Is the cupboard bare for the Marian girls basketball team?

There are plenty of questions for this traditionally strong program, one that has run deep for more than a half-century at the small Catholic school.

League championship banners hang proudly.

State championships? Absolutely.

All-state players? Plenty.

Division I athletes? Marian has produced them, too.

Now the Fillies begin a new era under a new mentor — former standout Jeannette Shafer Barron, a one-time sensation at the now-defunct West Hazleton High School. Barron replaces the highly successful Damian Fritz, who guided the Fillies to a 23-5 overall record (13-1 Schuylkill League) last season before taking over the Pottsville girls program.

There are key returnees who lend support to Marian again being one of the favorites in Division III of the Schuylkill League. Addy Marek (9.8 ppg) and Deanna Pugh (11.4) form a dynamic duo. Also returning are Lexi Gelatko (1.1) and Brooke Hannis-Miskar (1.6), both of whom saw quality time late last season.

“Basically, things are going fine,” Barron said when asked about the transition.

To be fair, time was a factor. Barron was hired late and inherited a program with virtually no offseason.

“I got the job at the last minute,” she said. “No decision was made about the job. I finally got the job and there was a whole new transition, so we really had no off-season.”

That has put the Fillies behind the eight-ball, but Barron isn’t dwelling on the past. There are too many hurdles ahead as she prepares her team for the season.

Her approach is rooted in defense — forcing mistakes, applying pressure, and pushing the pace.

“We’re going to play man,” Barron said. “We want to press constantly, force teams to turn the ball over and try to create layups. It is all about situations — press on, press off, three-quarters court. So man is our first approach unless we have to go to a zone.”

Barron wants hustle, speed and maximum effort.

At the head of the class are underclassmen guards Pugh and Marek, who know the lay of the land. Pugh brings an extra burst of energy, while Marek blends length with a sharp shooting touch when she gets going.

The Fillies will need to replace the points lost to graduation and transfers. Olivia Serfass (11.45 ppg) and Addy Fritz (14.21) were standouts no longer in Hometown. Marian does return Pugh, a terrific athlete who scored 320 points (11.43 per game) and whose defensive prowess creates havoc for opponents. Marek tallied 274 points (9.73) as a freshman — not a bad foundation to build around.

Pugh is versatile and can play both guard spots. Barron said Hannis-Miskar is the team’s most improved player, calling her a “true shooting guard.” Marek is a “combo big,” able to play forward or guard.

“She can play anywhere,” Barron said. “If I needed her on point, I can move her there. That’s the type of athlete she is.”

The Fillies will be young overall. Katie Knock is a first-year freshman whom Barron calls a swing player. Freshman Haley Minzola is a tall newcomer with potential. Fellow freshman Gia DeCosmo is also in the mix.

Add in Kendall Van Putin Vink and an international player, Yuri Kwon, a quick outside threat. Barron said Hailey Trechowski and Jehona Bushati could also see time.

The Division III race is wide open, with Marian expected to be challenged by Mahanoy Area, Williams Valley, Tri-Valley and Lourdes.

“The teams are very well-balanced from what I can see,” Barron said about defending the division.