What can they do for an encore?

Following a magical four-year ride in which they won close to 100 games, two league championships, and a district title, the page has now turned to a new chapter of Jim Thorpe girls’ basketball.

Coach Nadia Gauronsky - whose teams have compiled a 47-8 record and captured Schuylkill League and District 11 titles the last two seasons - begins her third year in charge of the program.

Gauronsky is keenly aware that this team will be unfairly compared to the superstars who graduated last spring.

“We will be finding out what kind of team we want to become,” she said, “and right now that’s just fine with me and our players.”

The lone returning starter is Mackenzie Yuhas. The 5-10 senior will be front and center in Jim Thorpe’s offensive attack.

The ceiling is high for Yuhas considering that she will most likely be playing with four girls who were all substitutes a year ago.

“Mackenzie realizes she will be our go-to girl, and she will shoulder the weight of our team,” said Gauronsky. “She’s ready for the challenge.”

Gauronsky cited rising confidence and her AAU offseason participation where Yuhas displayed improved shooting and ability to drive to the basket.

“She’ll be our court general, and leader on and off the court. Mackenzie has certainly earned the respect of her teammates.”

One of those teammates will be junior guard Haley Smelas, who stepped in for Yuhas two years ago due to an injury and played well. “Haley might be short in stature, but she’s big with her court presence,” said Gauronsky. “She has a good shot, and her court awareness shows that she knows where she has to be when she doesn’t have the ball.”

Senior Gabby Cinicola will start at a second guard position. Gauronsky calls her “a wonderful person” who shoots well and makes good decisions when the ball is in her hands.

Junior Sarah Hartman will play the point in JT’s motion offense. Her tenacity on defense last year was evident in causing multiple turnovers.

“Sarah never needs her battery charged. She’s so quick, sometimes she has to pace her game with the speed of her teammates. She will be the conductor of our orchestra.”

Junior Amara Robinson, at 5-9, will see significant time at the post position along with 5-10 sophomore Brianna Snisky. They will be counted on along with Yuhas to rebound on both ends of the court.

Working hard to earn some court time are junior Kira Ginopolas and senior Emily Dart, who returns to the program after a two-year hiatus.

Gauronsky plans to utilize her team’s quickness to offset its lack of height.

“We will find ways to score with our athleticism, and from the players we have who play multiple sports,” Gauronsky said. “On defense, we hope to score on the transition from turnovers. We will try to make the other team very uncomfortable when they have the ball.”

Gauronsky says that although much of her team lacks significant varsity playing time, they are quite battle tested. In a league based in Philadelphia this summer, her players finished in the top four, and were the top public school.

“You have to realize that many of our girls practiced the last two years against some of the best players in the area,” Gauronsky said.

In regard to the dream team and their magical season, Gauronsky put it all into her perspective.

“Last year is over.” she said. “This is a brand new season, and we are excited to find out who we are going to be as a team.”

That said, team chemistry needs time to evolve.

“Once we find our identity, we’ll put that into our strategy and go forward from there.”