New Bellwood-Antis varsity girls basketball coach Lindsey Conlon has plenty of coaching experience at all levels — including a one-game cameo as the Lady Blue Devils interim head coach last season in a 65-52 win over Central in January.

“We are excited to name Lindsey Conlon as our next varsity girls basketball coach at Bellwood-Antis,” Bellwood-Antis athletic director Charlie Burch said. “Lindsey has been an integral part of our program for the last four years as our junior high coach and most recently stepped in as a varsity assistant, where she continued to show her knowledge, preparation and commitment to our student-athletes.”

Conlon served as Jim Swaney’s varsity assistant for the second half of last season after coaching against Central. Bellwood-Antis earned a home playoff game in the District 6 Class 2A playoffs but fell to United in the quarterfinals.

“As the junior high coach, I knew all of the girls,” Conlon said. “I am a teacher in the district as well, and I have coached all of the grade levels except for this year’s senior class, so to me making that transition was fairly comfortable throughout the season.”

Conlon, whose maiden name is Barr, played basketball at Altoona under Craig Long and then at Penn State Altoona.

“I have played basketball since I was in second grade,” Conlon said. “I played all the way through college and started coaching in my senior year of college at Keith Junior High School. My husband and I moved to Connecticut, and I just kept coaching because I really love the game of basketball. I have had some really powerful mentors in my playing career that had a really big impact on me as a person and as a player. I really wanted to give back to that and give back to the game that I really love.”

Conlon’s daughter, Avery, played as a freshman last season at the varsity level.

“I have enjoyed every moment I have had coaching,” Conlon said. “I have a kid in the elementary program and have helped coach that team, and I have a kid who will be a sophomore on next year’s team. Being around her and sharing my love and passion for the game has been my goal. I just want to be a mentor to these kids like mine were for me and share the love of the game that I have.”

Bellwood-Antis graduates several solid seniors led by two-time all state forward Lilly Gerwert, who was selected as the Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference MVP this past season.

“Our style will be dependent on the players we have in the program,” Conlon said. “I understand that this year that changes massively with the loss of some of our seniors, but honestly, I really want to get after it defensively and really want these girls to be in shape. I want us to really be stronger on the defensive side of the ball and really get after boards. I’d like to run as much as we can. We have a smaller crew of kids coming in, but we have a pretty athletic and fast crew. I’d like to run the floor as much as I can.”

Burch believes Conlon will continue the solid history of the program over the past decade-plus.

“She brings an impressive and well-rounded resume from her experiences prior to Bellwood-Antis, and she is exceptionally well-prepared for this opportunity,” Burch said. “Lindsey coaches with intensity and passion, and we are confident that the girls basketball program is in very solid hands under her leadership.”