Two-time champ Deer Lakes shows its playoff experience in beating Quaker Valley

By: Chris Harlan
Thursday, February 13, 2025 | 12:01 AM

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Deer Lakes is still unbeaten in the WPIAL playoffs under coach Albie Fletcher, a remarkable three-year streak that added another win Friday night.

The Lancers’ postseason poise was evident in this one.

Seventh-seeded Deer Lakes upped its defensive intensity and scored 21 consecutive points in a decisive run that spanned halftime as the Lancers defeated No. 10 Quaker Valley, 83-58, in the first round of the WPIAL Class 4A playoffs.

The Quakers were held scoreless for 8 minutes.

Deer Lakes pounced, turning a 17-14 lead with 5:40 remaining in the second quarter into a 38-14 advantage with 5:55 left in the third.

“Half the time they were shaking their heads like, ‘What’s going on?’ ” Deer Lakes senior Nathaniel Moore said. “Coach did a good job of changing out the defense. They couldn’t score off it. That’s how we went on that big run.”

Deer Lakes (17-5) visits section foe No. 2 North Catholic (17-5) in the quarterfinals Wednesday. North Catholic won both regular-season matchups.

Moore scored a game-high 27 points, with 23 of them coming in the final two quarters. Senior J.T. McCue added 14 points for Deer Lakes, and junior Collin Rodgers had 11. The matchup drew a crowd to the Lancers’ gym.

“We’ve had big playoff runs the last two years,” said Moore, a two-year starter. “I think we’re just used to the crowd and the atmosphere.”

That postseason experience was a clear advantage for Deer Lakes. The WPIAL playoff win was the ninth in a row for the Lancers, who won consecutive Class 3A titles the past two seasons.

“I think it showed the whole game,” said Quaker Valley coach Mike Mastroianni, who had two freshmen and two sophomores among his top six rotation.

“What showed was their experience and their understanding of how to win. They’ve tasted winning for the last three or four years. You could see it in every play.”

Deer Lakes forced seven turnovers in the second quarter to spark its 21-0 run. Quaker Valley once failed to cross midcourt in 10 seconds, while another turnover was a 5-second call on an inbounds play.

“Those were the things I was really proud of,” Fletcher said. “I thought once we dialed some stuff up, the guys executed it and we played some really good team defense. We were in and out of a lot of different things. I challenge them.”

Sophomore Sam Chapman led Quaker Valley (15-8) with 14 points, and freshman Nic Cohen had 11.

The Quakers shot 26% from the field in the second and third quarters combined. Deer Lakes finished the second quarter on a 14-0 run to lead 31-14 at half.

“Playing a number of young guys is good experience, but you’re still getting your fight on and hoping to show better, obviously,” Mastroianni said.

After Deer Lakes built a 24-point lead, Quaker Valley rallied late in the third to cut the deficit to 15. A 3-pointer by Cohen narrowed the margin to 48-33 with 1:25 left in the third.

Deer Lakes responded with a quick 7-2 run, including a steal and layup by Moore. The Lancers limited Quaker Valley’s momentum, led 55-37 after three quarters and won the fourth by seven points.

Fletcher said his team’s experience showed in those third-quarter momentum swings.

“When they started making that run, (we knew) to do what we’ve got to do,” Fletcher said. “Slow it down, just keep wearing on them and have that fourth quarter.”

Chris Harlan is a TribLive reporter covering sports. He joined the Trib in 2009 after seven years as a reporter at the Beaver County Times. He can be reached at charlan@triblive.com.

Tags: Deer Lakes, Quaker Valley