Quaker Valley basketball took a break from Western Pennsylvania’s wintry weather during December’s holiday season.
The Quakers enjoyed a sunny disposition both individually and as teammates, traveling to Florida for a brief trip that had a universal appeal for all involved.
The two QV teams flew to Orlando to participate in the KSA Holiday Tournament on Dec. 29-31 at the Gaylord Palms Convention Center.
Both squads won their first game then lost the next two.
“It was a great trip on many fronts,” said Ken Johns, coach of QV’s girls team. “Our hope with a trip like that is to help the team bond even more, play some competitive basketball and have fun. We did all of that. I hope and think it is an experience that the team will remember and talk about at reunions for a long time.”
The girls team left town Dec. 28 and returned home Jan. 1. The Quakers defeated North Buncombe (N.C.) before losing to opposing squads from New York and Kentucky.
“I am really proud of how we competed against some very good competition from North Carolina, New York and Kentucky,” Johns said. “All of those teams were very well balanced, have multiple future college players and were well-coached. Our competitiveness in every game was great.
“So far, we’ve carried that momentum, particularly on defense, back from Florida and into our section games. That’s been great to see.”
The Quaker Valley girls basketball team and boosters group started planning for the trip almost a year ago. The boys team jumped on board about eight months ago.
Both groups enjoyed the experience wholeheartedly and will retain long-lasting memories.
QV girls basketball boosters Rachel Watson and Lisa Floro were instrumental in the planning process for the girls excursion.
“This trip would not have been possible without the support and awareness created by the Sewickley community,” Watson said. “The Sewickley community responded each time our girls asked for your help: team sponsorships, online raffles, our outdoor movie night, car wash, bake sale, local restaurant fundraisers, meet the team night. Each of these events was very successful because of the generosity displayed by local businesses and Sewickley residents.
“For our student-athletes, this experience was about far more than basketball. It was about representing our school, building lifelong friendships, learning independence and seeing firsthand how a supportive hometown can rally behind young people who are working hard and dreaming big. Traveling together strengthened our bond as a team and created memories that will stay with these players long after their final season ends.”
The athletes on both teams concurred.
Mia Floro, a 5-foot-7 guard/forward, is a senior captain on the girls squad.
“I think the trip was not only really fun and a chance for the team to grown closer, but also an opportunity to challenge ourselves by facing good competition outside of Pittsburgh,” Floro said. “I believe we played well during our games there.
“My favorite part was the fact we got to meet new people from teams across the country. Everyone was super friendly, and everyone got along really well during our free time. I enjoyed the team bonding we did; we all grew really close and got to see new sides of each other off the court.”
Anna Campbell also is a 5-7 junior and a backcourt player for the Quakers.
“I thought we played really well in Florida,” she said, “and it was an amazing opportunity to play strong competition outside of our usual environment. It definitely made us better, and I’m excited to see how it translates to our performance the rest of the season.
“Besides the basketball, my favorite part of the trip was going to Universal Studios. It was a great way of relaxing and enjoying our time together after games. It also definitely helped to bring us closer as a team and make the trip even more enjoyable. It was an amazing experience and gave us confidence moving forward. I’m really grateful we had the opportunity to go.”
Rachel Watson has two daughters on the QV girls team. Keira is a 5-6 sophomore guard while Maggie is a 5-6 junior guard.
“I really enjoyed the trip,” Keira said. “I think it was a great way to experience playing against high-level competition that we will see in section play and playoffs. We also became a lot closer as a team, which will help us on and off the court.
“I enjoyed going to Universal and riding all of the rides with my teammates. Overall, I think the trip was very memorable and will be beneficial to the rest of our season.”
Rose Cline, another 5-6 junior guard, echoed her teammates’ sentiments.
“I thought Florida really helped us grow as a team on and off the court,” Cline said. “We played really good competition, and we came together and played as a team.
“My favorite part other than the basketball was being able to hang out with my teammates and have the opportunity to do things we can’t do in Pittsburgh like go to Universal, go to the pool and meet new teams from other states.”
The QV girls were led offensively in the tournament games by 6-5 senior and Maryland recruit Mimi Thiero, who scored 33, 28 and 29 points in each of the three games.
“There were a lot of highlights. Hard not to mention Mimi doing what she does,” Johns said. “We also had others contributing in great ways offensively with Keira Watson and Rose Cline both scoring in double figures in games. Another thing that stood out to me was our defense. It was really solid, holding some high-scoring teams to some of their lowest scoring games all year.
“Anna Campbell was tremendous on defense the entire tournament, guarding some very good players and largely keeping them in check. Mia Floro also had a nice tournament and contributed to the team’s good play. We had some highlights just from spending time together as a team, too. Too many stories to tell.”
QV’s veteran floor boss was most appreciative of the organizational work turned in by the boosters group.
“Just one more thing to add and that is that the booster club, led by president Rachel Watson, did so much work to make this happen for the team,” Johns said. “This is something we started discussing at the end of last season, and the work to raise the funds by Rachel, all of the parents and the community was fantastic.
“They spent a lot of time doing fundraising, and the community really supported us. It was great to see and everyone that contributed should know that it was a wonderful trip and experience for the players and all of the time, effort and financial support is greatly appreciated.”
Turning to the Quaker Valley boys team’s tournament performance, the Quakers edged Western Branch (Va.) in their first game of the tournament then dropped decisions to opponents from Tennessee and Kentucky.
QV’s boys basketball boosters president is Katy Chapman, the mastermind behind the planning process for the boys trip.
“We started brainstorming the idea of going to Florida last season but truly started fundraising and reaching out to KSA’s tournament directors in May,” Chapman said. “The trip involved a lot of planning and coordination, but it was all worth it — it was a great experience. Everything was very well organized, which made the trip run smoothly.
“This trip provided a unique opportunity for the team to bond in a different environment. Our players rarely get to compete outside of our region, so it was great for them to face teams from other areas; it challenged them in new ways. It was fun for everyone who attended.”
The QV contingent stayed at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Kissimmee, and the two teams were able to root for each other at tournament games.
“One of the highlights of the trip was the opportunity to attend with our girls team,” Chapman said. “The two teams were able to support one another. The level of competition was appropriate, and our players learned a lot by going up against teams they wouldn’t typically face during the regular season. That kind of exposure is invaluable for growth, both on and off the court. And when not playing, the boys had some time to go to Universal Studios, which was great.
“I’d like to thank everyone who helped make this trip possible, especially the parents, coaches and sponsors. The players made memories that will last a lifetime.”
Chapman’s son Sam is a 6-3 junior guard on the boys squad.
“The trip to Florida was an incredible experience,” he said. “We got to experience some really good competition from different areas of the country. I think that will help us grow and get better for the rest of the year.
“Aside from basketball, I think spending time with my teammates and being able to attend Universal with them was my favorite part of the trip. Just being able to hang out with them was awesome.”
The word “great” came up in the conversation with Zach Washington in his discussion of the trip.
“I’m very grateful for the boosters, parents and coaches for making the Florida trip possible. I had a great time,” said Washington, a 6-2 senior guard. “My favorite part of the trip besides the basketball was going to Universal and riding roller coasters with my teammates.”
Harrison Kerley, a 5-8 sophomore backcourt player, viewed the Quakers’ time in Orlando as a learning experience for the players.
“I think our trip taught us a lot about our team and what we need to improve on,” Kerley said, “and playing teams outside of the WPIAL from across the country helped a lot.
“My favorite part (besides the games) was just the time with my teammates. Going to Universal Studios was great, but also just the time in the hotel in between games was super fun.”
Nic Cohen, a 5-10 sophomore guard, appreciated his time in the Sunshine State.
“Even though the games didn’t (all) end how we wanted, it was a great opportunity to get challenged by new competition,” Cohen said. “The best part of the trip other than the basketball was being with my team, specifically at Universal. I always love being with my teammates, and all the rides were crazy.
“We’re all grateful to have gone on that trip.”