E.O. Smith girls basketball coach Mary Roickle has retired to spend more time with her family, she said Monday.

Under Roickle, E.O. Smith won its first state championship in 2023 , beating top-seeded Pomperaug 58-46 for the Class L title at Mohegan Sun Arena . Her record, over 12 seasons, was 209-76. The Panthers also won three CCC conference championships during her tenure.

“It was a great run,” Roickle said. “I absolutely loved it, never knowing I would stay this long. It was time for family first reasons.”

Roickle, 72, said she and her spouse Muffy have always put travel off due to basketball obligations and now they are able to do that.

“It came down to where’s my heart and my heart is family first,” she said. “I’ve always called this job ‘full-time part-time.’ You put in so mu

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