ADAMS TWP — The time was right for Tony Howard.

After spending eight years as the ninth-grade boys basketball coach at Hampton HighSchool, Howard was ready to move on.

His destination became Mars HighSchool.

The Mars School Board unanimously approved Howard as the Planets' girls basketball coach Tuesday night. He takes over for Dave Sylvester, who led the Planets to a 46-11 record and two PIAA Class AAA playoff appearances in his two seasons at the helm.

"I can't even tell you what this feels like," Howard said. "It's surreal."

Howard, 34, played high school basketball at Union-Rimersburg under legendary coach Don Stemmerich.

He coached eighth-grade girls basketball in the Hampton school district before joining Joe Lafko's staff at the varsity level with the Talbots.

Howard also is an assistant softball coach at the school. Hampton is still alive in the WPIAL softball playoffs.

"He's a good man and I wish him the best of luck," Lafko said.

Howard had opportunities in the past to pursue other coaching jobs, but he said the time wasn't right then.

He has two young sons, Anthony, 3, and Jackson, 1, with his wife Kerri.

Howard, who also applied for the Oakland Catholic and Plum girls basketball openings, said he was intrigued when he saw the Mars job posted.

"I just thought it was the right time to take on a new challenge," Howard said. "Joe Lafko was my mentor and I learned a lot from him. I learned what it took to have a successful program. It was just the right time in my life."

Howard, who was one of 15 applicants for the Mars opening, said he wanted to coach girls basketball.

"There's a little more teaching in the girls game," Howard said. "My temperament and personality are a better fit."

When he gets into the Mars gym, he said he won't make any drastic changes.

"I'm not going to overhaul too much," he said. "Obviously, it's a very good program with good structure. I don't want to go in there and confuse them too much.

"My basic philosophy is to be instinctive," Howard added. "I like a motion offense and different presses. I don't have to have players to fit my system. I want my system to fit the players."

He'll have some players to work with at Mars.

The Planets, coming off a 24-4 season that included a 15-game winning streak, will have Butler Eagle first-team selection Lily Grenci returning at forward.

Grenci averaged 15.7 points and 9.5 rebounds per game as a sophomore.

But Mars lost six seniors, including starters Maggie Bulman, Megan Gibson and Haley Geyer.

Howard said he will meet with the team this week and already is in the process of scheduling two open gyms in June.

Howard will remain at Hampton as a business education teacher.

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