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Prepping for Preps '22-23: Unionville (Boys)

11/13/2022, 10:45am EST
By Jared Leveson

Jared Leveson (@jared_leveson)

(Ed. Note: This story is part of CoBL’s “Prepping for Preps” series, which will take a look at many of the top high school programs in the region as part of our 2022-23 season preview coverage. The complete list of schools previewed thus far can be found here.)
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“Max Out” defines Unionville’s boy’s basketball program.

Head coach Chris Cowles, a West Chester Rustin grad, created the mantra in his days as head coach at West Chester East. To “Max Out,” in his eyes, means to maximize one’s abilities by executing their job with respect, preparation, unselfishness, effort, and commitment.

“Max Out” is a guide for Cowles’ program, but he will never say it’s his program. It’s all about the team. The focus is not on championships and wins, it's about playing for one another, having fun, and instilling guiding principles that help one live a good life, on and off the court. 

Cowles took the Unionville job six years ago. And no season was more challenging than last year, where their maxing-out philosophy got tested. 


Unionville junior 6-6 forward Nick Diehl, a Tulane baseball recruit, gives the Longhorns some size inside. (Photo: Owen McCue/CoBL)

The Longhorns caught the injury bug last winter. Three broken hands, a torn meniscus, an ACL, a concussion, and COVID plagued them. Their best player, Kevin Nowoswiat (Franklin & Marshall), was lost for the season after getting injured in a late December loss to Upper Merion. 

“So, that was fun,” Cowles said. “But a lot of these young guys got experience last year.” 

Despite inexperienced players playing big minutes, the young group found their stride at the end of the year. Unionville finished with an overall 11-11 record and a 5-5 league mark. The Longhorns finished fourth out of sixth in the Ches-Mont American division. 

With those younger players returning this season, an entire offseason of preparation, and talented underclassmen, the Longhorns may surprise many as they build off the progress and lessons learned from last season. 

Cowles does not want to dwell on the past. It’s about this year and this team. 

“I still think we left something on the table from our perspective as a team,” Cowles said. “And I think everyone would admit to that.”

This team is growing more accountable and reliable toward one another each day. They trust one another but, more importantly, enjoy playing together. It was a group decision to commit themselves this offseason to become better teammates and players and take ownership of their success.

Senior leadership is always critical, and Unionville has plenty of senior players and leaders. Robbie Logan, Quinton Boyle, George Napolitano, and Chris Ash lead the charge for the Longhorns this year.

“I’m just trying to be a leader this year, as the older guy,” Logan said after a strong day at the West Chester University Big 64. “Teaching the young what to do, getting to their spots, and just talking, just trying to fill that role. 

Logan is a knockdown three-point shooter and plays with a nice pace and feel. Boyle is spending his offseason on the gridiron, playing on the interior offensive line. A transfer from Delaware during the 2020 season, Napolitano did not play varsity last year but has blossomed this offseason, and Unionville is excited about his electric speed.

Cowles’ built his program on a lack of ego, but he could not help but single out Ash.

“He’s an extension of our coaching staff,” Cowles said about his senior guard. “To a point where we give him, and we delegate to him to explain drills or explain like a small side of the game that we’re playing as a team.” 

Cowles expects the Longhorns’ battle-tested and talented junior class to make large contributions this season. It’s also a tall group: James Anderson (6-2), Ryan Brown (6-3), Charlie Kammeier (6-3), and Nick Diehl (6-6). 

Anderson made the starting five, but missed time due to a concussion last year. With all the injuries, Brown stepped in and showed an adept scoring ability. Kammeier proved he can be lethal beyond the arc as well. Unionville’s big-man, Diehl, is committed to Tulane University to play baseball. He’s a physical presence in the paint who hoards rebounds. 


There is a lot of excitement surrounding Unionville freshman James Brenner. (Photo: Owen McCue/CoBL)

However, one intriguing part about this Longhorns’ team is their underclassmen. For the first time since Cowles has run the program, underclassmen will get legitimate minutes regardless of missing players due to injury. 

Sophomore left-hander Jack Robbins played well at Philly Live this summer and has continued his growth into the fall. 

Although, everybody’s focused on 6-6 freshman James Brenner who plays his grassroots ball for Team Final. Brenner’s size, length, guard play, and defensive intensity are a few reasons for the hype, but he also has the intangibles. 

“He’s just been phenomenal,” Cowles remarked. “Not only as a player, but he’s absolutely a great teammate as well. He plays hard and we think the sky’s the limit for him.”

“I think everyone on the roster really has an opportunity to contribute to be honest. So, we are excited for that.”

Last season, Unionville missed the District 1 5A playoffs for the first time since 2018, snapping their three-year streak of at least one District 1 tournament win, including a Class 5A semifinal run in 2021. The Longhorns have not won the Ches-Mont American Division since the 2019-2020 season. 

This year’s roster and philosophy gives the Longhorns’ a good chance of finding that success again, but the upper half of the Ches-Mont American is exceptional. 

Great Valley is the league’s reigning champ. Senior guard and sharpshooter Chris Kwaidah leads a Sun Valley program that finished second in the American Division last year. West Chester Rustin finished third. 

Cowles and his squad are not concerned with any particular opponent or titles. Their focus is day-to-day, on the specific practice, or on whoever is next on the schedule. 

“Honestly, it’s a great group of players and kids and people,” Cowles said. “So, I’m just excited to get going. I don’t have a game that is ex’d on my schedule or anything like that. I’m excited for tryouts, excited to practice, excited for the scrimmages and stuff, and excited to get the season going.״ 

Cowles and his players declined to comment on tangible goals like division titles or championships. Still, their message and goal are always the same: dissolve your ego and maximize your ability. 

“We talk about that a lot and having delayed gratification and if you’re tired well, maximum effort, sprint back on defense,” Cowles said. “If you don’t feel like doing that, you gotta be unselfish and do it anyway.” 

“Lacking an ego, making that one extra pass and stuff like that. But it’s fun to play when no one cares about individual stuff.”


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