Changes are a part of sports, and both the girls’ and boys’ basketball teams received new coaches for their 2025-26’ seasons.
Both coaches are returning to their positions after taking some years off from coaching athletes.
Girls’ basketball coach, Travis Heap, started as the head coach of the program back in 2014, and boys’ basketball coach, Mike Mussina, was the head coach of the program from 2013-2021.
Both coaches are alumni from Montoursville, and also were a part of the boys’ basketball program when they were students.
“I played basketball at Montoursville HS from 1984-1987. I did not play basketball in college. I actually played baseball at Stanford University,” said Mussina when asked whether he played basketball in college.
Both coaches said they have a love for coaching and for basketball and watching kids grow.
“[I] was excited to come back and coach at the program that started my coaching career. Without the start at Montoursville the first time around, I never would have been able to make the jump to Penn College,” said Heap when he explained why he chose to come back to this program.
Mussina also shared why he wanted to coach.
“I came back to basketball because I simply wanted to be involved again. I’m the varsity golf coach and an assistant baseball coach as well.”
Mussina noted that his team has lots of experience with having seven seniors on the team, and they have strong height and guard play. He noted that he doesn’t think the team demonstrates many weaknesses, and he also commented, “There are always things to get better at.”
“[The] main goal of the season is to develop a winning culture within the program while competing for a spot in district playoffs,” said Heap, while Mussina said, “Our main goal is to be a better basketball team at the end of the season. If we keep improving, our other objectives will take care of themselves.”
Senior basketball players, Emily George and Micheal Wood have been in their programs since their freshman years and have been coached by different coaches.
Wood and George have both played basketball for around 13 years. George is a point and shooting guard, and Wood is a guard.
Each of these athletes said they had different reactions and expectations to the news of their programs receiving new coaches.
“I was super excited a new coach who had tons of years of experience at the high school and college level,” said George. “[I] knew Travis was going to be hard on me and push me to better me for the season and next level, and he has done so making me a mix better player,” said George.
“Initially,” Wood said, “I was excited for the change, but I was also upset because I liked the old coach, too. I expected to do more conditioning throughout the season, and we have.”
Both athletes have very important individual goals for themselves to help contribute to their goals that they have for the team.
“An individual goal of mine that I’ve had is to be able to look back on my senior year and say I had the best year yet and the best time with the best teammates. Travis has helped us focus on being a team first and creating a family like environment,” said George.
Wood’s said his goal is to be a supported teammate and to make it a priority to make each player feel included during both practices and games.
Sophomores Reagan Tucker and Isaac Erlandson are newer to the program, but have both played basketball for many years.
“I thought that Travis was going to be a good thing for the team and help us reach our potential,” said Tucker, who has played basketball since she was 10 years old. “I expected him to push us and have high expectations for us, as well as coach us and teach us to be a better, more connected team. So far I feel like he has definitely lived up to them.”
Erlandson, who has played since second grade also spoke of his expectations for the new coach.
“I was excited for Mike to coach since he had been a good coach in past tournaments. I expected the team to improve, and so far we have improved since last year,” he said.
Tucker said her individual goal is to contribute to the team as much as possible, and her team goal is to make the playoffs.
“I think Coach Heap can help us to achieve that by pushing us to play our best and help us to learn the game better and to play as a team,” said Tucker.
Erlandson goal is to continue to do the little things to help the team to succeed, and he thinks Mussina will push him to hustle and put in his full effort every day, he said.
“I think that the goal as a team is to be playing until the first week of states, and coach will help us do that through communication and encouragement throughout the season,” said Erlandson.
Featured Photo (at top): Some of the Lady Warriors huddle together to send themselves off to start the game. This photo was taken inside of Loyalsock High School’s gymnasium, and was provided by senior Lilly McCulloch.
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