After a 14-10 season, and a Schuylkill League Division 3 title in the 2022-2023 season, Marian once again figures to be competing for postseason medals this season with a strong core returning.

The Colts will look to get over the hump after an early-round exit to Minersville a season ago in the District 11 2A playoffs.

If Marian is able to do just that, its returning scorer in Julius Currie (15.3 points per game) will be a big reason why. Currie was one of the better shooters in the Times News area last season, hitting 67 three-pointers.

“Having Julius back for us is obviously very important. He is playing very well, and looks really good,” said Marian head coach Scott Murphy. “He has improved his game on both ends of the floor. We’re expecting big things from him. Along with being excited about Julius, we’re really excited about what we’ve been seeing from our team chemistry. All of our guys have really been connecting and communicating well.”

Returning along with Currie is big man Jesse Rodino, which had a strong season a year ago averaging eight points per game. Also returning are James Rodino, Jacob Miller, Bruce Hopeck, Jake Tom, Jacob Delacruz, Justin Delacruz and Alex Thomas.

“We’re going to go about 9-10 deep. I really like our depth. We have a lot of guys that bring different things to the table,” said Murphy. “The Rodino twins are guys who bring a physicality to the game from the football field, Miller, Hopeck and Tom all bring experience, and the Delacruz twins both have nice size and are smooth out there and Thomas is going to be a contributor for us as well. It’s a good group that we’re excited about. We also have a talented freshmen class, and a solid JV program going right now. The future is definitely bright.”

Qualifying for the postseason, both league and districts are always a goal for the Colts’ program.

Marian will once again face a tough regular-season schedule, and if it’s able to qualify for the District 11 tournament, a deep 2A field.

“We’re excited to start competing, and to see how the season goes. We start out the season with a tough slate, going up against Panther Valley, Blue Mountain and Nativity. And then in our division you have Mahanoy and Nativity, who have been good year-in and year-out,” said Murphy. “And then you look at our crossover games, and there are a lot of good teams in there as well. But again, we’re excited for the challenge, and we believe these tough games throughout the season are going to prepare us to play good basketball down the stretch.”

Although Marian will be looking to be playing its best basketball midway or at the end of the regular season, getting off to a good start is important.

With a lot of the Colts key players just coming off the football season, odds are Marian will look much different from the start of the season to the midway point.

“One of the things I am seeing early on from this group is that they are doing a really nice job of sharing the basketball. That is something that is really good to see early on in the season,” said Murphy. “I think you’re going to see us evolve throughout the season.

“We have guys right now just getting back and acclimated to the game after the football season, so in that sense we’re still trying to figure out who we are. But I think that will all take care of itself as we continue to work hard and get better every day.”