Former Tamaqua coach ends retirement to lead Lehighton success

In his own words, new Lehighton girls basketball coach Joe Berezwick calls his return to coaching after a two-year hiatus, “a feel good story.”

And he’s not the only one inside of what he describes as “a happy place.”

In the school’s history, you could count on one hand how many times the Lady Tribe had qualified for the district playoffs, but this season’s team already has 11 wins and is guaranteed a playoff berth with seven games still left to be played on the schedule.

“I was looking for the right opportunity to get back into coaching, and when the Lehighton job opened up, I was very fortunate to come to this talented and established team,” Berezwick said.

“When I was at Tamaqua, we played Lehighton, who started two very talented freshman who you knew would get better.”

Those freshmen, now seniors, are top scorers Skylynn Faust and Aubrey Blasiak, who have spearheaded the Indians to their best late-season record in recent history.

After 18 years at Tamaqua, with 14 district qualifiers, three district championships and a Coach of the Year award in 2011, Berezwick awakened one morning and decided it was “time to get off the merry-go-round.”

“I guess I could say that it was the easiest, but hard decision I made, or was it the hardest, but easy decision to leave coaching.”

His Lady Raiders had fallen on hard times, having won just four games in two years.

“I was already preparing for the 2016 season when I told my assistant coaches I was thinking of stepping down, and they supported whatever I thought was best for me.”

Berezwick left the courtside bench, but he didn’t leave the gym. He was a ticket taker and game manager for Raider games, and with more free time, he watched his son Joe play the first half of his senior year at Tamaqua (a broken wrist shut him down for the rest of the season).

“When I watched games, the coach in me never left. I was always thinking what would I do in certain situations,” he said. “But I remember another retired coach telling me you can never lose a game while you’re sitting in the stands.”

In his second year away from the game, his itch to coach got worse.

“My wife Karen knew there was something missing from me. I got antsy and started to look for openings that might be the right fit.”

So at age 57, Berezwick, with his batteries recharged, got “back on the horse” as he said. Once approved at Lehighton, he drove to Catasauqua to meet the members of his new team who were playing in a summer league.

“I could see it in their eyes right away,” he explained. “They were ready to do whatever I asked to be successful.”

During the first few practices, he set a goal for his players.

“Let’s flip the record. Last year you were 9-13, so let’s go 13-9 and beyond this season,” he said.

The team embraced his slogan, and even wear T-shirts at practices that read “Flip and Beyond” on the back.

Berezwick drew from his savvy coaching experience to evaluate the state of the team and decided to make only subtle changes to their style of play.

“We pretty much stayed with what they know, especially with four starting seniors,” he said. “We run a motion offense with four moving parts, but on defense, although I’m old school and prefer playing man to man, I figured out that this team is better playing zone so we made the adjustment and it’s worked out pretty well so far.”

Berezwick credits his assistant coaches, Tom Scheitrum, David Yob, and Amy Shinkus, along with his son for helping to make a smooth transition.

“I’m no hero at Lehighton. I’m very fortunate to have great kids on my team and great support from the parents and the school.”

When asked about his coaching future, Berezwick said he is doing what he tells his team.

“Play one game at a time,” although he added with a laugh, “I might coach another 18 years here.”

With seven games left on the schedule, Lehighton sits in second place in the Schuylkill League Division 1 standings, poised to earn an entry into the league’s postseason tournament,

“I got back on the bicycle, but I am making sure I pedal slowly when I’m going downhill,” he said.

After a moment of reflection, he added, “It’s been a great ride.”

A HAND FOR THE GRAND ... Last Thursday night against Minersville, Weatherly fans rose from their seats to applaud Emily Zoscin after she sank two free throws and scored her 1000th career point. She became the 23rd player in the school’s history to earn admission into the Wrecker’s Grand Club.

EIGHT IS ENOUGH ... Last Saturday, Pleasant Valley rallied from 10 points down at the half to defeat East Stroudsburg North. Noah Neubert scored all eight of his points in the decisive fourth quarter in the Bears’ two-point win.

FOURTH AND 11 ... In last Thursday’s nine-point win over Palmerton, Northern Lehigh scored 11 straight points in the fourth quarter to blow open what was a two-point game. Brandon Hess scorched the nets for 30 points to lead his Bulldogs to the win.

SECOND-HALF SURGE ... On the same night, the Palmerton girls erased a 16-point halftime deficit to beat Northern Lehigh, 40-34. Down 25-8 late in the first half, the improbable comeback included two 8-0 runs and a stifling defense that gave up only six points in the third quarter and just one free throw in the fourth.