From the Court to the Mic: Wash House Hoops Hits the Airwaves with JegnaTalk For Youth By Youth

On a crisp December day, the KC Washington High School Boys Basketball Team (Season of 2025–26) stepped off the court and into a different kind of arena — the Jegna Klub Headquarters. Jerseys were replaced with microphones, and game-day focus shifted to conversation, reflection, and storytelling. What followed was more than an interview; it was a moment rooted in community, authenticity, and youth voice — one that will be shared with listeners across JEGNAFEST Worldwide Radio and viewers on the Jegna Klub TV Network this January.

For many of the players, it was their first time being interviewed in a professional media setting. That reality brought a mix of excitement and nerves. “I was a little nervous because I had really never done something like this before,” admitted Elliott Berry Jr as he reflected on the moments leading up to the interview. But once the conversation began, the nerves faded. “I felt real calm about it and how smooth it was going,” he said afterward, describing the experience as “fun” — especially because it was the first podcast he had ever done.

That transition from nervous anticipation to comfort was a shared experience. Jamari Williams felt the same initial uneasiness. “I was feeling a little nervous,” he said simply. But by the end, what stood out most to him wasn’t just the interview — it was the space itself. Being interviewed in the inner city, in a place that reflected his lived experience, made an impact. When asked to describe the day in one word, his answer was immediate: “Home.”

That feeling of home echoed throughout the room. The Jegna Klub, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth through coaching, education, and real-world media experiences, intentionally creates environments where young people feel seen and heard. Through programs like JegnaTalk: For Youth By Youth and JEGNAFEST Worldwide Radio, youth are not only guests — they are collaborators, interviewers, and leaders, encouraged to speak honestly about who they are and where they come from.

That authenticity was immediately noticeable to Jayden Boggess, who arrived unsure of what to expect. “I just didn’t know what it was going to be like — Green didn’t give us too many details,” he said with a laugh. What surprised him most wasn’t just the professional setup, but how personal the questions felt. “I really liked that our questions were tailored to us personally,” he explained, noting that they weren’t generic but specific to Washington basketball and the players themselves.

Jayden also appreciated the connection between the interns and the team. “They’re from Wyandotte. They’ve been tuned into what we have going on at Washington,” he shared. “He’s been to see us play and plans on coming.” That familiarity transformed the interview into something deeper than promotion. “It almost felt like family,” Jayden said. “Everything felt natural and out of love for us and our community.”

Behind the microphones, the youth interns felt that same energy. Bryan Ordaz, the lead interviewer, came in feeling “nervous but excited.” While he’s interviewed athletes before, every new conversation brings anticipation. Once the interview got going, that nervousness disappeared. “Throughout the interview I felt calm — there was definitely a vibe with everyone, so it was overall fun,” he said. His favorite moment came when laughter filled the room. “It felt like there was no reason to worry about messing up.”

That relaxed, genuine atmosphere was exactly what Coach Michael E. Green II hoped his players would experience. “I was confident coming in,” he said, knowing the space would allow honesty. Watching his team engage, he felt proud of how naturally they opened up. What stood out most to him was the environment itself — “the vibe… a place and a location that is relatable to what KCK is.”

Coach Green also highlighted the interns’ authenticity. “The kids asking the questions were not trying to be anything but themselves — and that’s easier to respond to,” he explained. That genuineness, he believes, added real value for his players both on and off the court. “It added something real,” he said. “That’s important.”

Supporting from behind the scenes, Jegna Klub Coach Keyz focused on preparation and readiness. Going into the interview, his priority was making sure the players were comfortable. As the session unfolded, his concerns turned into reassurance. “The confidence the players and coach felt about the upcoming season left me reassured,” he shared. One of the most meaningful parts for him was learning about the players’ upbringings — stories that often stay off the stat sheet.

For co-interviewer Delano, the experience reinforced a belief he already carries. “I was confident before the interview, and I stayed chill throughout,” he said. Asking questions and learning about the team was his favorite part, and the lesson he took with him was simple but powerful: “Always have confidence in your words.”

Another interviewer, Teon, brought experience from past interviews and found the process familiar yet still impactful. Preparation stood out most to him, along with a reminder many communicators learn over time: “Don’t talk as fast.”

By the end of the visit, the Washington players weren’t just athletes who completed an interview — they were young men who had stepped into their voices. For Elliott, the experience sparked interest in doing it again. “It was a real fun experience that I would love to do again,” he said.

That’s the heart of what unfolded at The Jegna Klub Headquarters — a space where youth felt seen, heard, and supported. Where basketball met community. And where stories from the court became stories for life.

Tune In and Celebrate with Us

Don’t miss the full interview and stories from the Washington High School Boys Basketball Team as they share their journey, talk about their season ahead, and reflect on what community, confidence, and competition mean to them.

Mark your calendars for the upcoming spotlight of the interviews on JEGNAFEST Worldwide Radio, syndicated across 152 stations globally:

Airing on 103.7 DaBeat Saturday (1/10/26) 12:00 pm CST & Wednesday (1/14/26) 6:00 pm CST (Click Link Here scroll down to player and press play)

Airing on The Ryan Show FM Thursday (1/15/26) 10:00 pm CST (Click Link Here scroll down to logo and click)

Catch the Full Interview

Don’t miss the full interview streaming on Jegna Klub TV Network (available on Roku, Amazon, Apple, and Android) on Friday (1/16/26) 6:00 pm CST

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