Shipley, Penncrest basketball titles particularly sweet for Monte Ross

By Bruce Adams

The hug was momentary but for Monté Ross and son Justin it will be forever etched in their minds following Penncrest’s thrilling 39-37 come-from-behind win in the PIAA District One Class 5A championship game at Villanova University.
That moment was the latest in what has become a special year for a man who spent his entire adult life in the coaching profession, causing him to miss many milestones, much to his disappointment.
On Feb. 25, Monte’s daughter Lauren, a sophomore at Shipley, scored 27 points in her team’s 52-47 win over Germantown Academy in the Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association (PAISAA) final.
“As I told many people, I did not miss a single dribble this season,” said Monté, who spent the last two decades coaching at the collegiate level, including 10 years as the head coach of the University of Delaware men’s basketball team (2006-2016). “It was really difficult not being there, as my kids accomplished different milestones because I was away coaching. To see Lauren win the Independent Schools state final and Justin win the District One championship is memorable. I could not have asked for anything more.”
“It’s been a blessing,” said Justin, who finished with eight points and a couple of key assists late in the championship final.
Justin, who will be attending his father’s alma mater Winston Salem State University in the fall, where he plans to major in business, added, “Our family has been saying the whole year has been kind of amazing. Last week he saw Lauren win the PAISAA title and now he has the chance to see my team win the district title.”
“The experience of seeing your kid being involved is unbelievable,” said Penncrest coach Mike Doyle, who coached with Monté at St. Joseph’s University many years ago. “For him, if he was coaching this year he would have missed out on memories that were unbelievable for Lauren and for Justin. For him to see this you’ll never get that back and you can’t put a price tag on that.”

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