Cottrell to lead Prospect girls basketball program

Prospect High School associate principal Greg Minter has announced that Gabrielle Cottrell will become the fifth girls basketball coach in Knights history.

A former basketball and volleyball and soccer standout at Prospect, Cottrell served as a first-year head coach for the Knights' volleyball team last fall.

"I cannot tell you how excited we are to have her heading the basketball program," Minter said of the former Manhattan College star. "She is one of Prospect's most highly decorated female athletes and will serve as an excellent role model and mentor to the young women at Prospect."

Cottrell, who was a three-year starter for former Knights girls basketball coach Mike Nocella, is Prospect's third all-time leading scorer with 1,304 points behind Taylor Will and Colleen Grant.

Cottrell served as an assistant for Nocella when he was the head coach at Hoffman Estates. She replaces Ashley Sandstead Graham, who left the Prospect post to become Stevenson's head coach a month ago.

Cottrell and Graham were part of tri-captains for the Daily Herald's Northwest all-area girls basketball team in 2004,

Cottrell also played softball and soccer at Prospect, earning varsity letter in four sports and being named the school's Female Athlete of the Year.

"She is ideally suited for this position due to her familiarity with the Prospect community, our coaching staff, and our feeder programs," Minter added. "Gab will remain as assistant coach with the volleyball program and we will be seeking an interim head volleyball coach."