Head Coach Tracey Stellato
Phone: (903)693-2041
e-mail: tstellato@panola.edu

Tracey Stellato enters her sixth year at the helm of the Panola Fillies basketball program.  In five seasons, the Fillies have posted 98 wins after winning only 1 during the 2001-02 campaign prior to Stellato's arrival in Carthage.  The Fillies have sent 20 players on to 4-year universities on basketball scholarships, with 15 of those competing at the NCAA Division I level.  In addition to their regional semi-final tournament appearance last year finishing the season 21-11, the 2006-07 Fillies posted an overall team GPA of 3.1  "Developing a championship-caliber program takes a tremendous amount of work, not only by the coaching staff, but by the team itself.  We must do things better than everyone else.  We must work harder than everyone else because we are attempting to set a precedent in every area of our program - academics, athletics and community involvement." We hold to a similar philosophy as legendary coach Bob Knight of Texas Tech, "the will to succeed is important, but what's even more important is the will to prepare."  It is our goal here at Panola to prepare our athletes for competition, as well as life.

Stellato joined the Panola College family after four seasons at East Texas Baptist University.  Stellato started her coaching career as an assistant for the Lady Tiger basketball program in 1997.  During her three seasons as an assistant, Stellato helped lead the program to an impressive 75-16 record, including a school record 29 wins during the 1998-99 season.  After three seasons as an assistant, Stellato was given an opportunity to direct the action as the head coach.  She led the Lady Tigers to a 20-9 mark, with their third appearance in the NCCAA national championship game.  

Prior to her coaching career, Stellato garnered several national accolades while competing for LeTourneau University, under Panola and NJCAA Hall of Fame coach Mary Ann Otwell.  The LadyJackets captured the NCCAA National Championship, qualified for the NAIA national tournament in Jackson, TN for the second straight season, and took the conference championship and tournament championship of the Big State Conference.  Stellato was named NCCAA Player of the Year, NCCAA Tournament MVP, NAIA All-American, as well as Big State Conference MVP.  Prior to her stop at LeTourneau, Stellato played her first two seasons at the University of Texas-San Antonio.  

Associate Head Coach Jimmy Stellato
Phone: (903)693-2041
e-mail: jstellato@panola.edu

 

Jimmy Stellato joins the Panola Filly Basketball program after playing overseas as a professional basketball player and three seasons as an assistant in the men's basketball program at East Texas Baptist University.  Stellato, too, enjoyed a stellar collegiate career where he was named an All-American and All-Conference performer after his senior campaign.  Stellato earned his undergraduate degree in Physical Education from LeTourneau University and completed his Masters of Education degree at Stephen F. Austin State University.