The Penquis girls basketball team has a new coach to replace longtime skipper Wally Russell.

Brent Bailey, a boys varsity assistant coach and a former player for the Patriots of Milo, was recently approved by SAD 41 school board, Penquis athletic director Tony Hamlin said.

Bailey coached the girls in summer league play after taking over for Russell, who resigned after he coached the Patriots to a 19-3 record and Eastern Maine Class C runner-up honors. It was his eighth season with the Penquis girls.

Bailey has been the coach of the middle school boys team and served as an assistant to Hamlin, who is also the boys varsity coach.

“He’s real energetic and he has strong communication skills,” Hamlin said. “He will relate well with the girls.”

Bailey works at Ox-Yoke Originals, Inc. in Milo and is a registered Maine guide, Hamlin added.

After spending 40 of his 47 years around basketball, Russell decided to hang up his whistle and to focus on family. He compiled a 126-34 record and a .788 winning percentage. The Patriots were also EM runners-up in 1997.