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WINTER SPORTS: Several new coaches in the area


When taking over a new coaching position, there's definitely an advantage to being familiar with the team.

Most of the area's new coaches for the winter season have that luxury, but two do not.

In May, Sean Crocker, whose last head coaching stint was in Staunton, Va., took over the boys basketball post at Mercersburg Academy, and more recently, Meagan Raville was named the head coach of Southern Fulton's girls basketball team.

"It's challenging to face change," Raville said. "The girls here have been used to Terry (Bard) and Mark (Mellott), and they had a very successful program for the last 20 years. They've done really well, and it's hard for somebody brand new from the outside to come in and keep the success going and keep pushing forward."

But even though it's been a challenge, Raville still has her eyes on being a successful team, and she has the experience to do it. Raville played for Delone Catholic and graduated from Juniata College in 2012 after playing four years of collegiate ball.

"I'm taking a lot of my coaching philosophies from what I learned at Delone and Juniata College," Raville said. "A lot of what I do now as a coach really reflects my college practices. I grew up loving the game of basketball, and I want to pass that love onto the players that I coach."

Other new area coaches include Barry Purvis taking over Chambersburg's girls basketball program; Matt Mentzer moving up the ranks of the Trojans' wrestling team; Dan Craig is the new Waynesboro wrestling coach; and Forbes Road's boys basketball team will now be headed up by Trent Black. Purvis was the Lady Trojans' coach for 17 seasons in the late 1970s to early 1990s, and the other three were assistant coaches a season ago.

"The transition hasn't been much of a problem for us," Black said. "Seems like everything is going smooth. Between me and my assistant coach (Pete Hall), we work pretty well together. The style from last year to this year is completely different, but the guys knew what we were expecting from the get-go."

There is one other slight coaching change in the area. Chambersburg girls swimming coach Donnie Miller is on sabbatical, so boys coach Chad White will serve as the interim coach for the season. Chambersburg YMCA Chargers coach Anthony Addlesberger has been brought on to assist White for the year.