Basketball

Eastern York boys’ basketball loses Sowers, returns to Seitz as head coach

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6 months ago

June 21, 2024

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Eastern York boys’ basketball loses Sowers, returns to Seitz as head coach

Ryan Vandersloot
| For The York Dispatch

Less than a year after Troy Sowers took over the reins as head coach of the Eastern York boys’ basketball program, the veteran boss has stepped away.

Sowers, who led the Golden Knights to the District 3 Class 4A title in March, made his decision in April. Eastern officially completed a 360-degree transition Thursday by formally approving Justin Seitz, who led the Knights from 2018-23, as head coach once again.

“I resigned from Eastern York in April,” Sowers said. “I decided to retire from teaching at York High on Sept. 4 when I’m 55. With my home being in West York, which is 45 minutes away from Eastern York, and not knowing what my new job/career would be during next season, I couldn’t commit to being available. It wouldn’t be fair to Eastern York and my players.

“I’ve made great relationships with my players this past year and will miss them. I wish them the best of luck with their new coach, Justin Seitz.”

The Golden Knights posted a 20-9 record under Sowers, including a memorable run through the district and state playoffs. After settling for a third-place finish in York-Adams Division II, Eastern York reeled off a three-game sweep in the District 3 playoffs, defeating Octorara and top-seeded Berks Catholic before pulling away from Big Spring in the championship game at Hershey’s Giant Center. The win marked the fifth district crown for Sowers, who won three such titles with York High’s boys and added another with the Spring Grove girls in 2021.

Eastern then made a foray deep into the PIAA Class 4A semifinals, squeaking past South Allegheny and taking down Valley View before falling to Hampton. The Golden Knights previously made the state quarterfinals in 2023 under Seitz, who stepped down last spring and gave way to Sowers.

Seitz, who went 76-49 in his first five seasons with four appearances in the district playoffs and two trips to states, returns to lead a group of familiar faces. His son, point guard Brady Seitz, will be a senior in 2024-25, as will all-star forward and NCAA Division I prospect Carter Wamsley. The senior class also includes Anson Morcos, Aavant King, Noah Cunningham and Matthew Zerbe.

Seitz’s older son, Trevor, completed his four-year college basketball career at Marywood this past spring.

With Eastern York bringing back Seitz and York High approving Seth Leonard as its new head coach on Tuesday, only Susquehannock, where Leonard had coached from 2022-24, remains among York-Adams League boys’ basketball programs without a coach.

Where Sowers will wind up next is anyone’s guess. What isn’t at question, though, is that the former West York and Spring Grove girls’ and York High and Eastern York boys’ coach plans to be back on a sideline sooner rather than later.

“I don’t think I’m done coaching yet,” Sowers said. “I still have that passion to compete. I believe I will coach again sometime and somewhere that can fit into my new career and be closer to home. My faith as a Christian allows me the comfort of knowing that God is in control.”