Angela Fulton looking to continue Jackson’s success

The Jackson girls basketball program looks very different heading into the 2023-24 campaign.

With Adam Stoneking stepping down to pursue an administration role within the school district and the graduation of Katie Waller, new head coach Angela Fulton is looking to keep the program at the level it has been.

Fulton served as the assistant coach for the Indians and before that, she served as head coach of the Perryville Pirates.

As head coach of the Perryville Pirates, Fulton put together a 66-58 record over five years including three JCAA conference championships and three selections as the JCAA Coach of the Year.

Now in the head coaching role with the Indians, Fulton hopes to keep the culture the same.

“(The culture is) just working hard,” Fulton said. “Ever since I was with them last year they’ve had the mindset of working hard, they’re dedicated and they’re in the gym. The dedication and the hard work are something that is very rare to find. The buy-in and the commitment is unbelievable.”

The Indians fell in the Class 6 State Quarterfinals to Eureka a season ago, something that has stuck with the group ever since.

“They were ready to go (back to work) when the season ended last year,” Fulton said. “This group of girls is one that you almost have to take the basketball away so they get a break.”

Perhaps the biggest question mark for Jackson will be the loss of Katie Waller to graduation.

“Katie was a phenomenal player,” Fulton said. “When you lose a player like that you always have questions but watching the girls over the summer they understand that roles have changed. Katie took a lot of the shots last year and they understand now that she’s not here to take the shots so they have to take them.”

The Indians return just two starters from last season’s team in Holland Guilliams and Camryn Alsdorf.

“We lost a majority of our starters,” Fulton said. “Realistically the majority of our starters this year will have a different role than they had last year.”

In terms of coaching philosophies, Fulton said they are what has already been instilled in the program.

“I’m big on hard work and dedication and honestly they’ve had that even before I got here,” Fulton said. “It’s not really instilling anything that they’re not used to so that’s the best part about it. They already understand it and that’s what they’ve been coached to do.”

Fulton just hopes to see her team continue to grow throughout the year.

“I like to take everything one day at a time,” Fulton said. “Each day we go to practice and focus on getting better that day. I try to not get too far ahead of myself because I feel like that puts a lot of pressure on the team as well as myself.”

Jackson opens the season on Saturday, Nov. 18, when the Indians host Fredericktown.