Top-ranked Quakers outlast No. 2 team
There was good reason to rank Quaker Valley No. 1 in WPIAL Class 4A at the start of the season as three starters who all averaged in double figures returned from a team that made it to the WPIAL final a year ago. But the Quakers have received a big boost from a new player, who is actually an old player.
For Ryan Stowers, it’s all about making the most of a second chance.
Stowers is a junior guard who was dismissed from the team about this time a year ago. He isn’t just back in good graces with the team. He is helping make the Quakers good again.
Stowers is averaging 20 points a game and was a big factor again Tuesday night when Quaker Valley defeated New Castle, 62-53, in front of a crowded Quaker Valley gymnasium.
It was a No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown of the early season as Quaker Valley battled second-ranked New Castle. The Section 2 win lifted Quaker Valley to 4-0 overall and 1-1 in section while New Castle fell to 4-2, 1-1.
Stowers scored 18 points, including 14 in the second half when Quaker Valley started to inch away from New Castle. Quaker Valley led at halftime by only 23-21.
“We’re just proud of where he’s come from and how he’s a part of us now,” Quaker Valley coach Mike Mastroianni said of Stowers. “We always knew he had talent. He’s a big factor for us going forward. We’re extremely happy he’s back in the fold.”
Stowers is a wiry, 6-foot-4 junior who can shoot 3-pointers, but also attack the basket when necessary. He was 8 of 15 from the field against New Castle, including 2 of 7 from 3-point range. Stowers believes he is different this season — in a variety of ways.
“This is a second chance for me, for sure,” Stowers said. “I’ve worked on improving my attitude. I’m not putting my head down when things don’t go well. I’m forgetting about the last play.”
When asked what he learned most from missing most of a season ago, Stowers said, “I learned it’s more about the team than yourself. That was my big problem last year.”
Almost all of Quaker Valley’s players can step to the perimeter and handle the ball. Senior guard Coletrane Washington is a Drexel recruit who is averaging in the upper 20s and had 24 against New Castle. Junior guard-forward Danny Conlan added 11. Senior forward Ricky Guss, star of Quaker Valley’s PIAA championship football team, played his second game. He is still feeling his way around the basketball court, but he led the team in scoring a year ago. He had four against New Castle.
Quaker Valley overcame 26 points by New Castle senior forward Marcus Hooker, an Ohio State football recruit. Guss guarded Hooker often when Quaker Valley played man-to-man defense.
“We’re still trying to figure out our continuity, with Rick not being around because of football,” Mastroianni said.
New Castle, which always has had good shooting teams under coach Ralph Blundo, came into the game shooting only 20 percent from 3-point range. In this game, the Red Hurricanes made only 21 percent (4 of 19) from 3-point range.
“We played hard, but I think Quaker Valley is good,” Blundo said. “They have three or four guys who can Quaker Valley’s Ryan Stowers scored 18 points Tuesday in the Quakers’ 62-53 victory against New Castle at Quaker Valley. put 20 on you. Stowers makes a difference for them.”