Experience counts for a lot in the always-challenging Schuylkill League girls basketball ranks.

Fortunately for the Lehighton girls basketball program, it will have one of the most experienced and successful coaches in recent memory in the league patrolling the sidelines.The coach tasked with the job of getting the Tribe on track is none other than former Tamaqua girls basketball mentor Joe Berezwick, who was approved unanimously at the Lehighton School Board meeting last night.The veteran coach last held a whistle during the 2014-15 season and is most certainly chomping at the bit to get back in the gym."I'm very excited for the opportunity to be hired as the head girls basketball coach at Lehighton," said Berezwick. "When I saw the position was open, something just clicked, being neighbors and rivals for years when I was at Tamaqua, and now with them being a member of the Schuylkill League, it just felt like the right fit."I want to thank the Lehighton School District in believing in me, and I'm looking forward to meeting the team and getting to work."Berezwick is stepping in at what seems like a good time for Lehighton girls basketball. The Indians were 9-13 a season ago, just missing the postseason. They return a strong nucleus of scoring from last year's team and if it's postseason success the Tribe are looking for, than there is possibly nobody better than Berezwick to get them there.In his 18-year run at Tamaqua, Berezwick claimed two Schuylkill League championships, three District 11 titles, and led the Raiders to five state playoff appearances. His overall record is 277-183.Berezwick is looking to bring that same type of success to Lehighton, but wanted to thank head coach Eric Gidney and assistant coach Darcey Cawley for their part in building the Indians program. Gidney left the head coaching position in the spring to take a head coaching position closer to his home at Muhlenberg High School."It's important for me to thank Coach Gidney for putting this program in the right place, and Coach Cawley for all her help," said Berezwick. "Coaching changes are very difficult for players and coaches, and Coach Cawley kept the team together and working during this transition."Berezwick believes that he is in the right place at the right time, which has been something in his career that he is eternally grateful for."When the Tamaqua boys team needed a JV coach, I was in the right place at the right time, and then in 1997 when the girls job opened it was the same exact thing," said Berezwick. "I was surrounded by a great community, loyal fans, amazing players, and a fantastic school district. Now, for the third time, I believe I am in the right place at the right time again, and I'm proud to say that I'm now an Indian."Also at the board meeting, Thomas Scheitrum was hired as a girls' basketball assistant coach. In the only other coaching move Monday, the board approved Stephen Kalbach as a boys basketball volunteer coach.