Jefferson hires one of its own to lead girls basketball program

When Austin Thompson was hired Thursday to take over head coaching duties for the Lady Dragons, it marked a homecoming of sorts.

Thompson played basketball at Jefferson and graduated in 2012, before several years of playing college basketball. During his playing time at Jefferson, the Dragons advanced to the semifinals in 2010 and the quarterfinals in 2012.

Jeffersons girls have one state championship, the Class A title in 2001, but has not been deeper than the quarterfinals since 2007. Last season, the Lady Dragons finished with a 22-6 record before losing to Jenkins in the second round of the 3A playoffs, 47-38.

In the last reclassification cycle, Jefferson dropped from Class 5A to Class 3A and will graduate six seniors, but the experience from the playoff run will provide Thompson with a fantastic slate to work with.