Ringgold’s Rowland seeks to get Rams ‘back on the map’
When he was hired as the boys basketball coach at Ringgold, former Belle Vernon standout Matt Rowland had an advantage a lot of coaches don鈥檛 get, and that was he had already been working with the team.
When Eugene Wilson stepped down after one year as coach to take over at Woodland Hills, Rowland, who had served as an assistant under Wilson, was allowed to keep working with the players.
鈥淚 was officially hired at the end of June, but the nice part about being on staff already was I was able to work with them starting in May, throughout the fall and into the fall,鈥� explained Rowland. 鈥淓ven as a new head coach, I feel much better about going into this season as we were able to have a full offseason together.鈥�
With the extra time with his players, Rowland feels the team was able to get a jump on his goals.
鈥淲e are looking to put Ringgold basketball back on the map as a tough program that is going to be competitive year in and year out,鈥� said Rowland. 鈥淭he first step is to make the playoffs and continue to build off that moving forward.鈥�
When last season ended, there were only eight players on the roster and two returning starters, although Rowland said 30 kids came out this year.
Senior captain Nick Peccon, a guard, was All-Section last year and junior Jake Pehowic will be under the hoop.
鈥淣ick will be our leader again this year,鈥� Rowland said. 鈥淛ake looks to take a big step this year and should be a major force inside.鈥�
A pair of seniors, Marco DiBenedetto and Jesus Davenport, return after a year off and will start.
鈥淭he three seniors, they provide a great deal of leadership,鈥� Rowland said. 鈥淔rom the day I started open gym in May, I could count on them being there each day and pushing the underclassmen.鈥�
Junior Lorenzo Glasser is the front-runner for the fourth starting spot, and there are some young players looking to step up.
鈥淲e have quite a few underclassmen and younger guys seeing if they can fill in some roles for us this year,鈥� Rowland said. 鈥淎fter not having much participation and not having a JV team last year, we are really looking to see what these guys can do.鈥�
Rowland outlined the keys for a successful season.
鈥淲e really need our guys to buy into the team aspect and play whatever role that they are called to do,鈥� Rowland said. 鈥淚t is going to be a bit of an adjustment for everyone, but we have the talent to compete if we can get everyone on the same page.
鈥淲e have been working hard and need to compete every day.鈥�
Ringgold is in Section 1-AAAAA with Albert Gallatin, Connellsville, Laurel Highlands, Thomas Jefferson and West Mifflin.
鈥淭he section always starts with Laurel Highlands on top,鈥� Rowland said. 鈥淭hey are loaded again this year and we are looking to compete against the best, and it doesn鈥檛 get any easier after that with Thomas Jefferson, Albert Gallatin, Connellsville and West Mifflin.
鈥淚t is going to be a tough night every night.鈥�
Ringgold opens the season in the MVI Shoot-Out Classic against Clairton on Dec. 10.