Survive and advance.

That has been the mission statement for the Marian girls’ basketball program over the past two seasons during the playoffs.

The result of that focused approach has proven favorable, with the Fillies collecting back-to-back district championships.

As a program, Marian has won 11 district titles, but it’s the first time it has won back-to-back district championships since it won three in a row from 1979-81.

“At the end of the day, our girls’ approach to the game of basketball over the last two years is that they have been playing for the name on the front of their jerseys, and they have been playing for each other,” said head coach Damian Fritz. “Their goal is to make sure that Marian Catholic advances to the next round. It’s not who scores how many points or who makes how many shots.

“These girls legitimately like spending time together, and they love each other. When you pair that with great leadership from our senior captains in Ashley Pleban and Kerrigan Digris, it’s easy to see why we have been so successful.”

Marian has compiled an impressive 45-8 record over the past two seasons, and its 24 wins this season are the most in a single season since the 2014 Fillies district championship team won 25 games.

However, the path toward Marian’s recent championship surge has not been easy. It has taken a dedicated offseason sacrifice from everyone associated with the program.

“These girls have always worked hard since I got here, but this offseason the sacrifices that this group made to really put the work in and put the time in shows on the court every time we take the floor,” said Fritz. “And it’s just not the players; it’s also the parents that put their support behind us this summer and honestly really sacrificed a good portion of their summer to help us get better.

“With this group coming back, we knew the potential. And now, I hope we have set a precedent this offseason for our future teams, that if we go into the offseason and work hard and go all in, that you’re going to be in the mix year in and year out to play for championships.”

Marian has been dominant this season, and has done so with a balanced approach on both offense and defense.

The Fillies’ offense features five players that average seven or more points per game in Carly Minchhoff (12.6 ppg), Frankie Martinelli (10.0), Fatikha Tikhtova (8.5), Ashley Pleban (8.4) and Kerrigan Digris (7.3). Marian also likes to shoot the three, as it leads the Times News area with 147 team three-pointers.

But the story for Marian this season has been its tenacity on the defensive end.

The Fillies’ pressure defense - both in the full court and in the half-court - has been difficult for teams to handle. Because of their relentless pressure, the Fillies have given up just 30.9 points per game, 2.1 three-pointers per contest, and teams are shooting an average of just 18.5% against them this season.

“I’m so proud of the way our team has developed a defensive mentality, and really, they bought into our defensive plan right from the beginning,” said Fritz. “Defense is always going to be there for you if you play with effort and good communication, and our girls have really worked hard to be a good defensive team.

“Again, that comes from good leadership and playing together. Everyone knows their job and where they’re supposed to be, and our defense has helped us win games this season when maybe we weren’t clicking or in rhythm offensively.”

A season ago, the Fillies qualified for the Schuylkill League playoffs (as Division 3 champs) for the first time since 2016, won the District 11 Class 1A championship, and advanced to the second round of the PIAA Class 1A state tournament. This season, Marian was able to get to the Schuylkill League final for the first time since 2016 (once again winning Division 3), win the District 11 Class 2A championship, and is poised for a deep run in the PIAA Class 2A state tournament. The program has improved steadily, advancing a little deeper over the last two seasons.

“What we have been able to accomplish in two years is really special and exciting,” said Fritz. “If you put the time in and put the extra work in, you’re going to put yourself in a position to be successful. I think you’re going to see us continue to grow as a program because of the precedent and foundation that these girls have built.

“I’m just so happy and proud of them, and we’re excited to have the opportunity to continue on our journey in the state playoffs.”