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2 coaches
join PSA
It sounds simple, but Devin Hill wants good people to be part of his girls’ basketball program at Putnam Science Academy.
And Hill, the head coach of PSA’s prep team, feels quite confident that two really good people have just joined his coaching staff.
Jasmyne Fogle and Ashley Wilson, both of whom played college basketball, have been hired as Hill’s top assistant with the prep team and as the head coach of PSA’s second girls’ basketball team, respectively. Wilson will also be an assistant on the prep team, as the schedule permits. Both will also teach at the school next year.
“They are both the total package,” Hill said. “Coaching experience, playing experience, work ethic, and maybe most importantly the girls are going to enjoy being around them. I really like them both. I felt they were both really genuine people. So they both were no brainers.”
Fogle, 25, grew up and still lives in Bridgeport. She played at and graduated from Franklin Pierce University but suffered a knee injury that cost her her senior season on the court. She transferred to Post University to play her graduate year there, where she played through torn knee cartilage and, unbeknownst to her, a torn ACL. She spent the last two basketball seasons as a graduate assistant coach at Iona College.
“My experiences, as a player and coach, they have prepared me to be a better version of myself and to be a better coach,” said Fogle. “A lot of the time when you’re just playing the game, you don’t realize how much other stuff goes on behind the scenes.
“My thing is, I love to inspire the younger generation. I believe I had a great college career, and to couple that with what I learned at Iona, it really gives me a well-rounded sense of the game. I can use that – my playing career, my coaching experience, and most importantly my life experiences – to hopefully inspire the girls we have at PSA. I’m really excited to start this new journey.”
Wilson, who will turn 27 in June, has a wealth of experience as well. A native of Portage, Mich., where she still lives, Wilson played Division II basketball at Wayne State University near Detroit. When she was done there, “I was so fortunate to get the opportunity to go overseas,” she said, “and see the world while playing the game I love.”
She played professionally in Portugal (“the fans were great, but let’s just say soccer is definitely more their thing”), then went to China and Hong Kong and Thailand playing in FIBA 3-on-3 tournaments (“The people there, oh, they love the game, from the babies on up. You feel the passion there. They treated you like a star and were crazy about you.”).
“My experiences have been great,” Wilson said. “I was travelling and playing, and just seeing how basketball connects the world, really.”
Wilson got into coaching working at NBA-affiliated Nike academies overseas as well.
“I always wanted to get back into coaching,” she said. “This is a great opportunity to work with girls who are hungry to play. I think my experience playing in college and overseas plus coaching abroad, I just have a lot of knowledge to share with girls who are looking to play at a high level, who want to push themselves and each other, and make that jump from being good to great.”
Hill has yet to meet either of his new coaches, but is understandably excited about getting everyone back on campus as soon as possible and getting things going.
“I think we’ve got two really good basketball teams at PSA,” he said. “And we’re bringing in coaches that are going to elevate our program even more. It’s an exciting time.”
Stephen Nalbandian
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy
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