The Official Website of The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association - District IV
Four Legends Return To Coach Inaugural 'District IV Senior Shootout', Presented By Circle W Sports
By: Ed Weaver | Circle W Sports | January 30, 2026 | Photo courtesy Brett Crossley, Chris Manning
Wellsboro, PA - Some of the most respected names in District IV basketball will return to the sidelines on March 29 as the inaugural 'District IV Senior Shootout' All-Star Basketball Game tips off at Williamsport High School, presented by Circle W Sports.
The event will showcase the region’s top senior talent while celebrating the coaches, programs, and traditions that have defined District IV basketball for decades.
"This all-star game is about giving District IV seniors the spotlight they deserve," said Ed Weaver, Owner of Circle W Sports. "There is so much talent and pride in this region, and we wanted to create an event that honors that tradition while giving these athletes one last chance to compete together."
Former Loyalsock head coach Ron Insinger (North) and Hughesville's Nick Tagliaferri (South) will meet in the boys game, while Mount Carmel's Lisa Varano (South) will go head-to-head against former North Penn-Mansfield head coach Jason Dominick (North).
Insinger retired in September of 2025 after a 51-year career coaching the Lancers. He finished as Pennsylvania's all-time winngest head coach with 1,060 wins. He also won 80 games as girls' head coach, bringing his all-time wins total to 1,140. Insinger won 25 District IV championships, 31 conference championships, and was the 3A state champion in 2021. Out of his 51 seasons he only had five career losing seasons.
Tagliaferri won 184 games over his tenure with the Spartans, include four District IV championships and three conference championships. From 2006 to 2011 the Spartans qualified for the PIAA tournament with his 2009 team reaching the final four. After stepping down from the Spartans following the 2013 season, Tagliaferri returned in 2015 to coach Jersey Shore, leading them to 18 wins that season. Tagliaferri later returned to Hughesville in 2016, leading the Spartans to a trip to the state tournament in 2016 and a District IV championship in 2017.
Varano served as head coach of the Mount Carmel girls' team from 2009-2023, where she compiled a 311-66 record (.825). Varano guided the Lady Tornadoes to the 2020-21 PIAA Class 2A state championship after defeating Neshannock 54-43. In her 14 seasons at the helm, Varano won 11 District IV championships and qualified for PIAA play each year. When Varano took over mid-way through the 2009-10 season Mount Carmel was 184 games below .500. When she retired, she had the Lady Tornadoes 61 games above even. She reached the 300-win milestone in 2023 following a 45-20 victory over Loyalsock.
Dominick built the Lady Tigers into a District IV and Northern Tier League powerhouse, winning back-to-back District championships in 2015 and 2016, and reaching the PIAA "Elite 8" in 2015. During his tenure, Dominick won 139 games and produced a .688 winning percentage. His teams missed post-season play just once in his 12 seasons while reaching the state tournament four times in six years beginning in 2014.
The North and South girls' teams will tip off at 2:00 p.m. inside the Magic Dome, with the boys' game to follow. Both games will feature two 20-minute halves and 12-player rosters. Fans, families, and members of the District IV basketball community are invited to attend, with tickets available for $10 at the door on the day of the event, along with a 50/50 raffle and silent auction benefiting the event.
About Circle W Sports
Circle W Sports is a Pennsylvania-based sports information and digital media platform specializing in high-quality websites, data management, and promotional tools for schools, leagues, and sports organizations. The platform empowers athletic departments to showcase their athletes and programs with professional-grade features built to support media, coaches, and fans.
For more information about Circle W Sports, visit circlewsports.com.
About PIAA District IV
PIAA Disitrct IV is one of 12 geographical districts establised by the PIAA for the purpose of state championship competition. PIAA District IV is comprised of Bradford, Columbia, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, Sullivan, Tioga and Union counties in Pennsylvania.
For more information about PIAA District IV, visit piaad4.net.
About the Author
Ed Weaver is the founder and owner of Circle W Sports, a Pennsylvania-based digital media and technology company specializing in athletic website development.
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