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Russell Took the Easties to the Top During 13-Year Run as Head Coach

For the past 13 years, Anthony Russell has helped the East Haven girls’ basketball team rise to tremendous heights while serving as the team’s head coach. Now, following a run in which he won 181 games, claimed a Class M state title, and experienced a myriad of memories, Russell has stepped down from his post as the Yellowjackets’ coach.

It was a difficult decision for Russell to leave the Easties’ bench. Russell loved the process of helping the Yellowjackets’ athletes realize their potential on the basketball court.

“This decision to step down was super emotional. I’ve been coaching basketball for 22 years. I’m really going to miss the relationships you make with the players. There are kids I coached back in 1999 that I still keep in touch with,” Russell said. “I honestly loved coming to work every single season, every single team, and every single day. It didn’t matter if we were winning a state title or 1-19—I enjoyed teaching the game. It was tough to walk away from.”

Russell competed for the East Haven boys’ basketball team before graduating in 1995. He served as the school’s head coach of outdoor track in 2002 and became the cross country head coach in 2003—a role he’s held for the past 18 years. Russell spent four years at Guilford and five years in East Haven as an assistant boys’ basketball coach under Ricky Narracci. When the head coaching position of the girls’ basketball team opened up in 2008, Russell was ready to take the job.

“I’m from East Haven. I was an assistant for almost a decade. The two previous coaches were East Haven alums, as well,” said Russell. “There was a whole lot of interest. I felt like I was ready to make the jump.”

While he was excited to be in a new role, Russell’s first three years on the job didn’t go as planned record-wise. The Yellowjackets went 10-50 through his first three seasons and finished with a record of 1-19 in year three. Russell said that struggling out the gate was humbling, but that it also allowed him to analyze, reflect, and grow as a basketball coach.

“I give credit to the girls on those teams. At some point when you’re mathematically eliminated from the tournament, it’s tough to get motivated every day in practice. Those teams were important. We laid the groundwork for how our system was going to run,” said Russell. “We wanted to create a culture and a climate where girls’ basketball was taken seriously. It took some time to get there, but those girls worked as hard as anyone else.”

Year after year, Russell and his coaching staff went into the new season trying to figure out how the team was going to shape up on the court. Over time, the Easties started to see massive improvement. In Russell’s 13 seasons as head coach, East Haven posted a record of 181-119, won the Class M state championship in 2018, made the SCC Tournament final each year from 2018 to 2020, and won five-straight division crowns from 2016 to 2020. The Yellowjackets also qualified for postseason play for the past 10 years under Russell’s tutelage.

“It took a lot of time and a lot of effort. In order to get a program where you want it to be championship caliber, first you need kids where basketball is at the forefront,” Russell said. “As a coach, you have to be involved all year-round. It is a 12-month-a-year job. Kids have summer programs, and it spills into fall leagues. Since I coach cross country in the fall, I’d start conditioning for basketball. It’s a merry-go-round.”

On March 17, 2018, the East Haven girls’ basketball team recorded its biggest win with Coach Russell. The Yellowjackets were locked in a 47-47 tie with Career as time was ticking down in the Class M state final. Bella Ragaini, who was a sophomore at the time, hoisted up a shot from the free-throw line that found the bottom of the net as the buzzer went off, giving the Yellowjackets a 49-47 victory for their first only state title in program history. East Haven finished with a record of 24-3 that season.

“It really felt like slow motion. The ball bounced off the rim, and you can see Bella filter her way in. When it went in, I honestly couldn’t believe it. The girls started celebrating and went to center court. It became a reality,” said Russell. “What an experience for our girls, for our team, for our school, for our town. It was really important. It’s an experience I wish for every kid and every coach. I’ll never forget it.”

Taylor Salato was a freshman on that year’s team. As a senior, she served as a captain of the Yellowjackets and earned All-State honors this winter. Salato, who will continue her basketball career at Eastern Connecticut State University, said that Russell always pushed her to perform her best and helped her become the best basketball player she could be.

“Playing for Coach Russell is an experience I’ll always cherish. He always inspired me every day to be better than the day before. He taught me that perseverance was key to make it through tough times,” said Salato. “Coach Russell has shared many life lessons with me that I will take with me as I continue my basketball career in college. I am very happy that I got the chance to play with him these last four years.”

During his 13 years at the helm of the Yellowjackets, Russell preached to his athletes that the team aspect of sports is the most important thing. He would tell them that individual goals come secondary to the team’s goals. Russell always asked for 110 percent from his players and wanted all of his squads to function like a family.

With two young boys, aged two and five, Russell felt that now was the right time to step down as the Easties’ head coach. However, while he may be leaving the program, Russell said that East Haven girls’ basketball will always be a part of him and that he’s excited to see what the future holds.

“It’s something I’ll cherish for the rest of my life. Between cross country, basketball, and track and field, I’ve coached in 53 total seasons. Being a coach is a part of who I am,” Russell said. “I’m looking forward to seeing another coach coming in and incorporating their brand. Hopefully, I can be a support system. No matter who it is, I want to see the team do well. It was a wonderful experience for my family.”