H.S. GIRLS BASKETBALL: Familiar faces set to lead new eras at Marian, Mahanoy Area

A pair of familiar faces will be leading the Marian Catholic and the Mahanoy Area girls basketball teams into new eras next season.

Marian Catholic tabs Onuschco to lead program after interim stint
Earlier this week, Marian Catholic named former interim coach Jeff Onushco as the new head coach of the Fillies.

Onuscho took over the program early last season after former head coach Jeanette Shafer Barron resigned just five games into the Fillies’ season.

After their 2-3 start under Shafer Barron, the Fillies went 13-9 under Onuscho, qualifying for the Schuylkill League playoffs, finishing runner-up in the District 11 Class AA playoffs, and qualifying for the PIAA State Playoffs.

“We are thrilled Coach Onushco will be returning to the Fililes bench and continue to build on the great progress they showed during the last basketball season, Marian Catholic athletic director Billy O’Gurek said in a press release.

“I would like to thank the Marian administration, especially Father Finlan and Athletic Director Billy O’Gurek, for having the confidence in me to lead this prestigious program,” Onushco remarked in the release.

“I am also happy that my assistants Nick Miskar and Cheryl Stanitis will also be returning.”
The Fillies are expected to return a majority of their roster from the 2025-26 season, including leading scorers Addy Marek and DeAnna Pugh.

Former Mahanoy Area star Abby McGee set to lead Golden Bears
Former Mahanoy Area star guard Abbey McGee will return to the Golden Bears program, taking over for Tom Scheeler.

Scheeler steps away from the program for the second time.

He coached the Golden Bears from 2014 through 2020 and later returned for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons.

This past season, the Golden Bears were 18-7 overall, including 12-2 in Schuylkill League Division II play, resulting in Schuylkill League and District 11 Playoff berths.

The Golden Bears this offseason will say goodbye to star senior point guard Felicia Bro, but are expected to return several key pieces, including Naomi Kowalick, Ella Connolly, and Lilly Carl.