St. Clairsville has had a lot to be proud about over the past couple of years. The basketball team reached the D3 Final Four a season ago and they are in this weekend’s Regional game. The football team made an impressive run to the state title game this year and almost pulled off a comeback.
One player that has been a major contributor to both squads has been senior leader, Dan Monteroso. He was named last year’s D3 basketball tournament MVP after leading Ohio in tourney scoring and is currently on pace to repeat as he has scored 111 points in 3 games which averages out to 37 PPG.
“It feels great but without my teammates it wouldn’t be possible”, said Monteroso.
Last year’s Final Four run did instill a great amount of confidence to a squad that is full of returning players. “We learned from last year that anything is possible”, Monteroso added. That confidence has showed as the Red Devils compiled a 23 – 2 record which included an OVAC 4A regular season and tournament championship and a district tourney title to add. These are great accomplishments for any school but Monteroso is not quite pleased, “The mission is not yet complete”.
Monteroso also excelled on the football team leading the Red Devils to the D3 State Championship game where their comeback fell short to Clinton-Massie 46 – 36. Although they didn’t win it all, it was still a season to remember for the 14 – 1 squad. The numbers he put up in the state semis were video game-like as he had 10 catches for 264 yards and 2 scores.
He finished the season with 68 catches for 1,483 yards and 17 touchdowns which was good enough to give him the Eastern District Player of the Year, the Big 22 Ohio Valley Player of the Year, first-team all-OVAC, Buckeye 8, all-valley and all-Times Leader.
Monteroso committed to Boston College before his senior year but changed his mind after they fired their coaching staff and hired Steve Addazio. That’s when newly appointed Purdue head coach, Darrell Hazel, started recruiting Monteroso.
“Coach Hazell is a great person and a great coach and I can’t wait to play for him”. Monteroso commented. He also has good expectations for his time in West Lafayette, “I want to receive my degree in Business Accounting and I want to go in this summer ready to compete for a starting spot.”
As with most high school athletes, their surroundings play a big part in their attitude and the city of St. Clairsville has molded a great student-athlete.
“My Family and Coaches have influenced me tremendously but one teacher has influenced me the most and that is my 7th grade reading teacher Mrs. Heidi Mooney. She had a conversation with me that changed my life and made me who I am today.” Monteroso also has some advice for the younger ones wanting to fulfill their dream of playing for their school, “Stay humble and do not let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. Also when you step on the court or field know you are the best”.
The Red Devils basketball team continues their journey in returning to the Final 4 on Thursday against New Philly.
