Matus excited to take over Edison girls basketball program

Alana Fidler was a second-team All-Sandusky Bay Conference Bay Division pick at Edison as a junior and senior. Now Alana Matus, after a recent marriage in July, was named the new head girls basketball coach for the Chargers after Chelsey Meagrow stepped down at the end of the season in March. Matus was offered a teaching position at Edison High School last summer and immediately knew she wanted to be involved in the basketball program. "Chelsey was one of my softball coaches in high school, and we stayed in touch after I graduated and had begun my coaching career," Matus said. "I served as the JV coach last season and had a wonderful time being back at my alma mater and getting to work with incredible students, staff, and players. "When Chelsey decided to step down, I knew I was interested in taking on a head coaching position again." After graduating from Edison in 2019, Matus continued her education at the University of Toledo, where she received her bachelor's degree in adolescent young education in 2023. She also earned a master's degree in history education from the American College of Education during the 2024-2025 school year. "This season I am hoping for our team to build a competitive and fun culture," Matus said. "We have a fairly young group of players, and I am excited to get to work and grow with them throughout the season. With a new conference, new division, new coach, and new group of varsity players, it really feels like a fresh start, and that is very exciting for us." She started coaching while she was in college, becoming a junior varsity assistant at Toledo's St. Ursula Academy for the 2022-2023 coach. After the head coach stepped down, she became the varsity head coach for one season. She decided to move back home and accepted a teaching and coaching position at St. Mary Central Catholic, serving as a varsity assistant during the 2024-2025 season. "As a coaching staff, we have had a strong emphasis on fundamentals over the summer," Matus said. "We are hoping to keep improving our fundamental skills and be well-conditioned. We also have a handful of team bondings planned, and we're looking forward to growing in skill, mindset, and community. "Additionally, we are pursuing opportunities to involve and work with our elementary and middle school players to continue creating a strong team culture." Meagrow will stay on as a volunteer assistant after guiding Edison to an 8-14 record last season. That included a 2-8 mark in the SBC Bay. She coached through the death of her father, Richard Eckel, who passed away in November at the age of 86. Her son, Coltyn Meagrow, graduated in June and is planning to play collegiately at Heidelberg University. "This season was particularly difficult because I lost my dad right at the beginning of it," Chelsey Meagrow said. "It was already going through my mind whether it would be my last season to be the head person. Coltyn is playing college basketball, and watching him is a little easier if you're not running a program. "My dad always instilled in me that your family is your priority. You only get one chance at this, and you want to make sure you're present." Chelsey's daughter, Olivia, will be a freshman on this year's team. Chelsey will continue to coach AAU basketball as part of the Buckeye Blast organization. "I love being around the girls," Meagrow said. "I've coached Liv's class since they were in T-ball. I couldn't just totally step away, and luckily Alana is very receptive to that." Matus, 24, was a three-sport standout in high school. "It is always great to have volunteer coaches, especially ones that have experience at the varsity level," said Matus of Meagrow staying on to help. "It is always a blessing to have people on board that want to help and see the students succeed." Matus met her husband, Brent, while coaching at St. Ursula. He was the JV coach before coaching at his alma mater, Toledo Central Catholic, for three seasons. "It has been a blessing to be able to collaborate on coaching our respective teams throughout the years, but I am excited for us to be on the same staff again," Matus said. Matus also said she is extremely fortunate to have both Fred Seville and Ryan Fry on staff again this year. The Chargers are scheduled to open the regular season Nov. 24 at Elmwood. "I believe our coaching staff is diverse in our talents and approaches, and I can't imagine a better group to collaborate with," Matus said. "Overall, we are extremely excited to start the season and continue building a strong basketball community and program at Edison."