Hired at last minute, new coach begins rebuilding process for Ligonier Valley girls

By: Dave Mackall
Tuesday, November 21, 2023 | 5:24 PM

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She first excelled on the basketball court as a talented player in a remote, northeast corner of Westmoreland County before continuing on as a successful coach at the now defunct St. Clair school, where she is the all-time leading scorer.

Later on, Laurel Valley icon Christy Hajjar enjoyed more prosperity as an assistant coach across the Conemaugh River, a short distance into Cambria County, at Bishop McCort in Johnstown before stepping aside to spend more time with her family.

Now, though, Hajjar finds herself in an unpredictable scenario, back in Westmoreland County as coach of the success-starved Ligonier Valley girls team, which has won a total of four games over the past three seasons and just 11 dating to 2018.

“When this job came up, it was kind of a no-brainer for me,” Hajjar said. “I missed it. I like to build stuff. It’s what really drives me.”

Ligonier Valley, which merged with Laurel Valley in 2011, hasn’t enjoyed a winning record since a 16-8 mark in the 2012-13 season. That seems like ages ago and came while Hajjar still was part of a powerhouse program at Bishop McCort.

“There’s a lot of pressure, obviously, because I’ve come from so much success,” said Hajjar, who was named coach at Ligonier Valley just last week.

She met with her new players Nov. 13, the night she was hired to succeed former Ligonier Valley standout Emily Daugherty, who abruptly resigned after three seasons.

“We did an open gym and got some running in,” Hajjar said. “We had 17 girls show up, six more than I thought I’d get. The girls have been very respectful.”

Ligonier Valley opens its schedule Dec. 1 against Beth-Center at the Donna Furnier Tournament at Jefferson-Morgan.

Securing a coach at a time when workouts at other schools already were underway was a bit of a lucky break for Ligonier Valley athletic director Wesley Siko.

“We’re, obviously, excited. We didn’t think this late in the game that we’d get someone of Christy’s caliber,” he said. “Her experience in coaching goes back to 1995. That’s a lot of years to bring to the table and teach our girls what it takes to get this thing turned around.”

After a stellar high school playing career at Laurel Valley, Hajjar, a Seward native, went on to coach at her alma mater for 15 years, winning a District 6 Heritage Conference championship in 2007.

She spent 13 seasons as an assistant at Bishop McCort, where she was part of four D-6 championship teams and one PIAA runner-up.

She also served for a time as coach of a Johnstown-based travel team.

Ligonier Valley, long ago a WPIAL member, is back in District 7 for a fourth consecutive year following a long union with District 6. But Hajjar, a recent inductee into the Ligonier Valley School District Athletics Hall of Fame (members also include those who attended the former Laurel Valley, Bolivar and New Florence schools), has had little interaction with the WPIAL through the years.

But she understands the tradition it brings.

“All my experience with the WPIAL has been in the (PIAA) playoffs,” she said. “At Laurel Valley and at McCort, we’d made the playoffs multiple times. I know the WPIAL is a strong district, and I’m eager to get started.”

Three starters return to the Ligonier Valley lineup, including forward Lyla Barr and guard Madison Marinchak, the Rams’ lone seniors.

“Lyla has just a lot of spirit for the team. She’s a great natural leader. She’s definitely one that we’re building around,” Hajjar said. “Madison keeps everyone up to par. She leads by example, and she works extremely hard. She’s got a very mature personality. She’s been around sports, and her brothers (Michael and Matthew) are good athletes.”

The other returning starter is junior guard Lindsey Gaskey, who has been working at point guard.

“She has the desire, so we’re going to try to develop that,” Hajjar said. “I keep telling all of them to hang in there. Having only the two seniors is a positive to me. They’re good leaders. They are working hard and have excellent work ethic.”

Hajjar chuckled when recalling a heart-warming scenario on the first day of practice.

“Someone comes up and thanks me for coaching us,” Hajjar said. “They all are super respectful. They’re working hard and reaching for any amount of knowledge. Right now, we’re doing some basic stuff. They’re smart girls, and, hopefully, we can continue to grow.”

Hajjar said the team possesses some talented underclassmen as well. In addition to Gaskey, fellow juniors Syndee Foust and Bella Pacienza, sophomore Abby Springer and freshman Marlee Miller figure to be in the lineup at one time or another.

The 5-foot-7 Miller is “a natural all-around athlete, a fabulous ballplayer,” Hajjar said. “She’s real humble, too. She doesn’t want to put too much light on herself. She’s shown she’s a real team player. We’re going to need her to be one of our leading scorers.”

Pacienza will be expected to bolster the backcourt, and Springer likely will be at small forward.

“We’ve got girls here who want to be successful,” Hajjar said. “We’re hoping the younger ones will develop into senior leaders some day. We’re trying to see where their level of knowledge is for the game. We’re trying to educate them.

“Unfortunately, I can’t reinvent the wheel with that just now.”

Ligonier Valley girls at a glance

Coach: Christy Hajjar

Last year’s record: 2-18 (0-10 Section 3-3A)

Returning starters: Lyla Barr (Sr., F), Lindsey Gaskey (Jr., G), Madison Marinchak (Sr. G)

Top newcomer: Marlee Miller (Fr., G)

Tags: Ligonier Valley