Coaches

Pollyanna Kimbrough

Director of Teams

Coach Pollyanna brings a wealth of experience at the highest levels of the game. A former WNBA player, she competed for the Cleveland Rockers, Miami Sol, and Houston Comets, after a standout college career at the University of Michigan, where she graduated as the program’s all-time leading rebounder (928), ranked second all-time in scoring (1,558 points), and earned All-Big Ten honors — cementing her place as one of the Wolverines’ all-time greats.

Her professional career spanned both the WNBA and overseas, making her one of the most accomplished players to ever step onto the court in Lake County.

Today, Coach Pollyanna channels that elite background into developing the next generation of Take Over athletes. She combines pro-level knowledge, player development expertise, and a passion for mentorship, giving our girls a model of what’s possible through hard work and determination. As Director of Teams at Take Over Basketball she oversees team operations, coach mentoring, player development structure, and program alignment across all age groups.

From the biggest stages of women’s basketball to the Take Over family, Coach Pollyanna is here to inspire, teach, and push our players to greatness.

Alex Ward-Hibbert (Haley)

Program Director, Youth Academy Director, Director of Player Development

Alex (Haley) Ward-Hibbert is a Libertyville native who led Libertyville High School to three straight NSC Conference Championships while earning All-Conference and All-Area honors.

Following a standout high school career, Alex received multiple NCAA scholarship offers. She played three seasons at Minot State University before transferring to Lindenwood University for her senior season, where she led the Lions to the program’s first-ever Conference Championship semifinal appearance.

Following her collegiate career, Alex gained the attention of professional teams in Europe and accepted an offer to play in the WBBL (Women’s British Basketball League), where she went on to win two championships during her four-year professional playing career.

After retiring from playing, Alex was offered the Head Women’s Basketball Coaching position at the prestigious University of Oxford (England), leading The Blues to an impressive 17–3 record. She also served as an Assistant Coach for the Nottingham Wildcats professional team and Head Coach of the U18s at Charnwood College Basketball Academy, continuing to build a strong reputation for elite player development and team culture.

Alex now serves as Program Director, Youth Program Director, and Director of Player Development at Take Over Basketball, where she leads the vision and growth of the youth academy while overseeing player development across all age groups. She is passionate about building meaningful relationships and instilling the core values of hard work, accountability and resilience in every athlete within the Take Over program.

Matthew Ward-Hibbert

15U National Team Head Coach, Boys Development Trainer

Coach Matt brings elite experience and unmatched passion to Take Over. A former member of the England International Team, after winning the British National Championship his senior year, he honed his game at the prestigious Princeton Day Academy before taking his talents to the collegiate level and competing professionally overseas in multiple countries.

On the sidelines, Coach Matt has proven himself just as dominant — last season he led our 8th Grade Take Over team to a 22–2 record, setting the standard for what hard work and dedication can achieve.

Coach Matt leads our Boys Training, helping elite players in Lake County reach their full potential through his intensity, experience, and player-first approach.

More than a coach, he’s a leader, mentor, and motivator who inspires athletes to push beyond their limits. His global playing background, competitive fire, and relentless drive make him one of the most respected and exciting coaches around.

Marcus Washington

14U Head Coach

Coach Marcus brings a championship mindset and proven success to Take Over. As a player, he competed through high school and AAU, highlighted by winning a Division II National Championship with the Charleston Sharks. That experience gave him a firsthand understanding of what it takes to win at the highest levels and built the foundation for his coaching career.

On the sidelines, Marcus has been just as impactful. Currently in his 5th year at Carmel Catholic High School, he has led freshman teams to incredible records of 18–1, 22–5, and 21–7. He was also part of the Carmel Catholic staff that captured the 2022 IHSA 3A Girls State Championship, gaining invaluable experience in a championship program.

At Take Over, Marcus brings 7 years of coaching expertise to our athletes, guiding them with a focus on development, discipline, and long-term growth. His leadership and energy make him a key part of our coaching staff.

More than just a coach, Marcus is a mentor. Growing up without a father figure at home, he credits his coaches—and his faith—for shaping him both as a player and a man. That influence fuels his passion to give back and use basketball as a platform to help athletes reach their full potential on and off the court.

Jameson Montgomery

11U Head Coach

Coach Jamie’s basketball journey began at Antioch Community High School, where he distinguished himself as the only player to start every game his senior year. His relentless work ethic earned him the Most Improved Player award — proof of his dedication to growth and his commitment to his team. From there, Jamie went on to North Central College, further sharpening his understanding of the game and developing the leadership qualities that would become the core of his coaching style.

For the past decade, Jamie has been pouring his passion into coaching youth basketball, with a special focus on middle school players. He has a true gift for connecting with young athletes — meeting them where they are, building their confidence, and inspiring them to believe in what’s possible. His approach blends strong fundamentals with mentorship, teaching not just skills, but the values of teamwork, perseverance, and love for the game.

Coach Jamie is known for the way he lights up a gym full of kids. He has an incredible ability to make players feel seen, supported, and motivated to work harder than they thought possible. He doesn’t just teach basketball — he helps shape young athletes into confident leaders on and off the court.

Jason Johnson

Recruitment Coordinator

Coach Jason is Lake County through and through. A 4-year varsity standout at Carmel Catholic High School, he earned All-Lake County and All-Area honors before turning his passion for the game into a lifelong commitment to developing players.

With over 15 years of coaching experience — including time with Kessel Heat and North Chicago High School — Coach Jason has worked with athletes from 4th grade all the way through high school. He’s known for building confidence, sharpening skills, and preparing players to compete at the highest level.