Jamie Russell has been a successful boys basketball for multiple schools around Eastern Maine. One of those schools is Central high school.
Russell will now get the opportunity to coach the Central girls basketball team. Russell takes over for Diane Rollins, who had a lot of success leading the Lady Red Devils, including a state title in 2012.
“I am reluctant to talk about individual players for the Central girls. They obviously have a strong nucleus of girls coming back,”Russell said. “Coach Rolllins ran a strong program and I hope I can contribute in a positive way to keep it successful.”
On Monday night, the RSU 64 school board approved Russell to coach the Central girls. Russell steps down as boys basketball coach at Piscataquis Community High School (PCHS).
“We are lucky to have Coach Russell as the new girls varsity basketball head coach. His 30+ years of coaching experience along with his knowledge of the game made him an easy choice for us,”Central athletic director Matt Arsenault said. “We’re excited for him and the direction of the girls basketball program.”
Russell will leave a PCHS team that has a strong nucleus returning.
“PCSS is in a good situation – they have four starters back, Dillon Drew, Cam Kane, Damyon True and one of the best players in Eastern Maine, Bryce Gilbert. Adam Bagley & Eben Cooley played important roles last season and should have an even bigger impact next year,”Russell said. “There were six freshmen in the program and the PCMS A team played in the Penquis League semi finals and had a very successful year. Bryce’s younger brother, Kobe, is fun to watch and will more than likely be a factor on the varsity next season. Our jayvee coach, Alden Gregory, knows the kids well and does an outstanding job of teaching the game. It is a very difficult to walk away from this group. I will miss them and their families very much. ”
Russell has over 340 wins in his 32 years of coaching. He coached at Penobscot Valley high school (PVHS) before his most recent stint at PCHS.
