The rich history for Putnam County girls’ basketball continued on Dec. 14, as head coach Sha’Kedra Ellison and her Putnam County Middle School (PCMS) squad captured an unprecedented third-straight Middle School Championship with a 16-0 record.
The PCMS girls beat Oak Hill Middle School in the final for the title.
The team hosted Thomson last Monday and it was business as usual with a 59-30 victory to advance to the final on Thursday night.
Preparing for the final, whether it was their first or their third time, each of the PCMS girls was reminded by Ellison, “Relax and just do what we know how to do best and that’s play the game of basketball. We aren’t new to this, we’re true to this, so go out and perform like I know you can.”
Both teams came in knowing exactly what needed to be done, but at the final buzzer, Putnam’s Lady Eagles were victorious 41-21 over Oak Hill.
Ellison began coaching in 2020 at the Putnam County Recreation Department, where she led a group of 9- and 10-year-old girls to a first-place finish in their league that season.
She took over the PCMS squad three years ago, wanting to help the program in any way she could, even as a community coach; but instead, she was appointed to the head coaching position and has never looked back.
Going into her third year as head coach, Ellison’s resume – and that of her talented squads – can’t be denied. After year one, PCMS went 13-1 and won the area title.
The second year, Ellison’s Lady Eagles finished 13-2 with another championship, and now this season, PCMS finished the regular season 14-0, hosted the semifinals and the championship game, wrapping up a third-straight title.
“Thus far, I can say that I’ve been blessed to have such great groups of girls who are talented and truly love the game of basketball,” Ellison said. “Every group has been different, but as a coach you’ve just got to know how to adjust with the talent that you’re given at that moment as well as the talent that you’ll face.
“I sub five in and out. It allows the younger girls to get the feeling and flow of the game. That way, if we’re ever placed in a crunch position and I have to turn to my younger girls, they’ll know what to do once they’re on the court.”
Continued success at any level is not easy, let alone winning three championships in as many years.
“Winning a third championship means a lot to me. Before I was hired, I remember commenting that I would’ve been just fine with being a part of the middle school’s coaching staff as just a community coach. I knew the talent that was there, and I wanted to just be able to lend a hand to help turn the program around,” Ellison said. “Well, I can say that God heard my cry and answered my prayers because I was called to become the head coach instead.”
She also pointed out that her rising group of eighth graders started with her and it’s special to know they’ve now earned three titles together.
Already, though, Ellison is looking forward to next year, when adjusting in the post area will be necessary after her eighth graders move on to high school. She acknowledged her team will be “a bit smaller down low, so the key is to have the girls get more physical and aggressive.”
With hard work and dedication, Ellison and her program can win a fourth straight title.