Maher wraps up hall-of-fame career

IRVINGTON — In 1974, after moving to Irvington, Gina Maher was sitting in church when she was approached by a former opponent from her days as a high school basketball player at Sacred Heart of Mary in upper Manhattan. That conversation led to an opportunity for Maher to coach CYO girls’ basketball in Irvington. The following year, she was hired as the varsity girls’ basketball coach at Irvington High School (IHS).

Fifty years later, Maher has decided to retire from coaching girls’ basketball, ending one of the most decorated careers in New York State high school athletics. She finished with 814 wins — the most of any girls’ basketball coach in the history of New York State — as well as 18 Section 1 titles, six state crowns, and five Federation championships. She is a member of the New York State and Westchester County sports halls of fame.