Middletown High School girls varsity basketball coach Amy Poffenbarger is about to begin her second consecutive season coaching at the high school level. She has been coaching basketball in the Middletown area for 10 years and overall coaching for 15 years.

Before last season, Poffenbarger was coaching at the middle school level, specifically the Middletown Middle School girls varsity team, until she was offered to apply to be the new MHS girls varsity coach. MHS athletic director Mike DeSimone spent a great deal of time determining who would be the best fit for the new position.

When looking for new coaches, DeSimone said, “They have to support academics and challenge the student athlete to reach their full potential in a sport.”

Poffenbarger was a perfect fit for the position; she said, “I love the life lessons we take home each day, how to become more compassionate, how to be a leader, how to win and lose and, most importantly, how to grow.”

The team consensus is that everyone is ready for a new season and to utilize strengths and work on weaknesses as a new group of girls.

MHS senior Paige Tarleton said, “I’m looking forward to my final basketball season with Coach Poffenbarger and I’m excited to see how the team will build off of last year’s foundation that Coach Poffenbarger set.”

In Middletown, sports are a main focus of the community as a lot of fans attend many different sporting events. For example, Middletown football brings the town together as one on Friday nights to cheer and support the players and coaches.

However, the student body at the girls basketball games has slowly decreased over time.

“I want the student body to be more supportive of the female athletes and recognize that they’re working hard,” DeSimone said.

With the help of Poffenbarger’s coaching strategies, DeSimone’s wish may be granted.

Poffenbarger said, “I want to improve basic skills so we can compete at a higher level and still be successful, giving the community a reason to come see the team play.”

The upcoming 2015-2016 season has high expectations to reach. With Poffenbarger’s background and experience in coaching, the goals set for the girls basketball program seem highly attainable.