By PAT JAMESON
Sports Editor
With 12 minutes remaining in the first half against Wabash, Ryan Stanko did what only a select few in Allegheny’s basketball history have managed by scoring his 1,000th point.
Stanko’s historic shot came on a long three to put the Gators ahead of the rival Little Giants. In his four years at Allegheny, Stanko has made a name for himself both for his ability to come through in the clutch, and for his accuracy from beyond the arc.
After Allegheny’s victory over Oberlin on Wednesday, in which Stanko ripped the Yeomen for 21 points, the forward now sits at 24th on the list of all time Gator scorers.
“It felt great,” Stanko said of his accomplishment. “To work as hard as I have over these past four years it is nice to see it pay off and be recognized for it. I owe a lot of it to the guys I have played with. I could not have done it without my teammates. It’s a distinguished honor and I’m humbled to achieve it.”
For Stanko, a 2010 graduate of Deer Lakes High School, his success has been a process, rather than something that has been there all along.
“I attribute my success on the court to buying into our system,” said Stanko. “I believe In the guys around me and what Coach Driggs teaches and expects of us. As well as how much time and effort I put in to make myself the best I possibly can be.”
Stanko has been a Gator mainstay throughout his career, appearing in every game in his first three years. An injury derailed him early this season, but he has bounced back to lead the team in three point percentage and points per game.
A communication arts major, Ryan plans to return home to Pittsburgh and start a career in Sports Broadcast Journalism after graduation. This summer he interned as a Broadcast Sports Intern at KDKA in the city.
Despite Allegheny’s up and down season, Stanko says that his time at Allegheny has been nothing but rewarding.
“I will look back on my time at Allegheny fondly,” Stanko said. “I met a wonderful bunch of guys and developed a chemistry I haven’t ever been a part of before. I will miss it but I do not regret a single thing about my time here. It was the best four years of my life.”
Allegheny brings back almost their entire starting lineup next spring but it will be without one key player. When the game comes down to the line and the team needs someone to sink an impossibly long three, you can bet this school will be missing Ryan Stanko.