Maryvale hires former Sun reporter Kyle Andrews to lead girls basketball program
Andrews replaces Telia Marks as Lions prepare to move back into the B Conference
By MICHAEL HOWES from The Baltimore Sun
When Kyle Andrews first started working in sports, he did not expect his path to lead here.
At first, he thought he might become an athletic trainer. Then he became a sportswriter, covering high school athletes in Baltimore and later Penn State athletics in State College, Pennsylvania. Then came teaching, first as a career pivot and later as something that felt more natural than he expected.
Through each stop, though, Andrews kept circling back to the same place: gyms, practices, players and the process of helping young athletes grow.
Now, Andrews is taking over Maryvale Prep’s girls basketball program, replacing Telia Marks after the Lions reel off an Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland C Conference championship, its first title in program history.
“For me, it made sense,” Andrews said. “There were great people there. There were a lot of great athletes that have come through that high school, and just in terms of the type of support that you can get, I think that’s awesome.”
Maryvale athletic director Kimberly Battaglia said Andrews’ varied background was part of what made him appealing. Andrews covered high school sports for The Baltimore Sun from 2019 to 2021, then covered Penn State athletics for the Centre Daily Times. He became an English teacher with Baltimore County Public Schools in 2024 and has coached with Central PA Lions, Franklin High’s junior varsity program and Baltimore Unity.
“Andrews’ background played a key role because he understands how to cultivate a positive culture and successful program,” Battaglia said.
Andrews inherits a transitioning program, but not one starting over. Maryvale is coming off its breakthrough championship season and is preparing to move back into the IAAM B Conference.
“We were looking for a coach that understands our current roster and will help them grow as not only basketball players, but also young successful women,” Battaglia said.
Andrews said Maryvale’s reputation was familiar to him long before the job opened. He remembered the program’s history, the athletes who had come through the school and the broader talent base across the Baltimore area. He also knew Battaglia through a previous coaching connection with her husband at Concordia Prep: Joe Battaglia, head football coach. There, he was an assistant offensive line coach during the 2024 season.
The opportunity appealed to him for another reason, too.
“I really did miss coaching girls basketball,” Andrews said.
Andrews first coached girls basketball with Central PA Lions while living in Pennsylvania. He worked with boys and girls teams, but said much of his time came with the girls program under T.J. Anderson, whom he credits with shaping his approach. He admired the structure, accountability and creativity of the girls game, describing it as a version of basketball that rewards execution and problem-solving.
Andrews also sees the Baltimore area as one of the strongest regions in the country for girls and women’s basketball.
“I think, pound for pound, [we have] probably the top talent in the country when it comes to women’s and girls basketball in this area,” Andrews said.
His practices, Andrews said, will borrow from both coaching and teaching. He described a structure built around instruction, guided work and eventually handing more ownership to the players.
“I want to empower them to take over things,” Andrews said. “It’s very high energy, very celebratory in terms of celebrating their wins and being their biggest cheerleader.”
Battaglia said Andrews’ AAU experience and time at Franklin and Baltimore Unity should help Maryvale continue building its program and community. The expectation, she said, is continued success in his first season and beyond.
Andrews understands the standard he is stepping into. He wants Maryvale to be competitive, respected and positioned to win. But he also said the program’s progress will depend on daily habits, not only end-of-season goals.
“You only can take it day by day,” Andrews said. “Every day presents something new.”
