. |
Brian McCleary
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Boys Coach
Coach Matt Walker is entering his second season at DCBA coaching the 13u level. Currently, Matt coaches the sophomore team at Wahlert Catholic in Dubuque, IA where he has been for the last 7 years. He has also spent the last two years as the varsity assistant coach. Matt graduated from Morningside College in 2000 as an all-American football player. He was inducted into the Morningside Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019. Matts playing and coaching experience brings invaluable wisdom to our young men at the middle school level and we are blessed to have him on the coaching staff! |
Connor Glasgow
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9u & 10u Youth Boys Coach
Connor is a 2024 graduate of Galena High School where he was a 4 year varsity player. He had a storied high school career as he is now the all time leader in points and rebounds at Galena. Connor is also apart of the 2024 DCBA class and will be going on to golf and play basketball at Benedictine. We are honored to have Connor apart of the DCBA staff and giving back to the players working to fill his shoes! |
Joe Andrew
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9u Boys Coach
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Mike Kascel
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16u Gold Coach
Coach Casel has been with DCBA for 3 years. His passion is teaching the game of basketball and seeing kids implement it into their games. Rick has taught at the college level, high school level as a varsity coach, junior high level and at the youth level for over 40 years. He has also coached at youth camps including University of Iowa (30 years), Snow Valley, Iowa State, and various high school camps around the area. Currently Rick teaches and coaches in the Bellevue School District. He and his wife Wendy have three children. |
Cole Claussen
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12u White Coach
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Demond George
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Middle School Boys Coach
For the DCBA coaches page! A 6-foot guard, George scored 1,070 points and averaged 3.0 reboundsand 2.4 assists in 99 career games, including 57 starts, at Loras. He helped the Duhawks win the American Rivers Conference championship and reach the NCAA Division III tournament’s Sweet 16 in his senior year and earned second-team all-A-R-C and honorable mention all-A-R-C with the Duhawks. George came to Dubuque following a stellar three-year varsity career at Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville. He helped his school win three conference championships and two regional championships while being named Upstate 8 All-Conference and landing a spot on the Dupage County All-Area Team. George earned a bachelor of arts degree in business administration and a minor in business analytics while at Loras. He stayed in Dubuque following graduation and served as a claims adjuster for CBCS. Coach George has 5 years of coaching experience under his belt, beginning with a middle school travel team for 2 years, and then moving on to coach the 9th grade boys basketball team at Wahlert. He has most recently accepted the head varsity coaching position at Dubuque Hempstead High School! Coach George is also very hands on with player development and offers sessions to all players apart of our program. |
Josie Potts
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10u Girls Coach
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