Changes to the girls basketball program at West Hartford’s Northwest Catholic High School have been made for the upcoming season, and soon-to-be-freshman parent and Hall of Famer Rebecca Lobo Rushin plans to lend her expertise as well.

Submitted by Maureen Scudder, Northwest Catholic High School

Northwest Catholic High School in West Hartford is pleased to announce its new girls’ basketball coaching staff. The school welcomes Coaches Al Phillips, Jenniqua Bailey, and Jeff Cahill, along with program supporter and volunteer Rebecca Lobo Rushin.

When Northwest Catholic returns to school this fall, it will have a new girls basketball program in motion. Under the leadership of Head Coach Al Phillips, the NWC Lions will roar into 2018-2019. 

Athletic Director Matthew Martorelli remarked, “What an exciting opportunity we have in front of us. Bringing veteran coach Al Phillips to NWC and surrounding him with the talent and experience of Jenniqua Bailey and Jeff Cahill will create what we know will be a perfect collaboration.”

Phillips, a 37-year veteran biology teacher and girls’ basketball coach, will spearhead the new program at Northwest Catholic. Phillips coached girls basketball at Buckley High School from 1978-2011, winning a State Championship in 2006. He also coached the CT Starters AAU Girls’ Team from 1974-2013. Phillips’ career in the classroom, in addition to his experience, leadership, and success on the court, will prove invaluable to the school’s basketball program.

Jenniqua Bailey, a 2010 NWC alumnae and Division I basketball player, will return to Northwest Catholic as the Junior Varsity Coach. Bailey scored over 1,000 points during her career at NWC. She went on to play DI basketball at Bryant University and was captain her senior year. Bailey was the assistant varsity basketball coach at Capitol Prep from 2016-2017 and currently coaches the CT Heat AAU Girls’ Team.

Leading the girls freshman team at NWC will be math/social studies teacher and coach Jeff Cahill. Cahill was the NWC varsity girls basketball assistant this past year. He is also the NWC head field hockey coach and NWC JV girls lacrosse coach.

Behind this powerhouse trio will be a powerhouse all her own, WNBA and ESPN Women’s College Basketball Analyst Rebecca Lobo Rushin. A soon-to-be freshman parent, Lobo Rushin has committed to lending her services and sharing her expertise, especially during the off-season. She will help with training, skill development, and the NWC summer girls’ basketball camp.

Regarding the new girls basketball coaching trio and Rebecca Lobo Rushin’s commitment to the NWC girls basketball program, NWC President and Head of School Christian Cashman had this to say: “I couldn’t be more pleased with the way the Holy Spirit has cooperated in bringing this wonderful group of athletic gifts together. We have a dedicated and seasoned veteran, an incredible young talent and commitment from NWC and college play, and a beloved mentor to NWC girls during three seasons. Al Phillips, Jenniqua Bailey, and Jeff Cahill are a phenomenal team. And Rebecca Rushin is a gifted professional and friend of Catholic school basketball from elementary to high school. All of them completely embrace the ‘Northwest Catholic Way.’ This is a great moment in our athletic history.” 

Northwest Catholic welcomes the new girls’ basketball coaching staff and looks forward to years of tremendous growth in the program.

To learn more about Northwest Catholic’s stellar athletics programs, please visit northwestcatholic.org.

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