FREDERICK'S FINEST
AAU BASKETBALL
Coach Colby Jackson
Colby brings a wealth of experience in coaching boys and girls at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. As the Head Coach of the Governor Thomas Johnson High School Girls Varsity team, he is dedicated to fostering both athletic skills and personal growth. In 2010, he founded the Finest AAU Basketball Program, where young athletes not only learn the fundamentals of basketball but also the importance of being a good person, friend, and teammate. Colby's unwavering belief in hard work paves the way for success, and his passion for the game is evident every practice and every game!
Coach Eric Clipper
Coach Eric started his basketball coaching career as an assistant at West Frederick middle school in 2013. After a few years Coach Eric became the head junior varsity coach, in which he led them to a Mid-Maryland championship in the 19-20 season. During those years at the middle school level, Coach Eric joined the Frederick finest staff. Due to Covid, he took some years off but he’s back! Coach Eric is currently the Head Coach of the junior varsity girls basketball team at Governor Thomas Johnson High School.
Coach Bailey Griffin Costlow
Coach Bailey played basketball at Monocacy Middle and Thomas Johnson High School. In her 11th and 12th grade seasons, she was a Varsity captain, all-county player, and set several school 3-pt shooting records. After graduating from University of Maryland in 2017, she began assistant coaching at Monocacy Middle. In 2024, she began coaching AAU with Frederick’s Finest. Later in 2024, she became an assistant coach at her alma mater, Thomas Johnson High School, under Coach Colby Jackson.
Coach Jen Ways
Coach Jen Ways is excited to have an opportunity to return to coaching basketball and giving back to the Frederick area youth community. Coach Ways has 10 years experience coaching high school girls basketball in Frederick and Carroll Counties including trips to the state semifinals and/or finals. Prior to coaching, she was a MVP and Coach’s Award selection for UMBC Women’s Basketball. Coach Ways started her basketball journey at Linganore High School as a four year starting point guard playing with the 1991-92 undefeated state champions and also played for Team Irving the only AAU team in the area at the time. She finished her high school career as a valedictorian, FNP Girl’s Basketball Co-Player of the year, and Frederick County Co-Senior Girl’s Scholar Athlete of the year.
Coach Sara Nicholson
Coach Sara played AAU with Frederick's Finest from 2015-2019. She began her coaching career in 2021 as an assistant coach for Urbana Middle School varsity. In 2023,she joined the Frederick’s Finest coaching staff. In 2024, she joined Coach Colby Jackson as an assistant coach at Thomas Johnson High School. Whether it’s working on 1 on 1 with the players to perfect a skill, or helping with schoolwork during the winter season, Coach Sara is always there. She believes from personal experience with the Frederick’s Finest family, that the program has always been an amazing environment to further skills for life, as well as basketball with the ability to reach the collegiate level.
Coach Savannah Rininger
Savannah Rininger is a dedicated coach with a strong background in exercise science, athletic performance, and youth development. A former two-time 3A state champion in high school basketball, she understands the discipline, strategy, and teamwork required to succeed at a high level.
Earning her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science with a Minor in Economics from Towson University (Fall 2024), Savannah combines
her academic knowledge with hands-on experience. As a General Manager and Certified Stretch Practitioner at Stretch Zone, she specializes in improving flexibility, mobility, and overall athletic performance through personalized training plans.
Savannah’s passion for coaching was reinforced in the summer of 2024 when she led a 6th & 7th grade girls' AAU basketball team, developing young athletes both physically and mentally. With a commitment to growth, performance, and injury prevention, she is dedicated to helping athletes reach their full potential on and off the court.