Maura Muensterman was a star at Mater Dei. She's now returned to the program as a coach.

EVANSVILLE — Maura Muensterman felt in some ways nothing had changed.

It had been nearly 10 years since she walked the halls of Mater Dei High School. She was a student then and a basketball star, one of the most successful players in city history. That comfort the school provided returned every day this winter as she fell into the same routine – arrive at 2:30 p.m. for basketball practice and greet familiar faces.

One key difference now? She's a coach.

“I stepped into a time machine when I started coming back here every single day,” says Muensterman.

Perhaps it is fitting considering how much this program helped mold her a decade ago.

Muensterman graduated from Mater Dei in 2014 with a list of accomplishments few could match. Her 2,318 career points still rank first in City and Southern Indiana Athletic Conference history. There were also three trips to the state championship – the Wildcats won in 2012 and 2013 – before a long but successful college career culminating at Belmont.

Those memories still ring throughout the Alles Athletic Center with banners and photos honoring those teams. Her goals are now focused on the future. This past week completed her first on the sideline as the Mater Dei girls basketball junior varsity coach.

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“I really enjoy doing this,” Muensterman said. “I’ve been on the other side and been them. I experienced a lot of highs and lows (in my career). It gives me a lot of perspective and a lot of insight into how they might be feeling.”

The idea of coaching at any level had ruminated in her mind. Muensterman recalls a conversation with Belmont coach Bart Brooks after graduating in which he told her she “would be really good on a staff.” She didn't feel ready yet.

Her involvement with the sport never stopped. Muensterman trained basketball players in Indianapolis before moving back to Evansville. She was also asked to help at the AAU level last summer. It finally felt like the right move when this opportunity came about.

It’s not just her knowledge of the game that made her a strong addition to the Mater Dei staff. It was her overall career journey. Yes, there were highs with two state championships and two NCAA Tournament games with the Bruins. There were also multiple injuries – one caused to her miss all but three games her sophomore season – and a transfer. She has the experience to back up words.

“She definitely helps with the tradition and holding these girls to a higher standard,” said Mater Dei coach Lucious Wagner. “She’s a great model for players at Mater Dei who want to reach that next level. She really loves this school and its tradition. She wants to help build it.”

Wagner, who was hired by Mater Dei in June, was a major factor in her agreeing to the job. He trained Muensterman for the last 10 years of her career. She also works in marketing for Black Heart Basketball, a local basketball skills and athletic training facility owned by Wagner.

Another reason is her father. Terry Muensterman was involved with the program for years but took a break when his daughter played in college. He got the itch again and now sits one seat over during games. He jokes that every once in a while his daughter tells him to be quiet.

"This is different," Terry said of his daughter's start to coaching. "Of course, you don't make any money, but you're here. An intelligent player who understood the game and understood roles. I knew she could if she wanted to. We'll go home at night and talk about the games. It's been good probably for both of us."

Muensterman has enjoyed being around the players every day. The JV team lost only one game this season. She chuckles when admitting some had no idea of the totality of her past success. They walked into practice one day after looking at the plaques in the hallway. They asked, ‘How did you do that?

“A lot of hours in the gym,” said Muensterman. “I’m hoping (the work ethic side) rubs off on them a little. I felt like it’s important for them to hear from somebody like me, my dad and Lucious.”

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She quickly reminds them how good they have it now. The space taking up the auxiliary gym a decade ago was much different. A wrestling room plus a basketball gym in name only with a rubbery floor that was “somehow squishy but the hardest floor you’ve ever seen.” The Wildcats had to practice at 5 p.m. every day after the boys’ team to get access to the main gym.

“A little jealous,” Muensterman quips now of the facility.

Mater Dei hasn’t reached the same heights when Muensterman played. There was a successful run under Chad Breeden with three sectional titles and one regional. This year has been a transition as Wagner attempts to put his own twist on the program.

The Wildcats are 9-13 going into the Class 3A sectional with a first-round matchup against No. 4 Gibson Southern on Tuesday. The roster is a combination of experienced upperclassmen but also talented newcomers. Wagner is still learning a year into the job. He also points to having a staff that includes the Muenstermans plus Doug Blair, Aaron Meyer and Camilla Cobb.

“I’ve just learned the most from the other (SIAC) coaches,” said Wagner. “I see how they coach against us and some of the techniques they use. It helped with my style and philosophy, which I think will help me in the coming years for Mater Dei basketball.”

That could include Muensterman. She admittedly takes this new career step one day at a time. The idea of returning to the college level is intriguing but also a grind in terms of a schedule. Muensterman also believes in what Wagner is doing for the program.

She is happy though to say yes on a return home.

“When I’m not doing something with basketball, I miss it,” said Muensterman. “The door is not closed on the idea of taking it further, high school or college.”

Follow Courier & Press sports reporter Kyle Sokeland on X (formerly Twitter) @kylesokeland.

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: IHSAA girls basketball: Maura Muensterman returns to Mater Dei as coach