WHEELING, W.Va. — 2016 WVU basketball commitment Chase Harler headlines Wheeling Central’s Class A championship defending team.
The Maroon Knights a season ago won their first boys basketball state championship since 2009 and seventh since 2002, beating Charleston Catholic in double-overtime for the title.
“It was kind of a strange year,” said Wheeling Central coach Mel Stephens. “We lost to Linsly in our 11th game of the season, getting beat 97-92 — we talked to our kids after that about playing defense. We then got on a little bit of a roll and won some close games. It was a pretty special group which was really focused on what they wanted to do.”
The Knights lost six seniors from that team last year, including four starters. But Harler is back for his junior campaign.
“This year, we’re still looking for guys who can help him out a little bit,” Stephens said. “We’re just trying to get better with our younger guys and our new guys. Chase is a pretty good leader who leads by example. He encourages those guys and helps them out.
“He’s a kid who just works hard at the game,” Stephens said. “Last summer through AAU ball, he got much better than what he finished with us. He’s just a kid with that work ethic who will continue to keep getting better.”
The complete interview with Stephens is posted at the top of the page.