By Chris Parker
East Newton girls basketball has a new head coach in Jason Cole this year. Cole was the head coach at Exeter for 10 years compiling a 194-84 record including winning the 2009 state championship and finishing runner-up in 2011.
He stepped away from coaching for eight years, but was ready to get back.
“I had been in administration the past eight years and have been wanting to get back into coaching for the last few years and this presented a good opportunity for me,” Cole said.
He takes over an East Newton program that posted a 6-16 record last year. The Patriots haven’t posted a winning season since 2015-16.
Eight players return for East Newton this year including: Alyssa Coffey (senior), Makenna Braiser (senior), Kaytlyn Cook (senior), Shaw Coburn (junior), Josie Guinn (junior), Gracie Johnson (junior), Brooklyn Blanchard (sophomore) and Cameran Clement (sophomore).
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Coffey averaged 6.8 points and 6.3 rebounds last year. Coburn is the leading returning scorer after she averaged 9.7 ppg to go with 2.9 rpg. Guinn is a strong shooter who returns with averages of 8.1 points and 4 rebounds per game. Braiser runs the point and averaged 4.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game.
Sophomore Adison Graffis and freshman Kylee Cole will be newcomers to watch.
“Overall team speed will be our biggest asset. We will need to find ways to use it at both ends of the floor,” Cole said. “We will need to establish our identity on the offensive and defensive end and be consistent in how we approach it daily.”
East Newton opens the season on Nov. 22 at home against Joplin.
“With this being my first year in the program, our success will be directly tied to our understanding of the changes we are making and buy in from top to bottom,” Cole said. “As a staff we will work to play a style that fits the makeup of our team at both ends of the floor. We have had a number of athletes work hard in the off-season to not only prepare for the upcoming season, but change the culture of the program as we move forward. If we are able to make the changes needed in how we approach the importance of working hard in practice mentally and physically we will take a big step forward. I am excited to get started as I have already seen several players buy into what we want our program’s culture to be.”
