New Era at New Albany as Jackie Russell Leads Lady Eagles in 23-24
By Deon Cash
Last Season the New Albany girls basketball team was solid, but didn't hit their expectations.
Under the direction of Phil Sikorski, the legendary coach, the girls team would be solid, with a 52-38 record over the last four seasons and a 11-13 season last year.
Their talent indicated that they were possibly one of the better teams in the area. However, a 2nd round OHSAA Tournament exit ended their season, the wheels turned over, and as a result a new coach was hired.
Sikorski would retire after leading the Lady Eagles team the last four seasons. He had coached for 32 years total.
Who would be the new girls coach at New Albany?
After a lengthy search, they decided on a coach that was already within the program.
Jackie Russell is the new Womens Head Coach at New Albany, and after a pre-season, she will get her troops ready for the season in the Ohio Capital Conference as they tip-off this Thanksgiving weekend.
Russell was an assistant coach under Sikorski the previous season. Russell is a former Bishop Hartley product who went to play college at Miami - Hamilton and OSU-Newark before inuries derailed her career. She is ecstatic to have the opportunity to jump in the coaching realm at this stage of her life.
"I'm thrilled to start my head coaching career here at New Albany. I want to thank the organization for giving me a chance. Now it's time to get to work." Russell would state in a phone interview.
Russell talked about the scrimmages, and what she has seen thus far.
"The first scrimmage? It wasn't pretty. We were not up to the task." Russell stated.
"In the second scrimmage we got better, but it wasn't until the 3rd scrimmage (Reynoldsburg) until we seen real progress. That's when we started to see some of our key players making plays, the team playing with intensity and purpose, and showcasing how we can play effectively as a team."
With a core group of good upperclassmen led by seniors Libby Henry and McKenna Stultz, New Albany should be ready for a "Bounce Back" season.
Throw in a fabulous freshman Julia Evans along with a couple more "Ready To Go" underclassman in Sophomores Kira Hurst and Mary Kidwell and Russell and her troops are ready to go to war this weekend.
"We're excited for the start of the season (Friday @ Thomas Worthington) in the Newark Classic. I want our girls to compete from the jump," Russell would state.
While Russell is a pup in the coaching scene, make no mistake; she is a hard worker, has put in time in the coaching circuit, and is ready for the challenge. She has one of the youngest coaching staffs in all of Ohio with her, but knows they are up for the challenge.
This weekend New Albany is playing in the Newark Classic, followed by their first home game on Tuesday, November 27th.
They lost last night to Thomas Worthington and will face a tough Olentangy Braves team tonight (6pm ET).
Congratulations to Russell and her staff on their journey.
Follow Russell, the New Albany Lady Eagles, and S.E.Live!365 during the 2023-24 basketball season.
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