It’s been a long offseason for everyone.

COVID-19 protocols prevented summer basketball leagues and camps.

It also wiped out preseason open gyms and workouts.

While high school basketball teams around the state were excited to finally get back on the court a couple of weeks ago, it’s hard to imagine many were as thankful as Marian.

The PIAA’s first official practice date of Nov. 20 was welcomed with huge anticipation by veteran coach John Patton and his Colts.

That’s because Marian’s last basketball game left a bitter taste in the mouth of Patton and his players that only returning to the court could wash out.

“It had been almost nine months since we had been together on the court from the Williams Valley game last season until our first practice,” said Patton. “With no summer or fall basketball, it was by far the longest offseason in all my years coaching.

“It was the worst time for it too, because the way our season ended a year ago left everyone disappointed.”

A 19-6 season, that included a Schuylkill League Division 3 championship, a league playoff berth, and a District 11 playoff berth, ended with an upset loss to Williams Valley in Marian’s first district game.

The loss - which also ended the career of Marian’s all-time leading scorer Tyler Fritz - was especially tough because of the way it happened for a Marian team that was an offensive juggernaut throughout the season, averaging over 65 points a contest.

“There were a lot of highlights that we can look back on,“ said Patton. “But to lose like we did - only scoring 22 points - was hard to get over.

“When you have a game like that, you want to get right back out and practice or play again ... we’ve had to wait a long time to do that.”

Despite the loss of Fritz to graduation, the 2020-21 Colts have the ingredients to create another exciting season.

“You’re not going to replace Tyler with any one player, but we like our balance, our position flexibility, and our size,” said Patton. “We have some new players, and some players who will have new roles. I like what I’ve seen so far.”

Leading the returnees are Dante Agosti, John Malarkey and Logan Fritz. Agosti (10.3 ppg. a year ago) is a four-year starter who will be counted on for even more offense this season. Malarkey was one of the team’s top rebounders a year ago, while Logan Fritz, Tyler’s younger brother, has added several inches of height and gives the Colts scoring ability on the wing.

Julian Cerullo, Will Neyer and Chris Chambers also saw varsity action a year ago.

That group will be joined by newcomers Brendan Lonergan, Dewin Concepcion, and Frank Valente. Lonergan played for Minersville last season, while Concepcion and Valente played at Hazleton. Concepcion’s status for the season is uncertain as he awaits a PIAA eligibility ruling.

Cerullo (6-5), Lonergan (6-3) and Concepcion (6-3) give Marian good size across the front line.

“We have a nice nucleus of returning players, and some kids who transferred in, that I think can really help us as well,” said Patton. “We might use as many as eight or nine players in our rotation.

“Our goal every year is to compete for a division title in the league, and be a factor in the district playoffs. I think this team definitely has the ability to do that.”