The void is obvious, even with a new cast from top to bottom.

The 2025-26 edition of the Marian girls basketball team debuted Saturday at Jack Malarkey Gymnasium.

This is far from last season’s squad, even with two returning standouts and three raw newcomers still finding their footing.

The opener felt like just that — an opener.

Marian struggled on both ends, and had trouble extending its defense against Wilkes-Barre High School, especially against its dominant leader — Jaida Underwood — in a 45-39 loss.

The quick-footed sophomore can soar, and showed it as Underwood poured in 19 points and grabbed 11 of her team’s 37 rebounds.

A rising talent in the Wyoming Valley, Underwood drew a smile from her coach, Dale Rapson — understandable for such a high-caliber athlete.

“Jaida is a phenomenal athlete… she’s a district champion (Class 6A) in the high jump, as a freshman, an all-league volleyball player, she’s just a dynamic athlete,” Rapson said.

It’s a résumé few at this level can match. Marian isn’t without talent either.

Addy Marek and Deana Pugh led the Fillies, but depth remains thin.

Marek scored 17 points, Pugh added eight, and promising freshman Haley Minzola had 11 in her varsity debut.

“We’re going through a learning experience, me too,” said first-year coach Jeanette Barron.

Shot selection was another issue. Marian trailed 10-9 after the first quarter, and slogged through a 6-for-22 second quarter.

Even so, the Fillies stayed close as they took a 17-15 lead on two Minzola baskets, and her putback made it 19-18 before Underwood scored to give the Wolfpack a 20-19 halftime lead.

There was still hope until 3:23 remained in the third quarter.

Minzola, Katie Knock and Pugh all helped spark a brief run that gave Marian a 27-25 lead. But four late turnovers fueled an 11-2 Wilkes-Barre spurt.

Underwood and Emily Burrouk each scored four during the stretch, while Allyan Philbert and Mora both hit 3-pointers.

A fourth-quarter surge pushed Wilkes-Barre to a 45-33 lead as Marian’s offense went cold (2-for-8). Underwood was sensational, scoring seven straight to end any chance of a comeback.

“We knew coming in that Addy Marek and Dianna Pugh were very good players,” Rapson said.

“I coached against them last year, and we wanted to do to the best of our ability take the ball out of their hands.”

Rapson wasn’t worried about leaving others with open looks.

“Pugh and Marek are so good, that was our main focus,” he said.

QUICKNESS STOOD TALL ... Barron said she shifted to a zone defense because the Fillies need to slow opponents down.

SO GOOD ... Pugh and Marek rarely should leave the floor unless injured, tired or in foul trouble. Newcomers Minzola, Knock and Gia DeCosmo should complement them once the season settles in.

SHOOTING IT UP ... Marian shot 17-for-59; Wilkes-Barre went 17-for-51. The Fillies hit one 3-pointer, while the Wolfpack made six. Marian had the edge on the boards, 43-40, but committed 22 turnovers. Wilkes-Barre had 28.

QUOTABLE I ... “I give her a lot of credit, she played better than (I saw) watching the film.” — Barron on Underwood.

QUOTABLE II ... “This is a transitioning for us. We’ve got two girls coming off last year’s season, three girls who are new.” — Barron on Knock, Minzola and DeCosmo.

WILKES-BARRE

Underwood 9-1-3-19, Mora 3-0-0-9, Philbert 2-0-0-6, Barrouck 3-0-0-6, Miller 1-0-0-3, Salina 0-0-0-0, Thebeault 1-0-0-2. TOTALS: 18-1-3-45.

MARIAN

Marek 8-0-2-17, Minzola 4-2-6-10, Pugh 3-2-2-8, Knock 1-0-0-2, Hanis-Miskar 1-0-0-2, DeCosmo 0-0-0-0, Van Putten 0-0-0-0. TOTALS: 17-4-10-39.

Wilkes-Barre 10 10 16 9 - 45

Marian 9 10 10 10 - 39

Three-pointers: Wilkes-Barre - Mora 3, Philbert 2, Miller 1; Marian - Marek 1.

Records: Wilkes-Barre (1-0); Marian (0-1).