The Mars girls basketball team might have a different look next season - one that might not have Dana Petruska on the bench.

Petruska, who has coached the Planets the past 19 seasons, was told last Wednesday the position would be opened.

"The reason given was it was time for a change," said Petruska, who declined to identify who told her of the move.

"I'm re-applying for the position, but I'm shocked, totally blindsided by the decision," she added.

Petruska, who has a 268-186 record at Mars, guided the team to the WPIAL playoffs the past nine seasons and three trips to the PIAA playoffs.

In the past four seasons, the Planets went 78-29, highlighted by a 23-5 record in 2003-04, when Mars won its first section title under Petruska and reached the WPIAL Class AAA championship.

Mars lost to North Catholic 68-40 in that final, then lost to Johnstown 60-41 in the first round of the PIAA playoffs.

"Dana's been an effective coach," said Chris Marshall, whose daughter, Abby, was a sophomore on the team last season.

"I don't know of any coach who's gone 78-29 the past four years and has been let go. From the standpoint of success, she's been a great coach. She's worked with the kids from the third grade up through high school," Marshall added.

Petruska came to Mars with no prior varsity basketball coaching experience. She had been the Pine-Richland junior high girls basketball coach as well as the Rams' varsity softball coach.

In her first season (1986-87), the Planets went 8-14, but rebounded with a 16-3 record the following season.

Petruska was named Butler Eagle Girls Coach of the Year for the 1997-98 season, when Mars finished with a 15-7 mark.

"Basically, the timing of the whole situation doesn't make sense," said Marshall. "It's several months after the season and she just put together the spring league.

"Why it happened now, they're not saying. We can only conjecture and wait and see.

"I may not always have agreed with every decision (Petruska) made, but I support her as a coach," Marshall added.

Petruska's 19 consecutive years at Mars was the third most by area basketball coaches behind Grove City girls coach Roger Flynn (26 years) and Knoch boys coach Les Shoop (23).

Whoever assumes the reins at Mars will find a slew of talent remaining as the Planets will return all but one player from last year's team.

Taryn Adamski, who will play at Division I St. Francis (Pa.) College, was the lone senior from last year's squad.

Mars athletic director Scott Heinauer could not be reached for comment.