Johnston High School made a noteworthy hire official this week when it signed former Cranston East girls basketball coach Jhamal Diggs as its new girls hoops coach for next season.

Diggs became one of the top coaches in the state after three successful seasons with the Bolts from 2019-2021. Diggs took over the East program as one of the youngest coaches in Rhode Island and immediately made his presence felt as the team would reach the open state tournament and the Division II playoffs in consecutive seasons. Diggs garnered Coach of the Year honors and went on to be an assistant coach at Rhode Island College in 2022-23.

Diggs is excited to return to the high school scene and immerse himself in the Johnston community.

“Johnston is well-known for its great basketball community,” said Diggs. “It was something that I sat back and thought on for a bit and I thought, ‘Why not?’ Why not help a program that needs help rebuilding, why not be part of something that will be great in the future?”

The Panthers dropped to Division IV last season and reached the playoffs. Although Johnston had a solid year in its new division, the team is still looking to rebuild its roster and find long-term success after some up and down years.

“I’ve been through it before, I know what it takes, I understand what I need to do. I’m more excited than anything. I know it’s going to be hard, but I’m just excited to get to work with a new group of athletes,” said Diggs. “I’ve coached against (Johnston) so I am familiar with them from that aspect, they graduated two starters but everyone else is coming back. I know them pretty well but personality-wise it will take some time. I think it’s a group that can surprise a lot of people. It will take some time, but they can make things happen.”

One key player in the mix will be rising sophomore Bella Gesualdi, who enjoyed a breakout campaign last season and has been coached by Diggs at the AAU level.

“That’s someone who I’m looking to have an impact right away,” said Diggs.

Diggs is looking to use his experience at East to help him hit the ground running in his new home, and he believes that the Panthers have what it takes to find success next winter.

“It’s another opportunity to help kids in the community reach their goal. That’s what I take pride in. When I got to East, that’s what I wanted to do. Help kids achieve their goals and work together. That’s what I want to do with this opportunity,” said Diggs. “Help these kids believe in each other and be better basketball players.”