Mars’ Ceh averaging nearly 25 points as senior
ADAMS TWP — As Mars' second-leading scorer last year with nearly 14 points per game, Ryan Ceh seemed the natural pick to step into a leading role for the boys basketball team this season.
The senior guard has blown past those expectations.
Through 10 contests, Ceh is averaging 24.7 points per outing. In the span of a week, he set a career-high in scoring three times — 30 points against Archbishop McNicholas (OH) on Dec. 27, 33 against Pensacola Catholic the next day and 34 vs. North Hills last Tuesday, all victories for the Planets.
"I thought I'd put up 30 points a few times this season, but not three times in a week. That was a bit of a surprise," said Ceh. "I didn't need a ton of shots to get there, either. I did it pretty efficiently.
"I felt good about my junior season, but looking back, I wish I could've done better in some of our bigger games."
Last year, the Planets reached the second round of the Class 5A state playoffs due in large part to senior Tasso Sfanos and his 25 points per game.
Ceh has been the definition of consistent this season. He's scored in double figures in all 10 games and has reached at least 21 points eight times.
"We knew Tasso was going to score and it was nice knowing he was going to go out and produce for us every night," Ceh added. "It feels good knowing that I've been able to be there for the team like he was last year."
Ceh has made 77 percent (20 of 26) of his free throw attempts this season. He drained 56 treys as a junior and has netted 33 so far as a senior. Outside shooting is usually not a strength for a 6-foot-6 high school player.
"He's so unique," said Mars coach Rob Carmody, in his 26th season of leading the Planets. "I've never had a 6-6 wing who can shoot 50 percent from the outside like Ryan is doing. He's our leading rebounder (nearly nine per game) and his size makes him such a presence defensively. He's on a roll right now."
Tuesday's win over North Hills was the Planets' fourth in a row, a streak that began at a tournament in Florida in late December. Mars (6-4, 1-0) travels to West Allegheny for another Section 4 clash on Friday.
"I think a lot of things have started to click for us over the last four games," said Ceh. "We're very capable of making a postseason run this year."
