Middletown High School Athletic Director Mike DeSimone gathered all the returning girls’ basketball players in the media center. They knew it was time.
“My first thought [when I got the note to go to the media center] was I really wonder who the coach will be,” said MHS junior guard Nicole Dziubla. “I really hoped it was someone we all knew.”
Amy Poffenbarger walked out of a storage room as DeSimone announced her as the new coach. It was like a celebrity had walked into the room; the players were ecstatic with this fresh start, especially after such a rough season last year.
“Having a fresh start is exactly what we need,” said Dziubla. “We will be able to try new things that may help the team.”
Poffenbarger coached the Mid-Maryland Middle School team before accepting the job as Knights coach. That means she had an opportunity to coach most of these players in the youth program.
“It’s very exciting to work with these kids at the older level,” said Poffenbarger. “They have matured a little bit more and their abilities have grown.”
The players love the familiarity with Poffenbarger.
“Since we’ve had her as a coach before, we kind of have an idea of what to expect,” said Dziubla. “We also know what is expected of us.”
Poffenbarger had an impressive career for herself. She grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska, where she played four sports and earned at least two letters in each.
She earned four letters on the basketball court while leading her team to two state titles. Poffenbarger earned the honor of Nebraska Player of the Year twice and earned Gatorade Player of the Year.
She was also selected to the Street and Smith All-American Team.
After her illustrious high school career, Poffenbarger took her talents to the University of Missouri. Poffenbarger continued to dominate at the next level as she is the team’s all-time leader in assists and is one of only three players in Missouri history to record a triple-double.
Poffenbarger led her team to a Big 8 championship and a berth in the NCAA Tournament.
Poffenbarger has been coaching for 15 years and seems poised to handle the transition from middle school to high school with ease.
“It was enticing to coach at the high school level,” said Poffenbarger. “It has always been a dream of mine.”
Poffenbarger will fill the shoes of Bill Miskell, who led the team to three regional titles and one state title during his 11-year stay as Knights coach.
Miskell resigned after the Knights went only 7-17 last season.
“We had some ideological differences, and we both agreed to go different ways,” Miskell said in an interview with The Frederick News-Post.
Poffenbarger intends to make some changes, including bringing back a freshmen team at Middletown.
“The talent is there,” said Poffenbarger. “We just have to get that energy put together again.”
A JV coach has not yet been announced, but Poffenbarger is hoping Ron Engle earns the job.
The Knights return eight players from last year’s squad, and with the newfound energy and familiarity, it’s almost a guarantee they will improve on last year’s record.
“They have always been a good group of players,” said Poffenbarger. “It’s just a matter of getting them to focus on basketball and not outside conditions.”
