When Ushearnda Stroud arrived at Austin Prep to steward the girls basketball team's NEPSAC transition, she was starting from scratch with a program that hadn't had much MIAA success.
Entering Year 3 of the transition, Austin Prep is slowly but surely building. The Cougars moved up to Class AA following this year's realignment. They've added a more robust strength and conditioning program. Stroud, who helped Brooks win two NEPSAC Class B titles in 2019-20 and 2021-22, has a star duo leading the way and a young supporting cast to develop.
"I feel great about it. I wouldn't have made the transition from Brooks to here if I didn't have the support from the school, the community, and if I didn't believe that I could build this into a legitimate program," she said. "... As I was telling coaches, it's piece by piece, it's family by family, it's kid by kid, just recruiting and building."
Here's what to expect from Austin Prep in 2024-25.
