Then and Now: Gateway Basketball
From Asphalt to Arena: The Early Days
“Gateway basketball began on asphalt, shooting hoops at a portable plexiglass backboard with a hole, graduated to a gym and an intramural league of our own, then finally evolved to our current elite varsity squad playing other schools with, without a doubt, the greatest fan following in the entire league,” recalls Gateway’s first basketball coach and current faculty member Woody Latham. “Gateway basketball brings out the best in Gateway. Teamwork, unity, and a sense of belonging.”
Basketball at Gateway started humbly. At the school’s first location, students grabbed every chance to play during breaks, after school, and at Family Fun Nights when staff and students squared off in spirited matches. The love for the game was contagious. Just shooting hoops on that worn portable backboard set the tone for years to come.
Gryphon Basketball, 2014 with Coach Latham
Early basketball in the new gym
Growing Structure and Community
When Gateway moved to its current campus, basketball became more organized. Students played intramural games and competed in the Texas Kingdom Christian Sports Association. The first official season featured three coaches, two staff members and a dedicated volunteer, and a single win to celebrate. By the second season, the coaching staff grew to four, and the team expanded enough to field both a freshman and a varsity squad. Freshmen notched one win, and varsity earned two.
Family Fun Night gets competitive
Despite the early struggles, the foundation was laid. Seniors like Wes, Ashton, Jackson, and Holden embodied dedication, passion, and leadership. They built a culture where varsity versus freshmen scrimmages were fiercely competitive, practices were intense, and the love of basketball extended far beyond the court. The seniors’ energy helped Gateway’s basketball culture evolve from casual play into a school-wide passion.
New uniforms
From Pioneers to Playoffs
As pioneers graduated, the teams combined, but their legacy lived on. Gateway’s varsity squads achieved seasons of 6-1 and 4-3, carrying the tradition forward. Today, a mix of staff and five volunteer coaches continue the commitment, arriving for practice everyday at 7:15 a.m., and coaching games during the season on Friday nights - Prime Time!
This year, the Gateway Gryphon basketball team won four games and reached the semi-finals of the newly established league tournament. For many players, it is their first time on a basketball court. From learning to dribble, to mastering a zone defense, to scoring in a game, the growth is remarkable. Current Head Coach Steve Curtright notes, “Little steps lead to big things. I tell our players that it is okay to fail. I want them to. Fail forward. But quitting is not allowed. Keep shooting, keep playing hard, and leave it all on the court.”
Pep rallies
Basketball as Part of Gateway DNA
Gateway basketball is more than a sport. It is a vehicle for life lessons. Players take lessons from the court into classrooms, internships, and everyday life. The program continues to build on 20 years of competitive play, fostering leadership, resilience, and a sense of community. From asphalt hoops to semi-final victories, basketball has been part of Gateway’s DNA since day one.
Texas Kingdom Christian Sports Association
As Advancement Director, Steve oversees Gateway's fundraising efforts and donor engagement. For the past 3 years, he has coached Gateway’s basketball team. Before joining Gateway in 2022, Steve spent nine years at the University of South Carolina working in alumni relations and student affairs. Steve earned his B.A. in Political Science at the University of Nebraska ('09) and his M.Ed. in Administration at the University of Arkansas ('13).