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Panthers enjoy strong start as Schieler takes reins at Central York

After a season filled with adversity, many didn't know what to expect from Central York. But so far, the Panthers have maintained and met their own expectations.

YORK, Pa. — If you look at what the Central York girl's basketball team has accomplished in their young season, it looks to be business as usual in Panther country.

"A lot of people expected us to downgrade because we lost so many people, we lost our coaching staff," recalled sophomore guard Alivia McCaskell.  "Central's expectation is just to go out, play hard, and win.  That's what I was expecting."

In the past year, the Panthers had to deal with more adversity than most.  Last January, their longtime coach Scott Wisner stepped aside after he was diagnosed with a form of brain cancer.  

The Panthers went on to a 25-win season and a playoff run, while also raising thousands of dollars for their former coach, all while 'winning for Wisner.'

"Obviously, I was coached by Wisner for the first three years of high school, so it was new, but I think we have formed a chemistry that really helps us when we play," said senior shooting guard Irelynd Long.

To start the 2023-2024 season, Central York turned to a familiar coach, who knows what it takes to win in the white, orange, and black.

Kevin Schieler stepped down from leading the boys' team in 2020.

"You know, I've been very lucky just to be teaching here as long as I have been and then had some success on the boys' side," said Schieler.  "So when the girls' job opened up, it was just a no-brainer to me.  To work in this district and to work within the district with so many high character, talented students is just a great blessing."

He calls the chance to pick up the whistle for Central York, an obvious choice...and his connection to coach Wisner is just as strong as the one for the team he's leading now.

"Actually, Coach Wisner and I worked as assistants together for Marty Hasenfuss' staff," recalled Schieler.  "My wife, Scott was her softball coach.  My sister-in-law was on Wisner's 1999 district championship team, so that helped build a bond."

The Panthers have had to learn a new system, but so far, so good.  Central York locked up a holiday tournament championship win and has helped their new coach to his 200th career win.

"There's definitely a difference between Schieler's style of play and Wisner's style of play, but I think both coaches wanted to play hard, so that was kind of an easy transition," Long said.

"Coming in this year, I mean, I've known some of these girls before even basketball, so knowing them and then having Schieler as a coach is definitely amazing," added McCaskell

   

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