Upper Moreland boys’ basketball, which had never won a state playoff game before, got to the PIAA semifinals in a historic season, writes Conor Smith for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
One of the main reasons for this success is fifth-year coach Dan Heiland, who has built a winning culture within a program that struggled in the early years of his tenure and beyond. The Golden Bears, who finished the season with 24 wins, had not recorded 20 wins or a division title in over four decades. This season, they achieved both.
Heiland also serves as an assistant coach for the school’s football team. Over the years, he managed to translate winning on the gridiron to the basketball court.
“Coaching football, the last decade with coach [Adam] Beach has been a huge eye-opener for me,” said Heiland.
Another major cog in the winning season is Colson Campbell, Heiland’s top offensive option, who scored 21 points in the 46-45 victory over Bonner-Prendergast in the quarterfinals.
Campbell has been celebrating the team’s recent successes with both his father, Jason, who is an assistant coach for the team, and his brother Cannon, who is playing alongside him as a freshman.
Read more about Upper Moreland boys’ basketball in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
