Aly York, a 1,000-point scorer at Daniel Boone, is named Hamburg's girls basketball coach

May 10—The last time Hamburg made a trip to Daniel Boone for girls basketball the players noticed something in the trophy case.

It was a ball that paid tribute to a career that ended not so long ago. It was Aly York's 1,000-point ball.

York, then the JV coach at Hamburg, has been hired to take over the varsity. She spent the past four seasons as an assistant under Jim Moll.

This was always York's plan. She went to Kutztown University to major in elementary education and hoped to become a teacher and coach one day. Her dad, Tom, coached Wilson's girls and has been an assistant with Kutztown's men's team for 20 years. (He also coached KU's women from 1987-94).

"Growing up around it all made me want to follow in his footsteps," said York, who teaches learning support for third and fourth grade in Hamburg School District. "It was always something I enjoyed. It was one of my passions."

York ranks 90th in Berks history with 1,135 points. The 5-9 guard averaged 13.7 points as a senior in 2011. She helped Boone get within one point of the county championship game the previous year.

Hamburg finished 11-10 last season and ended Wyomissing's 62-game league winning streak in February under Moll.

Athletic director Aaron Menapace praised Moll's contributions both coaching the team and mentoring York as she moved toward her first varsity opportunity.

"I believe she is a rising star in the profession," Menapace said. "Her energy, intensity and attention to detail coupled with her care for our girls from the elementary program through high school are going to bode well for Aly in building upon what Jim has established."

York said she'll bring many of the drills and plays she learned while growing up in Berks. She'll implement the weight training program she used at Kutztown, where she played basketball and volleyball.

The former All-Berks selection said she remains connected with many of her Daniel Boone teammates and hopes to build that kind of camaraderie at Hamburg.

"Not only teamwork, bringing that to the girls, but being close with the other players," York said. "Having that friendship later in life. Teaching them to play basketball but making them into young women who have character as well."

York said former Brandywine Heights standout Adreana Sadowski will remain on the staff as an assistant. York joins Reading High's Rashida Suber as the only two women varsity basketball coaches in the county.

Hamburg had a deep and balanced team last season with eight players averaging between 2.3 and 6.5 points. It was the Hawks' first winning season in seven years.

"We definitely lost some good seniors," York said. "We have a lot of good athletes and great girls outside the court. The goal is to continue to build on what we did last year. I would love for us to make the county playoffs at some point."

Maybe even add some items to Hamburg's trophy case.