Broderick Hall named as new Laurel Lady Tornadoes head basketball coach

LAUREL, Miss. (WDAM) - The Laurel School District made an announcement Tuesday morning about its athletic program.

The district welcomed its new Lady Tornadoes head basketball coach.

After the announcement of coach Sherri Cooley’s retirement following a championship win, Laurel High School is welcoming a new era of leadership to the girls’ basketball program.

Broderick Hall will now take the position.

“I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to lead the Lady Tornadoes,” Hall said. “I’m ready to get to work and proud to be coming home.”

School administrators and Hall’s family gathered in the field house for the announcement on Tuesday.

“I have known Coach Hall for a very long time,” Ryan Earnest, athletic director, said. “He’s always been a man of the highest character, and I know that he’s going to instill that into our young women and not just our young women, but all the young kids in our community.”

Hall is a proud graduate of R.H. Watkins High School.

Hall started his head coaching career at Laurel Christian School, then transitioned to Southeastern Baptist College.

He’s served as the head coach of the Heidelberg High School Lady Oilers since then, helping capture district championships for the program.

“It means everything. It’s a dream come true. Like I said, it’s now a reality,” Hall said. “I’m looking forward to getting out into the community, help build the pipeline that’s going to transition from the youth program to high school.”

Coming off a championship season, Hall plans to build on Coach Cooley’s foundation, as well as focus on discipline and development for the girls on the team.

Hall said he will also lean on Cooley’s wisdom.

“We want to maintain the success that Coach Cooley has brought to us in her experience, and we’re just going to dedicate ourselves to the craft, keep working hard and try to maintain the success.”

Earnest believes Hall will be able to carry on the legacy of the Lady Tornadoes.

“I think his approach will be a little bit different because they’re two different people, but I’m just excited about the professionalism, hard work and discipline he’ll bring to our program,” Earnest said.

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