Upper Dublin’s Drew Stover commits to Millersville

Upper Dublin forward Drew Stover will continue his academic and basketball careers at Millersville University.

The senior announced his decision Thursday Feb. 18.

“When I went up there I just got a really good feeling,” Stover said. “I was really interested in the PSAC – getting in that league. I know it’s a very competitive league. It’s close to home so my friends and family can come to watch. The coaches were great, players were great. It just seems like a good fit.”

Stover first heard from Millersville last summer during the AAU season. They watched him play on Jan. 30 against Central Bucks East and offered him a scholarship after the game. He visited a couple days later before committing this week.

“We’re excited for Drew,” Upper Dublin coach Chris Monahan said. “He’s had a great career here with us. Great kid. He has been a lot of fun to coach. It sounds like a great fit at Millersville. I’m excited for him and his family and look forward to watching him next year.”

Stover also considered East Stroudsburg and Chestnut Hill, but the size and location of Millersville separated it from the others.

The Cardinals big man will be another college athlete in the Stover family. His older brother, Ryan Stover, played football at Towson and his dad, Upper Dublin football coach Bret Stover, played football at Millersville.

Coming into high school, Drew Stover thought his athletic future might be on the baseball diamond. Throughout middle school and ninth grade he thought baseball was his way to go, but found more of a love for basketball as a sophomore.

Stovers’ first year playing AAU with the Jersey Shore Warriors after his 10th grade season opened his eyes to how fun basketball can be. After 11th grade he played with Philly Pride.

Stover is in the middle of his best high school season. After earning third team All-Suburban One League American Conference honors as a sophomore and first team honors as a junior, the centerpiece of Upper Dublin’s offense is averaging 25 points and 11 rebounds per game.

He joined the 1,000-point club last week with a 29-point performance in a win over Hatboro-Horsham.

“It just showed me how much I’ve improved over the years,” Stover said. “Sophomore year I was just a guy on the floor. Junior year I stepped my game up, went from 11 points per game to about 19 or 20. Now I’m where I think I should be and I still think I can keep improving.”

Upper Dublin remains in the race for the District 1-6A playoffs as the season winds down. With two weeks remaining and four games left on the schedule the Cardinals are 9-5 and the No. 17 ranked team in the district. The top 20 teams qualify for playoffs.

The Cardinals will face Upper Moreland on Feb. 23, Cheltenham Feb. 25 and Souderton March 2. Thursday Feb. 18’s game against North Penn was postponed to a date to be determined.