For Mary Gauronsky, it began rather innocently back in 1976.

Over the years, it developed into an institution for a few high school’s basketball programs — the latest being the Lehighton girls.

For 50 years, Gauronsky has made her scorekeeping an art and a coal-region staple.

“In 1976, I met my future husband Ted Gauronsky,” recalled Mary. “He was coaching CYO basketball at St. Joseph’s in Summit Hill.

“He asked me if I could keep the scorebook for his games. I had never kept score at a basketball game, but I thought I would give it a try. I could not have guessed that basketball would become a way of life. Now 50 years and thousands of games later, I’m still sitting at midcourt with a pencil and a scorebook.”

A pencil and scorebook would be the links to enhance her family chemistry and a basketball bond with her husband and daughter, Nadia, who currently leads the Indians.

Her basketball odyssey with her husband continued with the junior high girls teams at Panther Valley and Jim Thorpe. When her husband became the head girls basketball coach at Panther Valley, Gauronsky kept the book for the varsity and the junior high games.

When her husband stepped down as head coach, Gauronsky kept her crusade while her daughters Nadia and Tanya played. After her daughters graduated, Gauronsky kept the book for the Panther Valley boys program.

Her expertise also took her beyond the Carbon and Schuylkill counties boundaries. Gauronsky also kept score at her children’s AAU stops at Long Island, Las Vegas, Niagara Falls, and Quebec to name a few.

However, there was a time when Gauronsky believed her lifelong calling would come to a screeching stop.

“I thought my scorekeeping days were over, but then my daughter Nadia became the varsity girls coach at Jim Thorpe and once again I was sitting at midcourt,” noted Gauronsky.

“It was my second time at Jim Thorpe, but after three seasons, Nadia was not rehired. Nadia accepted the head coaching position at Lehighton in 2024 and once again asked me to be a part of the program.”

Her daughter always has a feeling of self assurance on the Lehighton sidelines.

“I think it’s been great knowing your mom is right there to look over you and make sure you’re OK, not only as a player but also now as a coach,” emphasized Nadia. “She has had the best seat in the house as far as I know with some great games where she was in the front row. She was with me at Jim Thorpe, and now at Lehighton.”

Through the years, there have been a myriad of memories, but the elder Gauronsky cherishes a handful that always come to mind.

“It’s difficult to pick the most memorable games, but watching Ted’s 1992 Panther Valley girls upsetting Catasauqua to become the first Panther Valley girls team to qualify for the state tournament and finish with a 21-7 record was special,” said Gauronsky.

“Of course, the first and only Panther Valley girls district championship of 1999 with Nadia as a team captain was very special. I also know I’ll never forget that moment at Berwick when Jim Thorpe scored with three seconds left to secure a one-point victory to advance to the final four in the PA state tournament.”

Her husband recounted how they worked together on the court.

“We were a team,” said Ted. “I did the easy part telling kids where they needed to be on the floor, but she kept the book. She would always remind me when a player was getting in foul trouble, and how many timeouts we had.

“At away games, she would make sure that the scorebooks matched because the home scorebook is official. She did much more than count baskets. She kept track of turnovers for both teams, as well as how many shots were taken by each player on both teams.”

The tradition has continued with their daughter.

“She still keeps track of these things for Nadia at Lehighton,” added Ted. “I was the one who called in the games to the newspapers when we got home. I was able to tell reporters how we shot the ball quarter-by-quarter, and how many times we turned the ball over. It’s easier today to report scores because cell phones are used to take a picture of her work.”

Nadia doesn’t find it awkward having her mother at the scorer’s table, but is reminded occasionally of her motherly nature.

“Every once in a while I’ll hear her yell ‘Nadia’ to tell me to calm down,” mused Nadia. “But then afterwards, my father and I would talk coach-to-coach, and so I feel justified why I was yelling.”

Basketball has involved many chapters of the Gauronskys’ lives. Nadia had a standout career at Mansfield University, while Tanya starred at Northampton Community College. Son Gregory excelled at Penn State-Hazleton.

Aside from scoring games, Gauronsky has enjoyed watching another basketball chapter open, as her grandchildren have begun their basketball trek.

“I don’t keep score at their games,” said Gauronsky. “But I get to watch my grandchildren Charlotte and Jack as they participate in the Lehighton elementary program.”

And, who knows? Maybe Gauronsky will have the opportunity to keep score for another family generation.

**********

PANTHER STREAK CONTINUES ... The Panther Valley boys basketball team failed to reach the playoffs this season, but Pat Crampsie’s club managed to keep an amazing streak alive.

The Panthers connected for at least one three-pointer in every game this season — the 16th straight time they’ve done that.

PV has now made at least one trey in 370 consecutive games. The last time it failed to hit from behind the arc was Feb. 13, 2010 against Tamaqua.

**********

MARCHING TO THE LINE ... On Jan. 23, the Tamaqua boys basketball team did something quite amazing in its game against Pine Grove.

The Raiders, during a 73-64 victory, attempted 60 free throws — making 38 of them.

The last time Tamaqua made as many as 50 trips to the line — let alone the 60 against Pine Grove — was Feb. 7, 1995 when it went 33-for-50 at the charity stripe against Blue Mountain. In that game, Joe Ligenza was 14-of-19 at the line.

The 38 free throws made were actually more than points the Raiders scored in four games this season.

**********

LEAGUE PLAYOFFS ... Seven area teams have earned berth in their respective league playoffs.

In the Colonial League, both the Lehighton and Northwestern boys and girls teams have qualified, as well as the Palmerton girls. Quarterfinals games will be held this evening.

In the Schuylkill League, both the Tamaqua and Marian girls will be participating in the postseason. The two teams will open quarterfinal play on Saturday.

**********

20-SOMETHING ... Northwestern’s Natalie Conner scored 26 points in the Tigers’ regular-season finale in a win against Freedom.

It marked the 14th time this season that she reached at least 20 points in a game. That’s the most of any Times News area player.

The only others with at least 10 20-point games are Lehighton’s Cole Dietz (13), and Northern Lehigh’s Kellen Bauer (10).

**********

INDIAN MILESTONE ... The Lehighton girls currently have a 20-2 record. This marks the first time in program history that the Indians have reached 20 wins in a season.

In fact, the last time the Lehighton girls had more than 15 wins in a season was the 1996-97 campaign, when they went 17-9 under head coach Donna Albright.

Since that 1996-97 season, the Indians only had three winning years out of 28 before this season.