Everything comes together for Quaker Valley boys en route to WPIAL title game

By: Ray Fisher
Sunday, March 1, 2026 | 11:01 AM

Quaker Valley and Knoch — the No. 1 and No. 3 seeds in Class 4A basketball — were set to clash Feb. 26 in the WPIAL boys championship game.

“Knoch is an outstanding team,” QV coach Mike Mastroianni said. “They are an experienced and well-coached team and came into the season as one of the top 4A schools in the state.”

Quaker Valley advanced to the district finals for the second time in four years. The Quakers defeated Montour, 61-52, in the 2022 championship game on their way to a spectacular 27-1 record and PIAA runner-up finish.

This time around, QV was on a roll heading into the WPIAL finals at Petersen Events Center, taking a 20-3 record and 13-game winning streak into its matchup with Knoch.

“It’s a very dedicated, unselfish group,” said Mastroianni, who surpassed 600 career wins earlier this season. “We have had a number of injuries over the last few years, so we never had everyone together until the fall. We were able to establish our style of play and roles and then continue to grow.”

After capturing first place in Section 2 at 10-0, the Quakers received a first-round bye from the WPIAL committee then defeated No. 8 Belle Vernon, 72-41, and No. 13 Deer Lakes, 44-42.

The Quakers displayed a balanced offense all season, averaging 62.2 ppg, along with hard-nosed defensive play; they allowed just 45.8 ppg.

A trio of backcourt players — 6-foot-2 senior Zach Washington (17.5 ppg), 5-10 sophomore Nic Cohen (16.5 ppg) and 6-3 junior Sam Chapman (14.5 ppg) — lead the team in scoring.

“I’m excited to play at the Pete,” Washington said prior to the title game, “and I know we will be prepared to compete at the highest level.”

Cohen chimed in with similar sentiments.

“I’m really excited to play at Petersen,” he said. “We earned it, and it will definitely be a fun and rewarding experience.”

Washington, Cohen and Chapman have been augmented on both ends of the floor by Kolton Johnson, a 6-2 junior forward, and Harrison Kerley, a 5-8 sophomore guard.

Kerley was juiced up to be playing in the WPIAL championship game.

“It’s a great feeling,” he said. “All the work we put in individually for the past few years, coming back from injuries last year, and working throughout the fall and early winter to get here; seeing the work have real results feels amazing.

“We’re not done yet, though. We know getting there isn’t all we came to do. Getting to play in such a competitive environment will be super fun. Getting the win together with my teammates is our top priority.”

Johnson and Chapman, like all their teammates, were thrilled to be able to play at Pitt’s arena.

“Advancing to the finals at the Pete is incredible,” Johnson said. “All those countless hours of hard work when no one’s watching are paying off. Playing at the Pete is amazing, but if we don’t get that win, we’ll be disappointed.”

Chapman added, “It’s a blessing to have this opportunity. I’m extremely excited to be able to play in this game with my teammates.”

Two of QV’s leading reserves have been 6-4 sophomore forward Connor Dwyer and 6-2 senior forward Atticus Barr.

Knoch and North Catholic tied for first in Section 1 with 11-1 records. After losing two of its first three games, Knoch won 14 in a row before suffering two late-season defeats.

The Knights socked their three playoff opponents — No. 14 East Allegheny, No. 6 Central Valley and No. 2 North Catholic — by 56-21, 57-24 and 70-46 scores to go to 21-4 on the season.

Each member of Knoch’s starting five is 6-foot or taller and is spearheaded by 6-1 senior guard Teegan Finucan, who set a school record in career points with 1,476 in his team’s playoff win over North Catholic. Finucan also broke the Knights’ record for career 3-pointers earlier this season.

All five starters finished in double figures against North Catholic: 6-1 senior G/F Vinnie DeFelice, with 17 points, Finucan (15), 6-7 senior G/F Derek Lang (15), 6-1 junior guard Roman DeFelice (13) and 6-5 junior forward Liam Avon (10).

The Knights average 57.9 ppg and are well-versed in the 2-3 zone defense, holding opponents to 40.3 ppg — the lowest average in 4A and one of the stingiest in the WPIAL.

Note: The WPIAL Class 4A final at Petersen Events Center took place after this week’s Sewickley Herald was printed.

Tags: Quaker Valley