City of Basketball Love

By Zak Wolf (@ZakWolf22)
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When Conestoga’s leading scorer Ben Robinson went down with a knee injury at the end of the third quarter Thursday night, the Pioneers needed someone to step up. 

Robinson was running the offense to that point Conestoga, but with Garnet Valley attempting a comeback Rowan Miller took on the responsibility of being the go-to option.

A Grayson Golek 3-pointer tied the game at 29 at the beginning of the fourth quarter, erasing what was once a 13-point Conestoga lead. That’s when Miller responded with a triple of his own to put Conestoga back in front, holding the lead for the rest of the game in a 39-36 Central League victory over Garnet Valley.. 

“With our best scorer going down, I felt a little bit of pressure.” Miller said. “I felt like I needed to do a little bit more for the team but we came together and pulled it out.”

Miller helped his team hang on over Garnet Valley after letting a double-digit first-half lead slip. Boosted by Miller’s outburst in the fourth quarter, the Pioneers broke a two-game skid in the Central League. With Robinson injured, Miller assumed the role of primary ball handler. 

He hit two of Conestoga’s three field goals in the fourth quarter, scoring seven of his game-high 12 in the frame as the Pioneers edged the Jaguars. 

After playing his freshman season at Malvern Prep, Miller returned to Conestoga where he played middle school with many of the players currently on the team. The sophomore explained he “didn’t like the fit” at Malvern so he decided at the end of last season he would transfer back once the school year finished. 

Miller is enjoying his return to Conestoga explaining that he feels like he can “be himself” and that he has more comfort with the Pioneers. 

“I feel like it's a better bond and it's more mutual, more genuine.” Miller said.  “I've known these kids for years now, so coming back here being with my friends, I think is way better for me.”

Once the PIAA cleared Miller to play in June, it was all business from that point forward. Miller got to play with the team during the summer calling it a “perfect fit”. 

And with his team struggling in the second half, Miller was called upon in big moments. Conestoga had been in control for the majority of the contest with Robinson setting the tone, but the Pioneers didn’t hit a field goal during the first seven minutes of the third quarter, which let Garnet Valley back within 27-24 with under a minute remaining. That’s when Robinson cut to the basket and converted a tough layup through traffic, but landed awkwardly and stayed down. 

Unable to put any weight on his leg, Robinson was helped off the floor. Conestoga head coach Sean Forcine said Robinson has been dealing with knee issues the past couple of years and it flares up sometimes. 

“Ben's a tremendous player for us. He's one of our best scorers and anytime your best score goes down, it's tough,” Forcine said. “But you know, we're not a one-dimensional team.”

“It lit a fire under us,” Miller said “We needed to win for him, and I think it pushed us to the win.”

Miller said before the fourth quarter, Forcine emphasized staying together and to try and be physical and get to the free throw line as much as possible.

With Robinson out, Forcine put the ball in the hands of his sophomore guard. Forcine explained he has confidence in Miller and the rest of his guards to handle the ball and run their motion offense, which helps his team hold onto leads late on. 

“We put the ball in his hands as a sophomore, and that's not an easy test to do, but at the same time, he's surrounded by tremendous players and tremendous leaders,” Forcine said. “So this job makes it a little bit easier.”

After falling behind early, Garnet Valley wouldn’t go away lightly. An off-night from Jake Sniras, who scored just six points and was shut out in the second half spelled trouble. But 11 points from Golek, eight from Jackson Krautzel kept the Jaguars in the game. 

Quinn O’Hara also hit three 3-pointers for nine points, including a deep one with 1:22 remaining to make it 37-36. After Miller split two free throws, Garnet Valley had a chance to tie or take the lead, but Sniras misfired on a triple with less than 10 seconds remaining. 

Sniras had one last chance to tie the game on a halfcourt heave at the buzzer, but it missed the mark and Conestoga survived. 

“Our goals tonight were to win the rebounding and loose-ball battle,” Forcine said. “My assistants had us winning both. Those are huge physical plays that we need to win every game if we want a chance, and we did tonight.”

After two tough league losses to Lower Merion and Upper Darby, Miller helped Conestoga avoid a third straight as the Pioneers look to build some momentum in a hotly contested league. 

“Our goal is not to win a Central League game here and there,” Forcine said. “Our goal is to be the best we can possibly be at the end of the season, and put ourselves in the best position to win. But every central league game is going to be a battle. I don't care who you're playing.”

By Quarter 

Conestoga: 14 | 11 | 4 | 10 || 39

Garnet Valley: 7 | 10 | 7 | 12 || 36

Scoring 

Conestoga: Miller 12, Robinson 8, Hogan 8, Fryberger 5, O’Brien 3, Smith 3 

Garnet Valley: Golek 11, O’Hara 9, Sniras 8, J. Krautzel 8.