Marian Catholic High School has announced the hiring of Jeanette Shafer Barron as head coach of the Fillies basketball program.

A history teacher at Marian and recent Hazleton Sports Hall of Fame inductee, Barron brings both a decorated playing career and years of coaching experience to the program.

“I’m so excited; it has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember,” Barron said. “Basketball has always been a love of mine, and this is my way of paying it forward to the athletes of tomorrow.”

A 1992 graduate of West Hazleton, Barron scored more than 1,500 career points and led the Lady Wildcats to the 1991 Eastern Final against Allentown Central Catholic. A standout point guard, she set school records in assists and scoring, earned all-area first-team honors from both the Standard-Speaker and Pottsville Republican all four years, and was named Player of the Year by both publications as a senior.

She continued her career at Division II Lock Haven University, where she was a four-year starter and etched her name in the record book in assists and field goal attempts. Barron also competed internationally during a summer tour of Europe.

Her coaching background includes work as a junior varsity and assistant coach under Pat Brogan at Hazleton Elementary Middle School, leading a traveling team, and coaching high school AAU squads with veteran coach Joe Barletta.

“I realize this is a change for the program and I welcome the opportunity to lead it,” Barron said. “Marian is in my heart; Marian is my home. There wasn’t a better opportunity for me to step in.”

Barron, who lives in Drums with her husband, Jack, is the mother of three Marian graduates: Bethany Shaud (Class of 2015), Emily Shaud (2020) and Katie Barron (2025). Emily was a 1,000-point scorer for the Fillies, continuing the family’s basketball legacy.

“My goal is to help the girls fall in love with the game,” Barron said. “I want them to be happy, to play hard, to play smart, and to have fun. This is a time of transition, and it will take time – we need to learn about each other.”