The Beginning of something special...
Before Phantom Basketball even had a name, a Division I basketball player and coach became a dad. Cary, noticing well-intentioned coaches focusing on the wrong aspects of player development, believed he could make a difference. He saw the potential to transform a random group of kids into a competitive team by teaching them the correct way to play basketball.
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This belief proved true when Cary took a small-town school team, which had won zero games in their first season, and turned them into multi-tournament and league champions, including the St. Bernadette March Madness Champions the following year. Other coaches began to notice and wonder what Cary was doing to develop these regular kids into defensive animals and creative offensive players.
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The secret to Cary’s success was his ability to teach kids how to play the game properly, creating the most valuable asset any team can have: skilled and knowledgeable players. This philosophy laid the foundation for what would become Phantom Basketball, a club dedicated to developing long-term skilled players through proper coaching and guidance.
Chemistry grows and things come together...
Continuing to coach the small-town school team, Cary decided to also start a separate select team. He carefully built a roster, always finding ways to fill the roles necessary for the high level of play required and expected. Through sponsorships and fundraising, Coach Cochran was able to bring this dream to life. Hours of thought went into the mission, philosophy, vision, and even the name “Phantom”.
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In its inaugural year, Phantom Basketball’s first team demonstrated remarkable growth and success. The journey began with skills work twice a week from June to July, laying a solid foundation for the season ahead.
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Tournament Highlights:
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July 12-13: Sioux City Classic - Record: 3-2 (Top Division), with only 2 actual practices.
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Nov 2-3: Original Crossover - Record: 3-0, with scores of 80-35, 61-22, and 76-17. Despite being dropped due to a misunderstanding, the team secured the Tourney Title.
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Nov 9-10: Metro Triple Threat - Record: 2-1 (Top Division).
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Dec 7-8: SSA Winter Jam - Record: 1-2 (Top Division).
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Dec 15-17: Real Deal Holiday Jam - Record: 2-0 (with one cancellation), earning the Tourney Title.
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Jan 10-12: New Year’s Frenzy - Record: 2-1, Tourney Champs, despite losing the first game after a month-long layoff.
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Jan 18-19: Supreme I-80 Shootout - Record: 3-0, Tourney Champs.
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Feb 8-9: Net Knockout - Record: 1-2.
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Feb 28-Mar 2: Midwest Regional - Record: 4-0, Tourney Champs (Top Division).
Overall Achievements:
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4 Tourney Titles
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Season Record: 21-7
This impressive performance in their first year set the stage for Phantom Basketball’s continued success and growth, showcasing the team’s dedication and Cary’s exceptional coaching abilities.
Coach Cochran
Cary is the founder of Phantom Basketball and a hall-of-fame basketball player. He holds top rankings in Iowa for career points, assists, and three-pointers. Cary’s impressive journey includes being a starter at the University of Nebraska and playing professionally.
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Transitioning from player to coach, Cary has five years of Division I coaching experience and over 12 years of youth basketball coaching. He currently leads our 6th grade team, the 2025 Regional Champion Phantom Basketball Team. Cary is also responsible for shaping the club’s coaching play style and guiding the coaches of all age groups.
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With his extensive background and dedication, Cary continues to inspire and develop young athletes at Phantom Basketball.
