Pelham names Randall girls basketball head coach

PELHAM — Pelham High School went with a familiar name to lead the girls basketball program after Antonia Tookes accepted the position at Lowndes.

Jeray Randall was named the new head coach and said Tuesday he will try to build upon the success the team has seen in the last few years. Randall was the assistant boys basketball coach for 13 years, and he is the father of reigning Albany Herald Player of the Year Mahogany Randall.

Under Tookes, the Pelham program won five region titles and a state championship, and Randall said it’s all about maintaining that level of performance.

“It was already going in the right direction, it’s just about continuing pushing to get to that next level,” he said. “The program was already set, it’s just about managing it well and keeping the girls rolling.”

Randall said he expects the group to continue playing its signature brand of hard-nosed defense as the team develops offensively. The new coach said he believes the Lady Hornets have enough talent returning next year to remain competitive.

“We have a good group coming back as far as talent goes,” he said. “It’s just getting used to them and the girls getting used to me.”

Pelham Athletics Director Dondrial Pinkins said he believes Randall will keep the team in the hunt for a region title and continue to give fans something to cheer about.

“I think he’s going to bring some excitement. He’s been affiliated with Pelham for several years, and he’s also worked with the boys program,” Pinkins said. “I think he’s going to bring some excitement and some more intensity to the table as well. I think he’s going to continue building on what Coach Tookes left behind and keep that program on the right track.”

Randall said he understands how high the bar has been set and what it will take to replicate recent results. He said being able to witness the success first-hand as a coach and a father was a special experience.

“It was a joy to see them get to that level and, prayerfully, we’ll keep them moving in that direction,” he said.