After four years of coaching the girls’ varsity basketball team and having only one win last season, head coach Reshea Bristol resigned. Taking over as head coach this year is Nicole Mitchell.

Mitchell is a class of 2000 alumna who not only played for the school when she was a high school student, but has since gained experience by coaching several teams.

“It’s a blessing to be able to be a student and athlete at Bryan and be able to come back,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell has assistant coached for the girls’ basketball team at King Science and Technology Magnet Middle School, Omaha Northwest and Team Nebraska. Mitchell also created the Lady Jaguars program for Boys and Girls Club, who went on to have an undefeated season shortly after.

“It gave me the foundation to be able to coach at middle school as well as high school so I can make a impact,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell plans to develop the Lady Bears to be know they are students before athletes and build strength.

“My mission is to build strong girls who can compete not only on the court but also in life” Mitchell said.

Mitchell forces the girls to work hard in practices by pushing them past their boundaries, and teaching them not to give up.

“It’s more intense and [we’re] constantly working,” sophomore Brooke Powers said.

The girls are now 0-5 with losses to Omaha Central, Omaha Burke, Bellevue East, Papillion LaVista South and Gretna. They play again tonight at home versus Bellevue West at 5:30 p.m.