(From 1954 to the Present)
If our female basketball players of today were to take a step back in time and play in, perhaps, the late 1950's, they would be in for a stunning surprise. Not only would they be wearing very different uniforms, but they would be playing on only half of the court and doing half as much work. In addition, they wouldn't be playing in our beloved Colonial League, they would be up against much tougher competition. Nor would they be playing in our good ol' senior high gym where we cheer on our teams today, but in the old, senior high annex gym.
Girls' basketball at Pen Argyl High School has an eventful history full of rule changes, new leagues, great teams and not so great teams. Over it's 48 year history, the program has gone through dramatic changes, troubles, and triumphs. However, they all have their part in this story of one of the most successful girls' basketball teams in the area.
1953-54 brought the introduction of basketball to the girls' physical education program at the high school. Under coach, Vivian Turner, the girls participated in afternoon scrimmages and practice sessions with hopes that a league would be formed in the near future. Pictured here is the first girls' basketball team at Pen Argyl High School:
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With the formation of the East Penn Basketball League in 1954-55, so marked the first regular girls' basketball season at PAHS. This history-making team is pictured below:
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When high school girls' basketball started, each team was allowed 3 defensive and 3 offensive players who had to remain on their halves of the court. The ball was passed from one side to another, and play on one side, while the players on the other side waited for the ball to make it to their side.
Practices were certainly a bit different in the 1950's as well, and the drills were definitely nothing like some of the more grueling drills the girls do in the present day.
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The seasons of '55-'56 and '56-'57 were seasons of disappointment for Pen Argyl, who went winless in both seasons. Although they piled up 53 points against Bethlehem Catholic in a game in 1957, they still went home with a loss.
Still under the same coach, whose name changed to Vivian Wagner,1958 proved to be a successful year for the ladies of Pen Argyl. They decided this year to no longer be affiliated with the East Penn Basketball League, due to the overwhelmingly tough competition. Finishing with a record of 5-5, this year was Pen Argyl's best in it's 3 year history.
The girls completed another .500 season in '58-'59 with a record of 4-4. Not only did they practice after school, but in the morning as well. Their hard work paid off as they defeated arch rival Bangor for the first time.
The Pen Argyl girls got the new decade off to a bad start by losing 6 in a row, but came back strong to beat league-leading Wilson in 1960.
1960-61 was a historical season in Pen Argyl girls' basketball. It was the first time in history that the team won a league championship. It would be the first of many championship teams for Pen Argyl. The Lehigh-Northampton League champions beat Wilson 28-22 in a playoff game and lost only to Bangor and Wilson in regular season play to end with a record of 7-2.
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The champions repeated in 1962, finishing with a record of 10-1. Their only defeat came in a non-league game with Stroudsburg. The team was led by Lorna Dentith and Gretchen Gum who scored 125 and 107 points, respectively.
1962-63 was a season of change for Pen Argyl girls' basketball. Not only was this Vivian Wagner's last year as head coach, (for the time being), but a major change in the rules was put into effect. Now, 2 of the 6 players were permitted to go from one end of the court to another. These players were known as the "rovers".
For almost the next 15 years, the Pen Argyl girls just couldn't get any consistency with their coaches. From 1963 to 1977 the girls had 9 different coaches and only 2 winning seasons. Miss Sandra Nash coached the girls in 1963-64, and Miss Haftl led the girls in '64-'65. Mrs. Judith Noyalas did the coaching for the '65-'66 season, Miss Janice Summy took over the job in 1966-67, and Mrs. Vivian Wagner returned for a one-year stand as coach in 1967-'68.
The following season was full of more difficult transitions for the girls as they were coached by Mrs. Nancy Curcio the first half of the season, and Miss Jennifer Shantz the second. Miss Shantz was the first coach in 5 years to stay with the team for more than one season. Despite this, the girls went 4-6, led by senior Jan Amy, who scored 143 points.
The 1969-'70 season was another historical year in girls basketball. The new decade brought with it a new rule. Finally, all players were permitted to play on the entire court, and the sport was played as we now know it today. However, this rule change took some getting accustomed to for Pen Argyl. The team went winless, averaging only 16 points a game under the change.
1971 was another disappointing year for Miss Schantz in her 4th season of coaching. Although a JV team was started for the Pen Argyl girls this season, the varsity finished with a record of only 2-8.
The '71-'72 season was the start of a turnaround for Pen Argyl. Still under the same coach, Miss Schantz, and led by sophomore, Diane "Wilt the Stilt" Murphy, the team went 4-8. Murphy led the team to an 8-4 record the following season. An 8-5 record the year after that can also be credited to the playing of Diane Murphy. These were the team's first winning seasons since the championship teams of '61 and '62 over 10 years before.
Senior Laurie Harris led the Lady Knights in '74-'75 with 179 points. Coached by Ms. Mary Lou Cole, the team went 4-8.
Finally, in '75-'76, our Colonial League, as we know it today, was formed. Also, this season, Pen Argyl was the only team to play strictly "girl-to-girl" defense in the new league. The team finished with a 5-13 record.
Following the inaugural season of the new league was a turning point in Pen Argyl girls' basketball history. Under the direction of new coach, Mr. Tom Schoeninger, the 1976-'77 season was one full of many accomplishments for the ladies of Pen Argyl. They ended a 15 year losing streak to Bangor, finished with the most victories of any team to play for PAHS with a record of 17-6, and became the first team to win a District XI playoff game for Pen Argyl. They were called "the most turned around team in the Colonial League." This legendary team is pictured below:
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The following season, though not as great as the last, was a successful one for the Lady Knights. Their record of 18-10 was enough for a bid to the District XI playoffs. Vivian Wagner returned once again this year to coach the JV team.
Roni Grube led the Knights to a 7-17 record in '78-'79 with 231 points. The following year, the Lady Knights won the Christmas Tournament at Pocono Central Catholic.
1981 marked the first time in 19 years that the girls of Pen Argyl brought home a league championship by defeating first half title holder, Palisades, 53-42 for the Colonial League title. Laurie Frutchey, who scored 367 points that season, was named a Colonial League All-Star, and named Honorable Mentions were teammates Jodi Vargo (248 points) and Michelle Thompson (207 points).
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The team finished the following season in 1982 with another outstanding record of 17-6. Richard Bowman took over the role as head coach for the '82-'83 season, and the team ended with a 3-20 record.
The mid 1980's was a time for rebuilding for the Pen Argyl Girls' Basketball program. From 1983 until 1989, the girls just couldn't finish over .500. Mary Decker (346 points) and Robin Vargo (190 points) led the '83-'84 team, and freshman Heather Folk and Vicky Vargo, sister of Robin Vargo, led the team in '84-'85.
In 1986 the team finished at 2-18, a disappointing season caused by a lack of confidence and teamwork. However, when Bill Ruggiero took over as head coach in '86-'87, things slowly started to turn around for the Lady Knights. Junior, Heather Folk and sophomore, Pam Howerter were named All-League Honorable Mentions that year, but overall, the season was nothing to brag about.
Next year's 5-19 season was highlighted by the playing of Heather Folk and Pam Howerter, who would both return to coach in the girls' basketball program at Pen Argyl. Among the team's 5 wins were 2 victories over arch rival, Bangor. Howerter and Folk were selected to the All-Tournament Team at Tamaqua, and Donna Decker played on the LARC All-Star Team with Folk as well.
Pam Howerter coached the Pen Argyl Freshmen Girl's team in '93-'94, the Wind Gap Middle School Girls from '94 - '97, and the JV Girls for the '97-'98 season. Heather Folk coached the Wind Gap Middle School girls during the '97 - '98 season. Pictured here is the team that Folk and Howerter played on together in '87-'88:
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The next season was a winning one for the Pen Argyl girls, who finished at 13-12. Although losing to Wilson in a district playoff match, the team did defeat an unbeaten East Stroudsburg team in the regular season. Mari Mulitsch played on both the LARC and All-Tournament Teams, and senior, Pam Howerter and sophomore, Theresa Squarcia were named honorable mentions.
The 1989-'90 team was led by Michelle Williams, who played in the LARC game, and Theresa Squarcia, who was voted to the second team All-Colonial. The team produced a record of 9-15.
In the '90-'91 season, Pen Argyl's girls had a District XI playoff victory over Salisbury, that season's Colonial League champions. They finished the season with a 15-10 record.
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The team from 1991-'92 was led by seniors, Tanya Williams, Summer Finken, Michele Futchko, Ann Sutter, and Sherry Petrilak. The team lost to Southern Lehigh in the Colonial League title game and finished the season at 17-8.
The best JV season in history was posted in 1993. Coached by Denice Anderson, the team went 20-1. This team included Jessee Boyce, Jen Carroll, Diane Hall, Stephanie Hontz, Michele Lambert, Colleen O'Donnell, Marci Pezzutto, Sara Reid, Christine Renkert, Rachel Zavacky, and Ryanne Zavacky, most of whom would become members of an awesome '93-'94 varsity team. The varsity also played well. Led by junior, Tina Chuss, the team went 18-5. Fellow starters were senior, Fran Hall, juniors, Alyson Lane and Merideth DePaolo, and freshman, Collette Singer.
Of all the great teams of the past, none may have been quite as great as the team of 1993-'94. Although the team lost to Salisbury in the Colonial League championship game, they placed third in District playoffs and advanced to the second round in state playoffs. The starting 5 for this awesome 21-9 team were seniors Tina Chuss, Meridith DePaolo, and Alyson Lane, and sophomores Collette Singer and Jessee Boyce. Although DePaolo was brought down by a knee injury, Amber Finken and Sara Reid helped fill the void and keep Pen Argyl alive. This team still stands as the best Pen Argyl Girls' team to date.
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Under new coach Joe Mladosich, the Lady Knights propelled to another outstanding season in '95-'96. Not only did the 21-6 team qualify for District playoffs, but another 1,000 point scorer made her mark in Pen Argyl basketball history.
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The 1996-'97 team was led by seniors Heather Morgan and Alison DePaolo. In his second year as head coach, Mladosich guided the girls to another appearance in district playoffs. After a solid win over Jim Thorpe in the first round, the girls fell to Colonial League division rival, Notre Dame, in the second round. They finished the season at 11-7.
Under new coach, John Brittain, the Lady Knights had a poor showing in the league. Juniors Megan Duncan (269 points) and Nicole Borger (176 points) and seniors Stenzee Woepple and Katie Sapone carried the team to a 11-13 record. Though they did not qualify for districts, Woepple and Borger were named to Colonial League Honorable Mentions and Duncan was named to the 2nd team All-Colonial.
Under new coach, Tonya Brugler, the girls' finished 16-8 in regular season play in the '98-'99 season, and senior Megan Duncan made her mark in Pen Argyl girls basketball history. The team's 5 seniors, Duncan, Nicole Borger, Kim Racciato, Jonelle Graziani, and Sara Gross, made up the starting lineup for this season.
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The following season, the '99-'00 varsity team struggled to survive with a 0-24 record. Head coach Tonya Brugler and assistant coach Pat Pezzuto continued their coaching with the Lady Knights for their 2nd year. The team consisted of seniors Sarah Mushock and Nicole Weber, juniors Jamie DePue, Tara Fiorot, and Meghan Lane, sophomore Tara Brinker, and freshman Erin Due. Although they went defeated the whole season, the girls' got much needed experience against tough competition to carry on through the following years.
The next year was looking up for the girls' team as they went 16-10, 10-8 in colonial league play. They made it to districts and beat Salisbury in the first round but then lost to Catasauqua in the 2nd game. They were definitely known as a turn around team with the same players as the year before besides two seniors that graduated and one junior that couldn't play her senior year due to an injury. Also they gained two players. This year's '00-'01 varsity team was seniors Jamie DePue and Meghan Lane, junior Tara Brinker, sophomores Erin Due and Kirby Lutz, and freshman Lindsey Greenleaf. Coach Brugler received The Morning Call's Coach of the Year due to the success this team achieved despite the tough recovery from the previous year.
Today, the '01-'02 varsity team consists of seniors Tara Brinker and Brandy Hahn, juniors Erin Due, Kirby Lutz, and Brittany Counterman, sophomores Caitlin Flynn, Lindsey Greenleaf, and Shannon Mushock, and freshman Stephanie Smith. They hope to continue this season with thrilling wins and many achievements that came from last year.
As for the future, a group of very talented underclassmen and junior high girls will try to carry on the success that has been a trademark of girls' basketball at Pen Argyl High School for generations.
In 2002 the varsity girls' basketball team brings the season to a close with a respectable record of 10 -14 overall, and 6 -12 in the league. With senior Kirby Lutz as the team's high scorer with a total of 356 points and senior Tara Brinker close behind with 320 points, the team was fairly successful. Kirby also led the team in rebounds with close to 250 rebounds, averaging about 8 to 9 per game. The team is considerably young and will only be losing two seniors. Tara Brinker and Brandy Hahn will be leaving the team as of this year.
The 2003 Season of Girls Varsity Basketball was highly successful. They closed the season with a record of 14-10 overall, and 7-12 in the league. The senior team players were very instrumental in acomplishing this great feat.
2006 - Girls Varsity 18w/9l
2006 - Girls JV 14w/9l
2006 - Girls Junior High 10w/8l
2007 - Varsity 12w/13l Junior Varsity 14w/9l
2008- Varsity 11 wins 9 losses and a win and a loss in the playoffs
2008- Junior Varsity 16 wins 4 losses