LADIES BASKETBALL: Lucarelli, Ferguson tabbed as head coaches
Dante Lucarelli, Old Forge women basketball coach Two Lackawanna League girls
basketball groups made coaching relocations for next season. Old Forge eliminated the interim tag from Dante Lucarelli’s name and made him the head coach, while North Pocono restores Joe Ferguson as its head coach.
Lucarelli went from JV coach to interim varsity coach in early January when Pete Sulla stepped down and guided Old Forge for its final 13 games.
“Being a head coach is something I have actually always desired, something I have actually prepared for years down the line,” Lucarelli stated. “I saw the opportunity a little earlier than I expected, so I was very thrilled to hop in and get on it and attempt to get this program back to where it utilized to be.”
The reality he gets to do it, too, at his alma mater makes it more special. He finished from Old Forge in 2021 and his father Art was an assistant coach under Al Semenza.
“It is among the very best feelings in the world,” Lucarelli stated. “Just being back as the JV coach, I was really thrilled, extremely happy. With my daddy training together with Al Semenza for practically twenty years, I was at practice every day when I was little and seeing what it was like behind the scenes. In between that and the entire town ambiance we have here, you can’t beat it. Everybody likes their sports here. Everybody’s behind you 110 percent win, loss, tie, whatever it may be.”
Currently, Lucarelli has seen a change in mindset within the program.
“We’re weightlifting, doing summertime camps and a lot of stuff that wasn’t formerly done,” Lucarelli stated. “Structure that bond right now is the most important thing for us. The ladies from last year sort of had a hard time at times with team chemistry. So now we have the full offseason to get these ladies ready to go. All they’re speaking about is basketball. It’s a lot different than in the past. I’m getting texts from players, moms and dads, other coaches. Everyone’s excited for this year and see what it can bring.”
Led by Jewlya McCullon, a Times-Tribune All-Region and Pennsylvania Sports Writers Class 2A second-team all-state choice, Old Forge was 11-12 general last season. McCullon graduates, but the Lady Blue Devils were a young team and bring back everybody else.
“I’m itching to go right now,” Lucarelli said. “With a new head coach and an extremely young– some might say inexperienced– team, I believe we have a lot to prove as a group.”
Ferguson makes a return to the North Pocono sidelines. He spent 3 seasons as an assistant coach with the boys team from 1995-99, then coached the ladies group from 1999-2004. Featuring players such as Laura Franceski and Emily Lynch, the Lady Trojans went 82-51 and won 2 District 2 titles.
He likewise coached the Scranton Preparation women (2004-07) and kids teams (2007-13), as well as stints with the Marywood University ladies (2014 ), Stroudsburg High School boys (2017) and Forest City ladies (2018 ). He began his coaching profession in 1990 at Dunmore under Ross Macciocco. He is in his 31st year as a health and athletics teacher at North Pocono.
“I love teaching my trainees at North Pocono and the chance presented itself,” Ferguson said. “I’m simply happy the administration and school board put their rely on me. We have the numbers– 50 kids already in grades 7 through 11– so that is actually good to see. The interest in women basketball is strong, specifically considering that we had those groups that won District 2 champions.”
This season under Kiana Williams, North Pocono went 13-10. The Lady Trojans finish simply one senior, suggesting they revive a young, solid nucleus that includes present sophomore Ella Clementoni, a Lackawanna League Division I coaches first-team all-star.
“Everyone else is returning, so it’s a very interesting time,” Ferguson said. “We’re going to strive, work together and have fun.”
Originally Published: May 17, 2025 at 2:16 AM EDT