With experienced roster back, optimism grows for Apollo-Ridge boys

By: Michael Love
Monday, November 17, 2025 | 6:53 PM

Purchase Photo Options

The Apollo-Ridge boys basketball team has endured some lean years recently in terms of wins and losses, but coach Greg Fox sees a program on the rise with experience throughout the lineup this season.

“The summer and offseason were very productive for the players who put in the time,” said Fox, who enters his eighth season of his second stint with the Vikings. “We were in the Indiana and St. Joe’s summer leagues. We went to the Penn State Behrend team camp and had open gyms since last season. We were very happy and encouraged with what we did in the summer.

“Just like every other team during the summer, we never had our full complement of players. But some of the players were able to step up and play some bigger roles during this time, and that should pay dividends during the season.”

The Apollo-Ridge football team extended its season through to the quarterfinals of the WPIAL Class 2A playoffs Nov. 7, and several members of the team then turned their full focus to preparation for the basketball season.

The Vikings won just one section game last year after going winless in section play two seasons ago, but the team increased its win total from two to seven.

With four returning starters, several other lettermen back and some newcomers ready to make an impact, Fox said experience and depth will be key to the team’s success.

“We will have no trouble playing nine or 10 guys if we have to,” he said. “Our top eight players last season all got ‘starter’ minutes, and we plan to do the same this year with a few more players pushing for some time. Practices should be competitive because the players are competing for playing time.”

Fox views rebounding and team consistency as key factors in what his Vikings can accomplish.

The top six scorers from last year are back, led by 6-foot-6 senior forward/center Zane Beatty, who averaged 15.9 points. He also averaged 8.6 rebounds and blocked 29 shots.

Senior guard Brayden Myers checked in at 7.8 points per game and recorded a team-best 36 assists.

Junior guard Logen Schrock fronted the team with 33 steals to go along with 33 assists, and senior Kolson Ggurich finished with 35 assists and 30 steals.

Fox expects the section to be loaded again.

South Allegheny was the class of the section and all of Class 3A as the Gladiators edged Aliquippa for the WPIAL title and fell to Philadelphia West Catholic in the state title game.

Section runner-up South Park, along with fellow playoff qualifiers Shady Side Academy and Seton LaSalle, also are expected to provide a stiff challenge for Apollo-Ridge.

“The WPIAL champion has come from this section the past four years,” Fox said. “We were more competitive last season, but we need to get over the hump against them. Just like us, the teams in our section have the majority of their starters and key players back. So, when the section starts, it’s going to be a grind night in and night out.”

Apollo-Ridge kicks off its season in the Leechburg Tipoff Tournament on Nov. 28-29 with the host Blue Devils, Valley and Summit Academy. The Vikings will face Leechburg in the first round.

“This group has come a long way from two years ago,” Fox said. “They made tremendous growth and progress last season, and we are very excited for what we can do this season. These kids played a ton of minutes last year. We took some lumps at times but should see some of the benefits from it this season.”

Apollo-Ridge boys at a glance

Coach: Greg Fox (eighth year)

Last year’s record: 7-15 (1-9 Section 3-3A)

Returning starters: Zane Beatty (Sr., F/C), Brayden Myers (Sr, G), Breydon Orvosh (Sr., G/F), Kolson Grguric (Sr., G)

Others to watch: Alex Clawson (Sr., G), Nathan Fryer (Sr., G), Logen Schrock (Jr., G)

Top newcomers: Nathan Leeman (Sr., G), Jordan Mull (So., G), Noah Stewart (So., G/F)

SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent, Time

11.28, at Leechburg^, 3 p.m.

11.29, TBD^, TBD

12.2, at Geibel, 7:30 p.m.

12.5, Valley, 7:30 p.m.

12.8, Homer-Center, 7:30 p.m.

12.10, at Springdale, 7:30 p.m.

12.12, West Shamokin, 7:30 p.m.

12.15, Yough, 7:30 p.m.

12.17, at St. Joseph, 7:30 p.m.

12.19, Steel Valley*, 7:30 p.m.

12.22, at South Allegheny*, 7:30 p.m.

12.27, TBD+, TBD

12.29, TBD+, TBD

1.6, Shady Side Academy*, 7:30 p.m.

1.9, Seton LaSalle*, 7:30 p.m.

1.13, at South Park*, 7:30 p.m.

1.16, at Mt. Pleasant, 7:30 p.m.

1.23, at Steel Valley*, 7:30 p.m.

1.27, South Allegheny*, 7:30 p.m.

1.30, at Shady Side Academy*, 7:30 p.m.

2.3, at Seton LaSalle*, 7:30 p.m.

2.6, South Park*, 7:30 p.m.

*Section game

^Leechburg tip-off tournament

+Leechburg holiday tournament

Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.

Tags: Apollo-Ridge