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Williamsburg Community High School hired Angela Detwiler as the new high school girls basketball coach at its board meeting Tuesday in a unanimous approval.
Detwiler, who is married to Williamsburg athletic director and high school boys basketball coach Jeff Detwiler, was the school's junior high girls basketball coach the last five seasons.
"All of the varsity players, I have coached at the junior high level," Angela Detwiler said. "Actually, the girls in eighth and ninth grade, Carrie Royer, Jamie Houck and I have coached them since they were five, so I feel like I know all the girls really well. I have coached them all, and it's going to make for a really smooth transition. I also teach them at school, so that helps me get to know them really well too."
Williamsburg had a vacancy after Amy Hileman stepped down after five seasons leading the Lady Blue Pirates, which included a District 6 Class 1A championship in 2023 and runs to the PIAA semifinals in 2022 and 2024.
"I feel like it's such a blessing to step into a program like this," Angela Detwiler said. "Amy (Hileman) has told me that if I ever need anything just to give her a call. There's a lot of support with our community, and I feel really blessed to be in a program like this. Even when I was coaching the junior high girls, I would have someone stop in and give me a scouting report from town. It's such a community and a family. It's not just a basketball program at Williamsburg. I feel blessed to be a part of it."
Detwiler was hired with a stipend of $4,315, and her appointment is effective immediately.
"We are excited to announce Angela as the next varsity girls coach at Williamsburg," Jeff Detwiler said. "The past five years she has excelled as the junior high coach. Throughout her time as the junior high coach, the teams reached the ICC championship game every year, winning four of them."
Williamsburg lost Altoona Mirror first-team all star Ayla Hileman to graduation after this past year but return fellow first-teamer LeeAnna Royer and talented sophomore-to-be Levada Gorsuch, along with a wealth of talent at the junior high level.
"We believe Angela will continue to have a positive impact with the girls," Jeff Detwiler said. "She has taught at Williamsburg the past eight years and continues to dedicate her time to the school and community."
Williamsburg lost in the PIAA semifinals to Bishop Guilfoyle at a packed Altoona Area High School Fieldhouse in a game that went down to the wire in March. The gym that night had what seemed like the entire town of Williamsburg jammed into it.
"Basketball is huge (in Williamsburg), because we're all part of it," Angela Detwiler said. "As soon as they are little, we're all part of it. A local church donates space for practices. We have coaches volunteering from kindergarten up. There are businesses that sponsor the team. That's why the gym is packed, because everyone is part of it. My daughter's group has been together since they were five. The community has supported them since they were little."
Detwiler, whose maiden name is Angela Greaser, played high school basketball for Bishop Guilfoyle and was a Mirror first-team all star in 2003-2004 and 2002-2003 and a second-teamer in 2001-2002. The Lady Marauders, who also have plenty of talent returning over the next few years, figure to be Williamsburg's biggest roadblock in Class 1A.
"My four years at BG, I only have good things to say about my time and coaches there," Angela Detwiler said. "It was such a good experience. But I live in Williamsburg, and my kids go to Williamsburg. My husband and I coach and teach at Williamsburg, so my heart is at Williamsburg and that's where it will remain."