Adrien “Ace” Varella’s numbers for Holy Ghost Prep were impressive.
Varella, a 6-foot-3 senior wing, averaged 18 points and 8 rebounds for the Firebirds’ basketball team.
But his impact on Holy Ghost was even more significant.
In addition to his scoring and rebounding, Varella commanded quite a bit of attention from opposing defenses and was more than willing to find teammates for open shots in those instances.
“He knows what he's capable of doing and he knows he's the best player every time he walks on the court,” said Holy Ghost Prep second-year head coach Tom Heston, who won his first state playoff game.
“When he gets going, we all get going,” said HGP junior point guard Adam McDonald.
A third-team all-state 5A selection as a junior, Varella led the 20-8 Firebirds to the PIAA District One Class 5A championship game and scored a game-high 26 points in their state playoff first-round victory over Lampeter-Strasburg. It marked Holy Ghost's first state playoff win since Tony Chapman's 2013-14 squad upended District 3 fourth-placer Bermudian Springs 65-53 at Cheltenham 11 years ago.
“What I provided was energy,” Varella said. “Whenever we went in a scoring drought, I was always that guy to give the ball to. It would start something off.”
Varella led HGP with 16 points in an 52-48 district quarterfinal victory in overtime at second-seeded Penncrest and joined senior teammate Zak Sharlin with 21 ...
