A-K Valley athletes of the week: Apollo-Ridge’s Madison Hughley, Burrell’s Ryan Wass

By: Ted Sarneso
Saturday, February 7, 2026 | 2:04 PM

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Madison Hughley

School: Apollo-Ridge

Class: Sophomore

Sport: Basketball

Claim to fame: Hughley scored 26 points to lead the Vikings (12-10, 6-4) to a 59-46 Section 4-2A win over Frazier on Monday night. She then scored 17 points in a 40-36 win against Riverview on Wednesday and 21 in a victory over The Ellis School on Thursday.

Was 26 points the most you’ve scored in a game?

Yeah, that’s my all-time high.

Did you have a sense that you would score that many points going into the game?

I went into that game thinking I was locked in and ready to score. At about the third quarter I thought I was going to hit my goal. I hit 20 points and kept going from there.

Then you scored 17 points and added another 21 to close out the week. Is that the most you’ve had in a three-game stretch and is that as consistent as you’ve been?

One hundred percent. That was the first time that I hit 20 points and have been getting the higher numbers.

Was there a part of your game that you wanted to work on coming into the season?

I came into this season looking at my past stats and turnovers were a big thing for me. Last year, I had about 90 going on to 100 and I felt like that limited me in a way. I had to push myself, work on my ball-handling and passing. I think I’m at 40 right now, so I’ve grown a lot there. I also looked at my foul shots because that’s a crucial part of the game.

Your team ended the regular season on a three-game win streak. What does that do for the collective confidence heading into the playoffs?

Our confidence was high. We knew we had to get these three wins and knock them down in order to get a good ranking in the playoffs. I feel like we’re going into the playoffs strong and with high hopes, ready for whomever we might play.

Earlier in the year, you guys went on a seven-game win streak. What was a crucial element that facilitated that streak?

Knowing our team, how we play and our energy. Our defense is very strong and that’s the most important part of our game because without defense, no one really goes anywhere.

Have you noticed any similarities in that streak and the one you’re currently on?

Before losing the game before this streak, we had some serious team talks about what we wanted as a group. It’s those talks that push us to work together to get these wins.

You opened the season 2-8. What did the group learn through that tough stretch?

Communicating better. It was a rough stretch for us. Bad communication, bad passes. We were just getting to learn how to play with each other and what worked best for us. After a couple losses and feeling the pain of those losses, we found out what we needed to work on and started working together.

Last year the team went into the playoffs finishing third in the section, but you finished tied for second this year. Does that finish make any difference in your eyes?

It does because it makes us feel better about ourselves and gives us an understanding that OK, we’re here at this point in the season, other teams are here and we can fight to get to a spot. Last year we had a play-in game and knowing there’s a possibility we might not have that is a good feeling.

Are you hoping to get a better seed than the 16 seed you were last year?

Even with that 16 seed, we fought pretty hard, played a decent game. I feel like we can play with anyone and it will be a good matchup wherever we go.

What were some highlights for you throughout the season?

A major highlight this season has been noticing how much better my shot has gotten. It’s just a thing with how I shoot. I wasn’t knocking down the shots last year that I am this year, so it was a confidence thing. I feel like it’s helping the team.

What were your individual goals at the start of the year?

I told myself to be that person, that leader for my team. If we go on a losing streak, I want to be that person to rise up and be the shoulder they can lean on, help everyone have more energy. I want to be that person for my team.

What do you think is the biggest step one needs to take going from their freshman year into their sophomore year?

Getting out of that, oh she’s a freshman this or that and becoming your own person. Getting out of that excuse for your mistakes and learning from it.

What has playing sports taught you?

It taught me how to toughen up. Before I played any sports, I used to be a little baby. If I got hit, I would cry to my mom. But now, I’ve learned to take that contact and handle it myself.

Which opponent do you look forward to playing against the most?

Jeannette’s Navarah Smith. She’s an amazing player, very talented. Every game we’ve played against her she’s been tough and is their main scorer. She’s very good on defense. I love the way she plays and is a great competitor.

Do you play any other sports at school?

I play volleyball.

Favorite subject in school?

Science. I don’t know, something about the mitochondria speaks to me.

What are some of your favorite hobbies other than basketball?

I love to bake. My family saying they want a sweet treat, I’m like, I can whip something up for you, just so they have something to snack on around the house.

Who’s your pick to win the Super Bowl?

The Seahawks.

Ryan Wass

School: Burrell

Class: Senior

Sport: Basketball

Claim to fame: Wass fueled a 55-41 Section 1-4A win over Valley on Wednesday night. He sank nine 3-pointers and finished with a career-high 27 points. His performance helped guide the Bucs (10-12, 6-6) to a WPIAL playoff berth. He also tallied 19 points in a 60-46 section win over Freeport on Jan. 30.

You guys closed the regular season with two huge section victories. How will you keep the momentum going in the playoffs?

Look to keep playing our game. It’s what’s got us this far. When we play our game, we’re a tough team to beat. Our identity is defense. We hold teams to a low amount of points, which helps us win games.

The team’s offensive strength comes behind the 3-point line, but sometimes that can lead to relying too much on that ability. Are you worried should you guys go cold shooting 3s?

We’re confident in our defense, work on it all the time and show a mix of defensive sets throughout the games to keep opponents on their toes. We rely on that more than anything. If we’re hitting shots, that’s great; if not we pick up our defense.

What was your reaction to posting a career-high in points with 27?

It’s crazy to think about, especially on senior night. It’s just a surreal feeling to do that for my last ever home game.

Was that the most 3-pointers you ever made in game as well?

For sure. I don’t even remember the last time I got that many off in a game.

How early in the game did you have a sense that you were really feeling it, were in a rhythm?

Honestly, I felt in in warm-ups. I was hitting everything and I don’t do that often. During the game, I hit my second shot with a hand in my face and once it went in, everything felt so good after that.

Usually, it’s the opposite right? You hit everything in warm-ups but have an off night or miss everything and go off for a career night.

That’s what it was like in our game against Freeport. I wasn’t hitting anything in warm-ups, but went out there and had confidence in my shot.

How much did clinching a playoff spot add to how you were feeling after that performance?

It felt great. After being absent from the playoffs last year, our goal was to get back and now the goal is to try and make a run.

How does it feel being back in the playoffs after missing the postseason last year?

It’s a different feeling because my sophomore year, I didn’t really get to play in the playoffs, as did this entire senior class. So getting the chance to experience a game, and hopefully more than one is a great feeling and we’re excited at the opportunity.

It was an up and down month for the team from Dec. 29 to Jan. 30. You played 10 games and went on a five-game winning streak followed by a four-game losing streak. What were the emotions like in the locker room during both stretches?

Obviously, winning was great. We wanted to ride it out as long as we could, but unfortunately, we had that losing streak. But after every loss we got back in the gym knowing we had to get better because we knew other teams were trying to improve as well. That’s why we thought we were losing in the locker room. We felt we weren’t improving as quickly as other teams were.

What did you focus on to help get you out of that funk?

We focused on switching up defenses and pressing more. Going back and looking at the film from the Valley game, we noticed the other team was forcing more turnovers and it helped to spur our offense, people were starting to really click when we got after it.

What lessons did you guys take away from that stretch?

Perseverance. Going back to the Highlands game at their place, they went on a run and we were in the huddle and none of us were worried. We had each other’s backs, and that’s all we have to do and we can compete with anybody.

Is there an opponent you look forward to playing against the most?

Not really. We think we can play with anybody that gets put against us. We just have to wait and see who we get matched up with.

Do you play any other sports at school?

Baseball. I play shortstop, third base and pitch a little bit.

Which position do you like best?

I played short last year and I think I’m transitioning to third base this year, which is fine. I like third base a little more.

Favorite hobbies outside of sports?

I like to bowl a lot. I bowl three times a week, sometimes even on game days. I think my highest score was a 267. It’s fun and I like to hang out with my friends as much as I can because, being a senior, I don’t know how much longer I have with that.

Favorite pre-game meal?

My mom makes what she calls million-dollar spaghetti. It’s pasta with Alfredo sauce, marinara sauce and meat. Have that before pretty much every game.

I’ve never heard of people mixing those sauces together before.

It was weird to me the first time as well, but I like it.

Do you have a favorite subject in school?

I’m going to school to be a math teacher, so I do enjoy math.

Do you have a school selected yet?

Penn West California.

Who’s your pick to win the Super Bowl?

The Patriots. I don’t really watch a lot of football, but all my friends are picking the Seahawks, so I’m going to be different.

Tags: Apollo-Ridge, Burrell