Staying close to home has been worthwhile to UF's Masterlasco

If you've followed basketball in the area for a number of years, odds are you've heard the name Anthony Masterlasco. During a standout prep career at Liberty-Benton, he was part of three Blanchard Valley Conference championship-winning teams. Masterlasco finished his career at L-B with the most points in a single game (46) and a season (594), as well as being named first-team all-BVC three times and BVC Player of the Year as a senior. He finished fourth all-time in scoring at L-B with 1,379 points. All done in only three seasons of varsity ball. And if you follow the University of Findlay men's basketball, Masterlasco has been a key part of the program's success over the last half-decade. He's eclipsed the 1,000-point milestone there as well and was named second-team all-Great Midwest Athletic Conference a season ago. And in four games, the fifth-year senior will reach another milestone wearing an Oiler jersey, the all-time record for games played in a career at the University of Findlay. Currently held by Marcus Parker (131 career games from 2007-10), Masterlasco will break the record—barring an injury—next Saturday, January 27 when the Oilers face Ohio Dominican on the road. "Never ever did I think I'd play here five years and being the starter for four of those years and I would break the record. It's a crazy stat," Masterlasco said. "I was always called the townie for staying in Findlay, being so close and I guess now playing basketball here the longest, I'm guessing that nickname will stick with me for a while." To his head coach, Charlie Ernst, it reiterates what he already knew about the local talent. Hard work eventually pays off. "Anthony is one of those guys you love to have in your program. He's loyal, committed and he waited his turn because that's what it takes," Ernst said. "Anthony didn't play much as a freshman — a little, had a very small role and was used as a utility player — but he was on a really good team." In Masterlasco's freshman campaign (2017-18), he played in 28 games and averaged 4.1 points per game on an Oilers' team that finished 28-5 and made it to the NCAA Division II Sweet 16. In his sophomore season, Masterlasco was moved off the bench and into the starting five where he averaged more than double (10.5 ppg) what he did his first year as well as 2.6 rebounds per game. "He kept at it, kept working hard and carved a spot for himself beginning his sophomore year. Guys like that have always been the backbone of our program," Ernst said. "They're local or somewhat local—he's very local—but local guys that it means a lot to them to be an Oiler. When something means a great deal to you, you tend to stick around and be more committed to it. "That's what I think of when I think of Anthony. I think of a kid who's really tough, doesn't like to miss practice—he doesn't like to miss anything—but he's as tough as they come. He puts a lot of time into his game in the summer and the offseason and he's durable and dependable." His durability is especially incredible when you consider what Masterlasco deals with on a day-to-day basis that has nothing to do with basketball. "I have Ulcerative colitis. I deal with stomach pain all the time, weight loss; I have to get infusions every eight weeks—I actually have to drive down to Lima tomorrow to get an infusion," Masterlasco said Monday. "I take different medications to deal with weight loss and weight gain, but for the most part, I'm able to control it and fight through it." The numbers don't lie, he's fought through the pain and then some. Every year since stepping foot on the court, Masterlasco has improved. In his junior season, he averaged 10.8 points and 4.2 rebounds per game; and in his pandemic-ridden senior year, he averaged 11.0 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. Masterlasco didn't have to come back for one more go at things, but he did. Which again proves what his coach already knew about him. "He didn't hesitate when the option became available," Ernst said. "I think representing the University of Findlay means a lot to him. He loves to play basketball in front of our fans and in this community where so many people know him." "One of the biggest reasons — and I have a lot of friends here too and the class I came in with, we've always been really close — but having the opportunity to play again at the collegiate level, anyone who's been at Findlay would take that opportunity, having that in the back of my mind was great," Masterlasco said. "The class I came in with — Brady (Wildermuth), Tommy (Schmock) who isn't here anymore, and Cooper (Wall) — are all my guys. It's been fun with them, and I wanted to play one more year with them too." Now in his final season, coming back has more than paid off. He's averaging career-bests in points (12.6 ppg) and rebounds (5.0 rpg). "This year, I've kind of taken a step back and I guess I'd say over the summer I worked on controlling how I react in games and how I act in practices, staying more calm and not letting the emotions get the best of me," Masterlasco said. "This year, I think I'm more confident knowing it's my last year and I've got nothing to lose. This year really has been a mindset change and it's been a lot better for us." As he begins his last month-and-a-half wearing an Oiler uniform — and hopefully more, as he said, the Oilers want to play well into March — Masterlasco looks back on what he has done. And it's a feeling of great pride to be the hometown kid who went on to play for his hometown team. "When I'm done here in a couple of months, it'll be a crazy time because all I've thought about is basketball for the last 10-15 years to get to this position. And for me, this has been one of the greatest experiences of my life," he said. "The people here at Findlay that have been able to watch me play, I love that. I love that I've been able to play for them and to all the people that have been supporting me throughout this whole time, it's been great. "In the past, I would never look around in the stands and see who's there, I was just focused on the game. Now that's it my last year, I've been taking it all in, enjoying the moment and taking my time out there. It's different knowing that it's my last year, but it's been a lot more fun." And he's got a few more games on this ride of a lifetime.