Nick Coval burst onto the scene two years ago as a freshman for the Parkland High School boys basketball team. He has earned All-Eastern Pennsylvania Conference and was the MVP last season while leading the Trojans to EPC and District 11 6A titles over the last two seasons.

Now a junior, Coval is a leader of the team and is depended upon even more for his scoring and his defense to help head coach Andy Stephens and his team.

Parkland has had a strong start to the 2022-23 regular season, winning five of its first seven games, including all five in conference. Coval sees it in his teammates stepping up.

“We are playing well as a team,” said Coval. “Guys are stepping up and replacing big roles but it’s no surprise because they have been ready for a long time. We’re meshing really well and we’re having fun.”

Coval has brought a different mindset and leadership role to the floor, on both ends of the court, in becoming one of the leaders and captains of the team.

“My vocal leadership role has changed since the past two years,” said Coval. “It wasn’t my place as a freshman and sophomore to be a vocal leader but I’m older and more experienced now. Offensively I’m a guy who can score in a variety of ways along with getting my teammates involved. Defensively I try to bring energy to every possession. Our team defense has been very solid this year so bringing effort on the defensive end has been important for us this year.”

So, what can the Trojans do this season to once again be wearing gold around their necks at the end of the year?

“We just have to keep on getting better every day in order for us to repeat,” Coval said. “Learning from our mistakes is also a big thing, but most importantly improving every day is what is going to allow us to repeat.”