The Quaker Valley boys basketball team ended the first half of section play in a great position.
The Quakers were 5-0 and in first place in Section 4-2A, two games ahead of Central Valley (3-2) and Avonworth (3-2).
QV secured its fourth consecutive win Jan. 13 with a 75-50 decision against Central Valley to go to 11-3 overall. The Warriors dropped to 10-3 after starting out 8-0 this season.
“We played well on both ends of the floor and were really connected the entire night,” QV coach Mike Mastroianni said. “Central Valley is a very good team that is well coached and has an experienced group.”
Zach Washington, a 6-foot-2 senior guard, poured in a game-high 32 points for the Quakers while 5-10 sophomore guard Nic Cohen sank six 3-pointers and finished with 22 points.
“Zach had a big game on a big stage, and I am really happy for him,” Mastroianni said. “He attacked the basket at a high level, and Zach would be the first to tell you that his teammates provided tremendous opportunities for him.”
Cohen helped break the game open in the second quarter with some sizzling shooting from beyond the arc. He sparked the Quakers to a 32-20 halftime lead after QV held just a two-point advantage after one stanza.
“Nic had an outstanding game,” Mastroianni said. “He helped to open the game up for us in the second quarter with four consecutive 3-pointers.
“Both Nic and Zach benefited from outstanding floor games from Sam Chapman and Harrison Kerley, who helped manage Central Valley’s pressure and created scoring opportunities for us the entire game.”
Washington was averaging 16.6 ppg following the CV game. His career-high for one game is 34 points, which he attained as a sophomore against East Allegheny.
Washington racked up 23 points in the second half against Central Valley.
The Quakers outscored the visitors 43-30 after halftime.
“Regarding our performance as a team, it was one of the better games we played this year,” Washington said. “We shared the ball well and got out in transition. Also, we played well as a unit defensively.”
Cohen netted 14 first-half points versus CV. He boosted his scoring average to 17.2 ppg and was leading the team in 3-point field goals with 52.
Cohen’s career-high for one game is 29 points which he netted Dec. 30 against Memphis University School at the KSA Tournament in Florida.
“We won (against CV) because we played together,” he said. “Everyone was touching the ball and it was moving well, so we got great shots. We also were connected on defense.”
QV, CV and Avonworth were the top three teams in 2-4A at the end of the first half of league play, followed by Hopewell (2-3), Ambridge (1-4) and Beaver (1-4).
The Quakers averaged 66.2 ppg as a team in their first five section games while limiting opponents to just 39.2 ppg.
“We will look to build on our strong first half and continue to prepare appropriately for each team,” Mastroianni said. “Our section is extremely competitive and teams will be ready.”
Cohen is looking for similar results for his team in the second half its section schedule.
“I hope we can stay connected as a team, having the same results in the second half of section play as we did in the first half of it,” he said.
Washington believes a section championship is within grasp as long as the Quakers continue to “compete at a high level.”