Metro East Sun

Clint Hamilton has been named the new girls' basketball coach at Highland High.

Hamilton, 27, takes over after three seasons with the program and plans to continue building on the school’s rising tradition.

"The girls play hard every day and they know what it takes to have a successful program,” Hamilton told the Belleville News-Democrat. “Because of those things, they have established a heck of a tradition here at Highland. I like the challenge of upholding that tradition and hopefully making it better.”

The goals are more achievable when everyone is on the same page, he said.

"I think the girls understand that,” Hamilton said. “They know that because of the success teams of the past have had, that they have a target on their backs and that they have to play hard every night.''

The Bulldogs finished 19-11 last season under Mike Arbuthnot, who abruptly resigned in March after five seasons.

Hamilton, who describes himself as very “defensive-minded,” insists he likes what he’s seen from his team in summer workouts.   

Thus far, Highland has competed in the Southwestern Illinois College High School Summer League, and still have shootouts at Edwardsville and Breese Central on tap.

"We've had a good summer,” Hamilton said. “I think we're like 16-4 and we've played a good schedule against teams like Belleville East and Incarnate Word and St. Joseph's Academy in St. Louis.''

Highland returns one of the area’s top backcourts in the one-two punch of junior Ellie Brown and senior guard Emmy Nyquist. Bella LaPorta, Madison Clarke, Taylor Kesner and Lexi Taylor are back to add muscle and anchor the frontcourt.

"We have a lot of options up front and we'll be able to run them in and out,” he said. “They're all good athletes. (Having) Brown back is a big plus. She's kind of the pulse of the team because she's been here for two years and she kind of knows what she needs to do and how she still needs to grow and make this team better.”

Hamilton said the goal for this season will be the same as it’s been for the last several seasons.

"The goal this year and every year is to win a regional and hopefully be a team that can get to the sectional and super-sectional,” Hamilton said. “I see no reason why that can't happen. These girls are working hard every day. That's one thing I really enjoy about coaching the girls. They are very receptive of what you are telling them to do. I'm really enjoying coaching this basketball team.''