WPIAL Class 4A boys final preview: Rivals Quaker Valley, New Castle set for title-game rematch

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, March 1, 2018 | 6:01 PM

Quaker Valley can remember the sting of standing on the Petersen Events Center court and watching New Castle celebrate the WPIAL Class 4A title last year.

The Quakers hope for a reversal of that situation this year when they take on the Red Hurricanes at 1 p.m. Saturday for the title.

“They are a great team. We played them twice in the regular season, and they were both close games and we came out on top,” Quaker Valley's Coletrane Washington said. “Last year, they are the reason why we don't have that trophy and those medals. I think it does add a special element to it. We're in the same spot as last year, so we have to figure what we can do differently to come out on top.”

Top-seeded Quaker Valley (23-0) solved New Castle (20-4) both times in Section 2 play. But, it knows it's in for another battle.

“It's definitely fun. I love playing those games. The first two games were extremely competitive, high-speed games,” Washington said. “They definitely have a winning tradition there, so it's not like they think they don't have a chance since we beat them twice already. We're not coming in expecting anything because we beat them twice, either. Nothing is given for that game. We're coming in with the same mindset as the other 23 games.”

The 'Canes realize they'll have to deliver their best game of the season in order to get past the Quakers.

“We knew if we saw them again we'd have to get to the championship to do it. They are head and shoulders the best team in any classification,” New Castle coach Ralph Blundo said. “We kept both games close against them. They were one-point games in the fourth quarter, but we were not able to get over the hump. They made some free throws late to seal the wins. We'll look to try to figure out a way to try to give ourselves an opportunity.”

New Castle has won its last 10 games since the second setback to Quaker Valley. The team has some momentum.

“We're actually waiting for this day. We're very excited,” New Castle's Marcus Hooker said. “We're going to be mentally and physically prepared to play this game.”

Hooker leads the team in scoring at 15.6 points per game, but the 'Canes will deploy as many as eight players on a given night.

“I think definitely limiting Hooker is the key. He is a great player and athlete. He sparks them,” Washington said. “We have to take care of the ball against them. They press a lot and they get buckets off the turnovers in the press. Taking care of the ball and not giving any second-chance points is huge. Spreading the ball around and running on them — I think we can run on any team in the WPIAL — is important. If we run like we did (against Indiana), I think we have a great chance of winning.”

Washington, a Drexel recruit, paces the Quakers at 22.5 ppg, but New Castle knows anyone on the floor can cause damage.

“What makes them difficult to play is that you have to guard everyone, and you have to help in a lot of places,” Blundo said. “Coletrane is their catalyst. He's the best player I've seen this year. He is extremely difficult to defend, so are Stowers and Conlan. Ricky Guss is the glue. Skowron has great length. They have all the tools. They don't have a weakness.”

This matchup has turned into a friendly and high-stakes rivalry for both squads.

“When I left the floor up there (on Jan. 23), I thought we'd play them again. They are well-coached and competitive. Our section is really tough. I am not surprised we're playing them, and I don't think they are surprised either,” Quaker Valley coach Mike Mastroianni. “I think the respect that we both have with the players, coaches and fans is nice. They have our respect and likewise on the other end. You have to give everything you have in those games. It'll be fun again like the other ones.”

Joe Sager is a freelance writer.

Class 4A boys

Quaker Valley vs. New Castle

1 p.m. Saturday, Petersen Events Center

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No. 1 Quaker Valley (23-0)

Coach: Mike Mastroianni

No. Player, Pos., Ht., Yr.

12 Danny Conlan, F, 6-5, Sr.

13 Ricky Guss, F, 6-3, Sr.

22 Ryan Stowers, F, 6-5, Jr.

23 Coletrane Washington, G, 6-5, Sr.

44 Alex Skowron, F, 6-8, Sr.

No. 2 New Castle (20-4)

Coach: Ralph Blundo

No. Player, Pos., Ht., Yr.

4 Carrington Smith, F, 6-1, Sr.

5 Lorenzo Gardner, G, 5-10, Sr.

14 Cahlil Dorman, F, 6-3, Sr

23 Marcus Hooker, F, 5-11, Sr.

25 Georgie Eggleston, G, 5-11 Sr.

Title-game history: New Castle beat Quaker Valley, 73-58, for last year's championship. New Castle has 11 WPIAL titles, while Quaker Valley has one.

Stat leaders: QV: Washington, 22.5 ppg; NC: Hooker, 15.6 ppg

Notable: This is the fifth WPIAL championship game appearance in Blundo's eight years as head coach. The team reached the semifinals all eight seasons. Quaker Valley swept both Section 2 meetings: 62-53 and 55-46. New Castle has won its last 10 games since the second setback to Quaker Valley. Washington is a Drexel recruit. Hooker is an Ohio State football recruit. His older brother, Malik, starred at Ohio State and plays for the Indianapolis Colts. Quaker Valley's lone WPIAL title came in 1997 against New Brighton. Quaker Valley has the top WPIAL Class 4A offense at 70.2 ppg, while New Castle has the best defense at 45.3 ppg.

Predicted winner: Quaker Valley

Tags: New Castle, Quaker Valley