At just 28 years old, Jhamal Diggs was one of the state’s youngest coaches heading into the 2020-21 winter basketball season last year and was only in his second campaign as the East girls’ head coach.

After a disappointing season the year before, expectations were low for the Lady Bolts and things appeared to be only getting worse midway through the regular season. The team was well outside of the playoff picture, did not have a true identity, and was hoping to simply compete down the stretch.

However, a switch would flip, and East would rattle off five straight wins to earn a playoff spot, then would go on to collect a playoff win in the preliminary round to shock the state.

For the team’s turnaround, Diggs was eventually named the divisions coach of the year and became one of the top coaching prospects in the state.

Part of Diggs’ success in breaking through to the players was raising his expectations.

“I was a lot more strict and I was more assertive. I demanded success this year, I demanded that they make the right decisions and make the right plays. The first year I came in and just stated my expectations, trying to get a feel for everyone, but this year I was much more assertive with (those expectations),” Diggs said.

The Lady Bolts have jumped out to a solid start this winter with a record of 3-1. East is no longer flying under the radar and figures to once again be a factor down the stretch this winter.