Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Brady Hammond
After previous coaching stints at Rock Bridge, Windsor, and Liberty high schools, Coach Hammond
became the head coach for the Warriors in the summer of 2015. Hammond played ball at nearby Liberty
High School from 2002-2005 and obtained his undergraduate degree at the University of Missouri in
2009. Besides basketball, Hammond enjoys being involved with his church, working out, and spending
time with his friends and family. He currently resides in Liberty, MO with his wife Alyssa.
Email: [email protected]
JV Coach: Eric Bennaka
Coach Bennaka graduated from Missouri State University in 2012. Upon graduating, he returned to his
alma mater—Fort Osage High School—to coach basketball as a varsity assistant for two years. He then
began his teaching and coaching career here in Smithville in 2014. Besides coaching basketball, Bennaka
enjoys golf, hunting, fishing, and attending concerts. He currently resides in Kearney, MO with his wife
Lauren.
Email: [email protected]
Freshman Coach: Adam Heslinga
As a volunteer coach as well as a personal basketball instructor, Coach Heslinga already had a familiar
presence around the Smithville Basketball program before accepting the head freshmen position in
2016. Before coming to Smithville, Heslinga was a two-year starter at Shenandoah High School in
Shenandoah, Iowa where he also played baseball. In his free time, Heslinga enjoys spending time with
his friends and family—especially while watching sports. He currently is attending Missouri Western
University where he is pursuing a degree in physical education.
Email: [email protected]
8th Grade: Ross Parker
Coach Parker attended Rolla High School in Rolla, MO where he participated in football and baseball.
Upon graduating from the University of Central Missouri in 2015, Parker started teaching physical
education and coaching football and basketball at Smithville Middle School. Besides coaching, Ross
enjoys golfing, hunting, fishing, and spending time with his friends and family. He currently resides in
Bonner Springs, KS with his wife Katia.
Email: [email protected]
8th Grade Assistant: Nathan Barker
Coach Barker grew up in a small town called Lenox, Iowa where he played basketball at Lenox High
School. Upon graduating from Northwest Missouri State in 2015, Barker accepted his first teaching and
coaching position in the Smithville School District. Besides coaching, Barker enjoys playing/watching
sports and traveling. He currently resides in Kansas City, MO.
Email: [email protected]
7th Grade: Cody Holt
Coach Holt began his teaching career in Smithville upon graduating from Park University in 2014. A fouryear varsity player at Lakeland High School, Holt has coached middle school basketball upon arriving in
Smithville--first for the 8th grade girls and now for the 7th grade boys. Besides coaching, Holt enjoys
reading, traveling, and spending time with his family. He currently resides in Trimble, MO with his wife
Shaya.
Email: [email protected]
7th Grade Assistant: Todd Opperman
A graduate of Eastern Illinois University, Coach Opperman started his coaching career as a varsity coach
at Grace High School in the 1980s. He eventually found his way to Smithville where he became the girls’
freshmen coach in 1999. He switched over to coaching 7th grade boys in 2007. In his free time,
Opperman enjoys spending time doing anything with his family. He currently resides in Olathe, KS with
his wife Jennifer. They have three sons and a daughter they are extremely proud of.
Email: [email protected]