Meet the Coaches
Next Level Strong Founder
Kathy Fedorjaka, founder of Next Level Strong, brings her passion and drive of the game of basketball to The Lewisburg YMCA. Her experience as the Bucknell University Women’s Basketball Coach has brought the basketball programs at The Lewisburg YMCA to a whole new level. Whether you are looking for 3 v 3 leagues, individual instruction, clinics or tournaments; Coach Fed has developed a well rounded program. Her goal is to impact kids in the game of basketball but also to instill life lessons that they can implement in everyday life. Marlo Egleston
Born and raised in Elkland, PA, Marlo started playing basketball in elementary school and with her teammates performed halftime dribbling and ballhandling shows at local high schools, universities, and NBA basketball games. At Elkland Area High School, she played for her father and with her sister, winning a PIAA State Championship and being named Pennsylvania Player of the Year. Marlo played AAU basketball for the Philadelphia Belles and had the opportunity to travel with a Nike Select Junior team to compete in Paris, France her senior year. Between high school and college, Marlo traveled the country assisting with Blue Star recruiting camps and US Jr Nationals basketball tournaments.
Marlo earned a full, athletic scholarship to The George Washington University. As a four-year starter, Marlo helped lead the team to 3 NCAA tournament appearances including a trip to the Elite Eight. As a freshman Marlo led the nation in 3-point field goal percentage and is still among the career leaders in assists at GW.
After College, Marlo returned to Elkland and coached boys high school basketball with her father, helping lead the team to their second ever district title and state playoff wins. During that time Marlo also participated in Nike dribbling events at NBA All-Star weekends, was featured in a Nike Commercial, and performed numerous ballhandling shows at NBA games. Marlo also organized an elementary basketball program at Elkland and did private instruction.
Marlo moved to the area after earning a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University. She met her husband Eric Wicks (Head Coach Lewisburg Football) playing noon hoops at Bucknell University. Marlo and Eric and their sons Eric II and Ellis and daughter Teagan reside in Lewisburg.
Ryan Emery
Coach Ryan Emery is in his first year as the varsity basketball coach at the Milton Area High School. With over five years of coaching experience at Next Level Strong, he brings a strong foundation in player development, leadership, and a passion for the game.
Ben Frankel
Ben grew up as a high-end competitor, one who saw a great deal of success and experiences. He was a 2014 graduate from Lewisburg who was a student-athlete in basketball, football, and track. He was a member of the 2013 District 4 AA basketball championship. He went on to compete as a football athlete at Gettysburg College and received a Letterman for his four years of dedication to the team.
Ben began his basketball coaching career at Lewisburg Middle School as the 8th grade coach in 2020. He went a perfect 18-0 in 2023 and only had nine regular season losses since 2020. Coach Ben’s teams over the years have boasted impressive accomplishments, including the 2023 Susquehanna Shootout Runner Up, 2024 Wellsboro Tournament champions, 2024 Lewisburg Tournament champions, and 2024 Kutztown Tournament of Champions for the 18U girls. Ben has been a part of Next Leve Strong since 2023 and is very excited to have another season on its way!
Dezz Henderson
From Philadelphia, Pennsylvania., Dezz graduated with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Slippery Rock University and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Teaching Special Education. His professional roles include teaching Special Education Math at Midd-West High School and serving as the Head Coach for the Boys’ Basketball team at Midd-West. Dezz’s family consists of his wife, Morgan, and their two children, Kasan and Remi.
Jaylan Jones
Growing up in Muncy, PA, Jaylan developed a deep love for sports, with basketball standing out as her true passion. As a teenager, she spent countless hours playing AAU and pickup games at local outdoor courts, alongside her school basketball team at Muncy High School. After graduating in 2012, Jaylan went on to Penn State University, where she played on the club basketball team for two years and earned her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology in 2016. It was at Penn State, tutoring varsity athletes, that she first discovered her passion for teaching. After graduation, she pursued her physician assistant studies at Lock Haven University, earning her degree in 2018. Since then, she has been working as a physician assistant in orthopedic surgery. In 2019-2020, she had the opportunity to connect with Coach Fedorjaka at a clinic Jaylan’s cousins attended at the Miller Center. Her cousin brought Jaylan along to help coach at the clinic, and she later was brought on to coach AAU. Now, she is happy and fortunate to combine her love for basketball and teaching through working with youth in Next Level Strong’s incredible programs.
Justin Keiser
Justin has been a long-time coach of basketball, as he has four years of AAU coaching, three years of coaching JV at Lewisburg, and four years of coaching Selinsgrove’s varsity team. He also has experience as a PIAA basketball official. He is excited to continue this journey as one of our coaching team members.
JT Marnon
J.T. has been connected with Next Level Strong for almost ten years. With nearly 20 years of experience coaching basketball, Marnon joined Lycoming College as an assistant women’s basketball coach in 2024.
Marnon worked as the Williamsport Area head girls’ basketball coach from 2022-24, helping the Millionaires to back-to-back district championship game appearances. In 2024, Williamsport’s varsity team secured its longest winning streak (11) and most wins (17) since 2006.
Prior to that, Marnon served as South Williamsport Area’s head varsity girls’ basketball coach, where he was recognized as the 2022 Williamsport Sun-Gazette and Mid-Penn Conference Coach of the Year. South Williamsport’s varsity team secured the most regular season wins in seven years under Marnon’s leadership in 2019, and they reached their first district championship game in nine years in 2018.
After two years helping Lock Haven University’s women’s basketball team as an undergraduate assistant, he spent three years coaching at St. John Neumann Regional High School before spending a year as the assistant boys’ coach at Montoursville Area High School. He spent two years as an assistant girls’ coach at Hughesville High School and two years with the middle school program at Williamsport before taking on the South Williamsport program.
A teacher in the Williamsport Area School District, Marnon graduated from Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science in sports administration. He received his Master of Science in education from Drexel University in 2008.
He resides in Williamsport with his wife, Natasha, and two daughters, Alyssa and Isabela.
Tom Marnon
Coach Tom Marnon brings over 40 years of coaching experience to NLS.
His coaching experience includes a background in girls and boys’ soccer, Little League and Babe Ruth Baseball and high school and AAU basketball.
Marnon is a member of the Pennsylvania Babe Ruth Hall of Fame and won numerous leagues, district and state championships as a baseball coach.
Marnon has served as an assistant coach for the girls varsity basketball teams at South Williamsport (2015-2022) and Williamsport (2022-2024). He was part of a staff that helped the Millionaires to back-to-back district championship game appearances. In 2024, Williamsport’s varsity team secured its longest winning streak (11) and most wins (17) since 2006. In the previous 7 years, Tom was instrumental in the turnaround at South Williamsport where the team secured the most regular season wins in seven years in 2019, and they reached their first district championship game in nine years in 2018 before going on to play in the district title game in 4 out of 5 seasons.
He enters his second season with Next Level Strong in the spring of 2025.
Marnon resides in Williamsport with his wife, Blanche.
Dan Morgan
Dan Morgan is a dedicated basketball coach with over four years of experience coaching at Next Level Strong, along with coaching at both the high school and middle school levels. With a passion for player development and team success, he has helped numerous young athletes grow their skills on and off the court.
Beyond coaching, Dan has been a middle school educator for 17 years, bringing the same commitment to teaching that he does to coaching. His experience in the classroom has given him a unique ability to connect with student-athletes, emphasizing discipline, teamwork, and unselfish play. Dan believes that success in basketball—and in life—comes from putting the team first, making smart decisions, and playing with passion and purpose. Through his leadership, he continues to inspire and develop the next generation of athletes.
Drew Newcomb
Drew Newcomb is a Lewisburg native, and a graduate of Bucknell University. Drew played football at Bucknell and has since translated his passion for athletics into coaching. For the past five years, he has served as a high school football coach, while also coaching basketball at the middle school level for Lewisburg. Drew’s coaching philosophy emphasizes teamwork, discipline, and player development. Outside of coaching, he works at a local bank, balancing his professional career with his commitment to developing young athletes. Drew is also supported by his wife, Marissa, who is also a coach, creating a shared passion for mentoring and shaping the next generation of athletes.
Marissa Newcomb
Marissa Newcomb has been coaching with Next Level Strong for three seasons. Additionally, Coach Marissa has coached at local schools and is currently on the coaching staff at Lewisburg Area School District. Passionate about the game, Coach Marissa emphasizes hard work and creating a positive, competitive environment for athletes to grow.
Murphy O'Brien
Coach Murphy’s love for basketball began at a young age, growing up in a basketball family. A daughter of a coach, her passion developed at a young age and led her to compete at various levels, including over a decade in the AAU circuit including with Next Level Strong under Coach Fedorjaka and with 25th Hour. Throughout high school at Selinsgrove Area, she was a dedicated athlete, as a member of both the basketball where she finished as the leader in 3 pointers made and tennis career as a 2 time first team member and a state qualifier.
Currently, Murphy is a student at Penn State University, pursuing a degree in Elementary and Early Childhood Education with a minor in Special Education. She is currently gaining tremendous coaching experience, serving as an assistant coach for the State College Area High School girls’ basketball team. Over the past 2 years, the State College team has qualified for district playoffs while compiling a 34-11 record. Her coaching journey has led her to incredible opportunities, including working at the Nike Championship Academy Camp in 2024, where she worked with elite athletes alongside highly respected coaches. Additionally, she has earned her USA Basketball Coaching License, allowing her to collaborate with nationally recognized coaches across the country. Coach Murphy is dedicated to fostering young athletes’ development on and off the court.
Patrick O'Brien
Patrick is a long-time student, and coach of the game of basketball with over 30 years of experience. Most recently, he was a coach with the Milton boys’ basketball program from 2021-2024. He also was the head coach of the girls’ varsity AAU team with 25th Hour Athlete for 2-years. This girls’ varsity team was a collection of players throughout the Susquehanna Valley. Prior to that He was the varsity assistant coach and junior varsity coach from 2019-21 with in the Selinsgrove girls’ program.
His long-standing love for the game has giving me the opportunity to maintain relationships with people with great basketball knowledge and experience. Patrick’s background also includes an invaluable three-year experience as an assistant men’s basketball coach at Susquehanna University from 1996 – 1999 under legendary head coach Frank Marcinek.
He has previously worked within the Next Level Strong program, as a coach, instructor for the basketball clinics, camps, and 3 on 3 leagues.
He has been employed as a licensed social worker with the Department of Human Services at the Selinsgrove Center for the past 14 years.
Patrick’s collaboration and training with teams of very skilled and competent professionals for three decades gives him a tremendous amount of confidence in helping basketball players’ nurture their aspiration to play this amazing game of basketball.
Dom Savidge
Coach Dominic has been coaching and playing basketball for many years, providing him with an extensive background in the sport. He was a 2020 Milton High School graduate and basketball student-athlete. After graduating, he returned to his roots and went on to coach basketball for the 9th grade team at Milton High School. He also has been the coach for Next Level Strong’s 11U and 12U AAU teams. Coach Dom enjoys being a leading presence for the athletes and continues to find ways to positively impact those around him.
Chase Shutt
Chase is a student at Bloomsburg University studying a double major in Sports Management and Psychology. He is a junior varsity basketball coach at Line Mountain High School and has experience as a former high school basketball player.
Lenny Smith
Coach Lenny Smith currently resides in the Danville Area, where his coaching talents have been on full display in reaching not only his local area, but much of the Greater Susquehanna Valley. He is now on his third year of working as a Next Level Strong AAU coach at the Lewisburg YMCA. Some of Lenny’s background includes:
- 3 years PIAA basketball official
- 35+ years coaching experience
- 2024-Presant-Currently on the Boys Varsity/JV Basketball staff at Milton Area High school
- 2002 – 2020 -18 years-Head Varsity Boys Basketball Coach (332 Wins) and head of boys basketball program at Danville Area High School
- 14 years – Teams qualified for the PIAA Boys Basketball State Playoff
- 12 years – Teams played in the District IV championship game
- 5 years – Teams won the District IV championship
- 335 team wins in 18 seasons
- 1998 – 2001-8th grade boys basketball coach Danville Area School District
- 1991-1998-7th grade boys basketball coach Danville Area School District
Brooke Williams
Brooke Williams has over 15 years of experience coaching youth sports; including softball, baseball, soccer and basketball. She thoroughly enjoys working with kids and helping to boost their self-confidence and develop a love for the game. She has been helping coach NLS for the past 3 years and thoroughly enjoys the culture it provides competitive athletes.
Brooke was a 4-year varsity starter/letter winner in both soccer and basketball at Central Mountain High School. She was the first 1,000-point scorer in CM school history and was inducted into the CM Athletic Hall of Fame in 2018. She played basketball for 4 years at Kutztown University, where she earned a degree in Business Administration. Brooke has worked for UPS for 20 years, holding numerous positions, all in Business Development.
In her spare time Brooke enjoys spending time with her husband Jeff, and two kids, Payton (14) and Jayce (10). They enjoy traveling, being outdoors, and spending time with friends and family. Through sports, Brooke believes children build a sense of community, and develop a strong work ethic, which will help them achieve success throughout their future.
Amanda Yagel
Amanda Yagel, a former player of Coach Fedorjaka’s at Bucknell University, has been coaching middle and high school girls’ basketball for nearly a decade. After several years coaching elementary and middle school girls, Coach Amanda has spent the past five years coaching at Shikellamy High School as the Assistant Varsity coach and the last two years also on the sidelines with Next Level Strong.
An accomplished high school athlete, Coach Amanda set the career scoring record at Shikellamy High School and was a four-year Varsity letter-winner in field hockey, basketball, and track and field, all while becoming the salutatorian of her class. She has spent nearly twenty years working in the mental health field and now serves as a Mental Health Professional in the Danville Area School District.
Coach Amanda enjoys spending time with her husband and three children, watching sporting events, running, and spending time outside. She has competed in numerous marathons, including the Boston Marathon, and continues to share her passion for competition with the athletes she coaches. Coach Amanda believes strongly is the power of sports to build character, foster lifelong friendships, and develop resilience. She hopes to instill her passion for basketball, striving for excellence, and the power of relationships in the athletes she coaches.