By BRIAN TORTELLA
Correspondent
On X @tortreports
Last week was a hectic one for the Pennsville Memorial High girls basketball program.
Robin Efelis was immediately elevated to the head coaching position at the Salem County school following the abrupt resignation of former coach Steve Merritt on Monday night.
“It was definitely unexpected,” said Efelis, who served as an assistant for the last five seasons under Merritt and his predecessor, Sam Trapp. “Mr. Merritt and I have worked together for two years now, so I kind of knew of the way he handled things, and he did a very nice job. The girls liked him and worked with him.”
Although the circumstances surrounding what led to Merrit’s resignation remain unclear — with Pennsville athletic director Jamy Thomas declining to comment on the matter — what is clear is that the Eagles are now solely focused on what lies ahead.
Pennsville is 3-0 under Efelis’s direction with victories over Woodstown, Schalick and Millville. The Eagles’ 47-33 triumph over rival Woodstown in Efelis’s debut on Tuesday was pivotal in the Tri-County Conference Diamond Division race, as Pennsville can now clinch a share of the title with a win at Penns Grove on Monday.
“I love it. I’m not sure I’m ready for all this, but I’m trying,” said Efelis, who teaches STEM at the town’s middle school. “This week has been really hard, but the girls are settled and they’re trying their hardest. They’re fighting the whole time. They’re running and they’re shooting it. I can’t ask for anything (else).
“That was our big game and they got through it,” she continued, referring to the win over Woodstown. “As you can see, they keep pushing on. They’re athletes and they want to win. They want to win the division championship. They’re always out to win and they play hard.”
The Eagles have called on a familiar face to help guide Efelis through the transition.
Ryan Wood, a longtime Pennsville educator who was a successful head coach of the Eagles’ football, boys basketball and baseball programs in different stints the past three decades, has been by Efelis’ side as the new assistant coach. Wood was also a volunteer assistant for the program from 2022 to 2024.
The situation brings a special opportunity for Wood to coach his daughter, Marley, a senior and 1,000-career-point scorer.
“I’ve coached before, so when all this happened, I think it was just natural they were going to ask me because I’ve already coached four of the seven kids,” said Wood, a 1990 Pennsville graduate. “It’s always special when you get the opportunity to coach your daughter or any of your kids. She’s an awesome kid to coach. She has a good demeanor. She’s open to me coaching her. Sometimes father-daughter or father-son isn’t always that easy, but it’s pretty special and I’m happy to have the opportunity.”
“Robin is wonderful. The girls love her and she’s great with the girls. I don’t think you really learn how to become a head coach until it’s thrust upon you. There’s a big difference between being an assistant and the (person) in charge. They’re two different things.”
Wood’s first coaching appearance came on Tuesday when the Eagles hosted Woodstown in a must-win contest for divisional standings purposes. Marley admitted it’s been a long week, but said she couldn’t be happier to have her father back in the huddle alongside Efelis.
“I was pretty surprised to hear about it, but I think everyone is taking it very well. We are still playing as a team and winning games, keeping the intensity up and not worrying about anything else,” Marley Wood said. “We’re just focused on basketball. The vibes were definitely off a little bit, but we went into the locker room before the game and everyone got pumped up. We were ready to play and took care of business.
“My dad is a great coach. We’re very close as a family, and I love him being my coach. It’s really nice to have him. (Efelis) is the best coach ever. We love her, she is our biggest fan. She was my third-grade teacher, so she’s seen me grow up. She’s been a huge part of my entire life.”
The Eagles have a 13-6 record and currently own the No. 6 seed in the South Jersey Group 1 power points standings. The cutoff is Feb. 14 and the NJSIAA tournament is slated to begin on Feb. 25. Thomas has the utmost confidence that Efelis and Wood will be able to sustain the Eagles’ winning ways. Last year, the Eagles won 18 games and made it to the sectional quarterfinals before a loss to Wildwood.
“Coach Efelis has worked under two solid coaches over the last five years. We think she’s the perfect person to step in and help us through this transition,” Thomas said. “She has a great rapport with the girls, the parents and our families. She’s a calming, steady, solid person to have in place. We’re excited that we have her.”
WHAT’S NEXT: Pennsville has two regular-season games remaining, Monday at Penns Grove at 4 p.m. and Wednesday vs. Pitman at 5:30 p.m.
