Sarasota names Miller girls basketball coach, All-Star rosters named

SARASOTA − It was a memorable 46th birthday on Friday for Radhika Miller.

Miller informed Windermere Prep School of her intentions to leave as teacher and girls basketball coach, made the trek to Sarasota High to meet with her new players Friday afternoon and after battling through a traffic jam returned to Windermere for a nice piece of cake.

“It was one of the most exciting and memorable birthdays ever,” she said. “I definitely enjoyed that piece of cake.”

Miller is taking over the Sailors’ girls basketball program, Sarasota director of athletics Shane Ahles announced Friday. Miller replaces David Gaulman, who was relieved of his duties after his only season with Sarasota.

After winning 10 games the previous two seasons combined and playing one of the toughest schedules in the state this past season, the Sailors were 15-14. After defeating North Port High and Riverview High on the road, they reached the regional tournament as an at-large team. They lost to Venice High in the district final and the regional quarterfinals.

“I thought it was the right fit for my family in regards to how supportive the other coaches are and the culture there at Sarasota High School,” Miller said.

Miller coached at Cumberland County High School in Tennessee and most recently at Windermere Prep.Often Miller would bring her teams from Tennessee to Windermere for tournaments. Her Cumberland County teams won the tournament each time.

“The AD had reached out and asked me if I would be interested in relocating here,” Miller said of Windermere Prep. “We built the program and had more wins than they had in school history.”

Last year, the Lakers went 17-9 and lost in the regional quarterfinals after finishing second in their district.

“We had a great season and then got hit by injuries late,” Miller said.

Miller’s teams posted double-digit wins in all three seasons at Windermere Prep with an overall record of 37-27.

In nine seasons as Cumberland County coach, Miller led the Jets to six district championships, five sub-state sectional games and was named Coach of the Year four times.

Miller graduated from the University of North Alabama where she played basketball and earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and government. She also has a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction along with a master’s exercise science, physical education and wellness from Tennessee Tech.

“I knew the opportunity for me to go to Sarasota High School with its rich tradition and the talent level there was a grand opportunity,” Miller said.

Sarasota returns a couple of big building blocks in guard Paisley Binswanger and wing Kennedy McClain.

“I know some of the talent of the players who are returning,” Miller said.

Miller’s daughter, Sofiah, a junior 6-foot-2 post player, will be joining the mix. She led Windermere Prep, averaging 15.4 points and 11.6 rebounds as a sophomore last year.

Miller’s contract at Windermere Prep extends through May 31. She plans to apply for a teaching position at Sarasota High once they are posted during the summer.

In the meantime, Miller plans to meet with each Sailors player individually beginning Thursday via zoom for the next three weeks.

Sarasota/Manatee All-Star rosters set

The rosters for the 2nd Sarasota County vs. Manatee County All-Star Basketball games have been announced.

The girls game is 6 p.m. with the boys game scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Friday, April 7 at State College of Florida

Sarasota County Girls Roster 

Head Coach Ty Bryant, Booker

#11 Olivia Davis G (Cardinal Mooney), #2 Amiya Lloyd G (Riverview), #24 Krystal Montas F (Riverview), #5 Sami Slusarek F (Riverview), #4 Angelina Medina PG (North Port), #1 Gwen Tsoukalas G (North Port), #1 Kymani Freeman PG (Booker), #11 Sariah Bradley G (Booker), #4 Leah Dubose F (Booker), #5 Zakiera Williams F (Booker), Substitutes, #25 Jaida Cunningham C (Riverview), #45 Jordyn Byrd C (Cardinal Mooney)

Manatee County Girls Roster

Head Coach Jerry Aquino, Bradenton Christian School

#2 Azareeyah Heaven (Palmetto), #14 Tamaya Gibson (Lakewood Ranch), #13 Sara Leonardis (Lakewood Ranch), #4 Monique Schwalbach (Braden River), #20 Jamie Hernandez (Braden River), #1 Amariah Everett (Bayshore), #12 McKinley Williams (Bradenton Christian), #10 Julia Vorbeck (Manatee), #11 Megan Wolfe (St. Stephens), #14 Taylor Vogt (St. Stephens)

Sarasota County Boys Roster

Head Coach BJ Ivey, Sarasota High School

#24 Brad Miller C (North Port), #20 Jose Santiago F (North Port), #4 Kade Slaton G (Venice), #20 Jason Jackson G (Riverview), #1 Nate Johnson G (Sarasota), #1 Jayven Szewczyk G (Sarasota Christian), #14 Nic Rafaniello F (Sarasota), #13 Eliseo Dawkins F (Booker), #0 Diego Eslava G (212 Academy)

Manatee County Boys Roster

Head Coach Matt Fletcher, St. Stephens Episcopal

#32 Marcus Saunders G (Manatee), #1 Josh Rutledge G (Manatee), #2 Yahshiyan "Biscuit" Jones G (Palmetto), #11 Amos Gass G (Palmetto), #2 Aaron Barton G (Southeast), #5 CJ Kerr (Parrish Community), #2 Ian Rodriguez G (Parrish Community), #22 Braden Mohr F (St. Stephens), #12 Jamal Coleman F (Palmetto), #0 Joey Winter G (Southeast); Substitute, Dialo Townsend G (Parrish Community)

3-point Shooting Contest

Girls

Gwen Tsoukalas (North Port), Olivia Davis (Cardinal Mooney), Monique Schwalbach (Braden River), Amiya Lloyd G (Riverview)

Boys

Kade Slaton (Venice), Eliseo Dawkins (Booker), Diego Eslava (212 Academy), Joey Winter (Southeast), Ian Rodriguez (Parrish Community), CJ Kerr (Parrish Community), Marcus Saunders (Manatee)

Dunk Contest

Jason Jackson (Riverview), Jamal Coleman (Palmetto), CJ Kerr (Parrish Community)

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota names Miller girls basketball coach, All-Star rosters named