The Cumberland County Lady Jets are turning to a familiar face to guide them into the basketball season.
Radhika Miller returns for her second stint as Lady Jets head coach. Miller, who remains rooted in the Cumberland County area, said she is eager to get back to work.
“[I’m] excited to go to work for everyone there,” Miller said. “Just hoping to continue with the traditions of hard work, grit, and the realest work ethic that Lady Jets basketball is known for.”
Cumberland County comes off a 17-14 season, one which ended in the regional quarterfinals. The Lady Jets return most of their team, including their lone senior in Daminica Beal, alongside six juniors. Miller said for her, this stint gives her a second chance to do what she loves.
“It’s always been a special place to me and it’s rare,” Miller said. “You don’t just find that anywhere.”
Miller said coming back to a program steeped in tradition is both an honor and a challenge she embraces.
“[Cumberland County High School] has been built on tradition, hard work, grit, and a relentless work ethic and that’s what it means to be a Lady Jet.” Miller said. “So for me as a coach, that’s a coaching dream, you know, to be a part of a program where tradition already stands, so to come back and have that opportunity to lead that program again, it’s a blessing.”
Miller’s basketball roots run deep within the Upper Cumberland. Her daughter, Sofi Miller, has signed to play basketball at Tennessee Tech this season. Miller’s first stint at Cumberland County reasulted in six distriuct championships, five sub-state sectional games, and four years being named coach of the year. Miller will make her season debut November 18 as the Jets host Wartburg Central.
