Washington-Marion championship coach Albert Hartwell dies at 72

KPLC 7News Nightcast - Jan 8 - Sports - COACH HARTWELL
By Brady Renard | January 7, 2021 at 7:23 PM CST - Updated January 8 at 10:52 PM

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - Former Washington-Marion basketball coach Albert Hartwell has died at the age of 72.

Hartwell passed away Wednesday Night from natural causes and will be remembered for his championship legacy at the high school level and the colorful suits he always wore.

Hartwell retired this summer with over 750 career wins— none bigger than the 2017 Class 4A State Championship. The Charging Indians won their first state title in thirty years with the 66-58 win over Ellender.

On behalf of the Washington-Marion Magnet High School administration, faculty and staff. We would like to send our sincere sympathy and condolences to the family, loved ones, and acquaintances of Coach Albert Hartwell. Coach Hartwell was a great ambassador for the brand of Washington-Marion and had a heart for everyone who wore the green and gold. Coach Hartwell will always be remembered for not only bringing a state championship to our athletic department but also for positively impacting the hundreds of lives of those who he taught and coached! I will always treasure our friendship as we had the opportunity to work together as coaches, but also together when I became an administrator.
Ronnie Harvey, Washington-Marion Principal

Hartwell was also a successful girls coach, winning the 1993 LHSAA Class 4A State Title with Carroll High School in Monroe. He coached Elaine Powell, who would play for LSU and then the Detroit Shock of the WNBA.

The Charging Indians and Carroll are set to play tomorrow in Lake Charles. The schools plane to honor Hartwell at the game.

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