High School Playbook

By Moe Notkin, Sideline Reporter    

Allderdice came into the City League semifinals the No. 1 seed against a fourth-seeded Schenley team. During the regular season, the two teams split the series 1-1.  The winner of Tuesday's game would advance to the City League Championship on Thursday at 6:00 p.m. at Duquesne University's A.J. Palumbo Center.

Playing at a neutral court, it was supposed to be a fair game crowd-wise, but Allderdice's fans definitely brought their "A" game, cheering their hearts out before the opening tip had arrived. The game started with an 8 to 2 lead by the Dragons. This lead to the Dragons continously playing their "Hawk D" to finish the first quarter with a score of 15 to 7.

1st HALF HIGHLIGHTS

For every time Schenley would come up with a stop, they would only score half the time, playing a first half with horrible shot percentage as well as shot selection. On the other hand, the Dragons came up with points in the paint, long range three-pointers and routinely hit their free-throws. The Dragons lead 30-19 at the half.

As the second half began, both sides were clearly amped up and ready to either pave their way to the championship, or start driving home. The Dragons, clearly in charge of the game early, began to stray away from their successful first half play, giving Schenley more opportunities for takeaways and easy points. By the end of the third quarter, the score was 42 to 29 in favor of the Dragons. Still, the game, even though it was seemingly in the Dragons' hands, was much closer than anyone could have thought.

2nd HALF HIGHLIGHTS

As the fourth quarter progressed, Schenley trailed by 11 and seemed to be playing a more up-tempo, full-court press defense, as well as a faster-paced, quick-shot offense. The Dragons had some trouble keeping up, allowing the Spartans to cut the lead down to six with just one minute left in the game. It came down to the free throw line, and with seven free throws made, the game was set in stone as the Dragons pulled away 64-53 in a contest that was much closer than it should have been.

ALLDERDICE POSTGAME INTERVIEWS

After the game, the Dragons celebrated their victory with chants of "Hawk D" and "Allderdice Dragons".  High School Playbook Moe Notkin spoke with three of the Dragons' seniors after the game.  Senior Will Clarke xpressed his gratitude to his coaching staff and great team around him for taking him to the championship in his senior year. Look for the Dragons to face-off against Perry (who beat Oliver Tuesday 68 to 56) this Thursday.

The Allderdice Dragons Varsity Team took on the Peabody Highlanders Varsity Team in a big Friday night match up. Both teams went into the game looking pretty even -- that was until when the game started.

HIGHLIGHTS:   JV | VARSITY

Peabody dominated the first half, allowing the Dragons to record what has to be a record low in a half -- 10 points. The game at that point looked almost completely out of hand and fans were beginning to show it.

It seemed as if the Dragons came out with a whole new outlook and game plan for the second half as slowly but surely they continued to cut into the big lead the Highlanders held.

By the last minute in the fourth quarter the game was tied, and after Peabody missed a shot in one possession and lost the ball to a foul in another, the game was in the Dragons hands and could win it with free throws.

The Dragons in the end pulled out the upset, coming back from a 10 point half time deficit to win the game on their home turf 44-41.

  This game was set up from the start to be a great matchup. Perry came in to this game as the number one team in the league just one win more than Allderdice who knew that if they wanted a chance at the number one seed they had to win this one.

The game started off with a small run by the Dragons who looked to be pushing them selves harder than Perry. The Game still was kept close by a stingy Perry Defense. As soon as Perry took the shot to put them ahead of Allderdice making it 45-44 the game changed directions. 

Both teams were now seemingly playing their all, and maybe even a little too hard with many fouls being handed out to both teams, even a technical foul on Perry. Things were definitly heating up as late in the 4th quarter the Allderdice Dragons were down by 2. A late foul put the Dragons in perfect position to tie the game and make this one even closer. 

With both free throws made and the game tied 50 to 50 it was definitly crunch time with less than a minute left. Perry got the ball and after using some clock shot up  a long three, not only was it missed it bouned up above and behind the hoop. Allderdice with minimal time left ran down the court only have their point gaurd fouled with 1.5 seconds left in the game. 

Tensions were high and nerves were itching, the crowd went silent as  both free throws were made giving Allderdice a 52 to 50 lead with again just 1.5 seconds left. Perry had one chance, one shot to tie or even win the game. Perry tossed the ball all the way down the court with just .5 seconds left. As soon as the pass was received yet another foul was called but this time on Allderdice. 

The gym went wild as chants of "Hawk D" and "Allderdice" were heard, both free throws had to be made or Allderdice would have won the game. The first shot was missed and the crowd rushed the court as Allderdice beat the number one team in the city putting themselves at the top of the standings along with Oliver who meet this monday for the final game of the season. This by far was the best highschool basketball game I have seen all year.

The Varsity Westinghouse Bulldogs came into this matchup without winning a game yet this season, while Allderdice was coming in with momementum. Both teams needed this win either way to stay close to the top in the city league standings.

WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS

Allderdice, lead by the Senior Center Will Clarke, who averages around 16 points a game, is a force with the ball and pulling down rebounds at will. This was more than a challenge for the Westinghouse Bulldogs.

Early in the game it looked as if the Dragons could mark this one as a "W" but not so fast as the Bulldogs came back with speed and determination out of the gates as the second half began. The Bulldogs brought the game into a tie several times but the Dragons continued to put points on the board as the Bulldogs defense seemed to be ineffective.

The contest would be quickly turned into a game of free throws as late in the 4th Quarter the Dragons had tied the game, then had only a 2 possession lead after the Bulldogs began fouling. After about two times down the court of being fouled, the Dragons seemed to have this one in the books up 46 to 44 with seconds left. As Westinghouse fouled for the last time the Dragons hit their shots from the Charity Line and won 48-44.

Most school students enjoy their winter break because they get ample time during the holiday season to enjoy their gifts and, of course, not being in school. But while most students are resting, high school basketball teams are packing up and boarding either buses or planes all over to play ball.

Holiday basketball tournaments are center court during this time of year, and plenty of WPIAL and City League schools are getting in on the action. Many local schools such as Charleroi, East Allegheny, Shady Side Academy and St. Joseph's are hosting their own tournaments, but there are also many teams travelling all over the region and stretching into the outer parts of the country.

The Franklin Regional boys' basketball team is currently in a tournament in North Carroll, MD, while Central Catholic's boys are in the Great Florida Shootout in Kissimmee, FL. Sewickley Academy took their boys on a road trip to Eastern Illinois University, where they are participating in the Charleston Tournament.

Clay-Battelle, WV is playing host to the girls' basketball teams from Jefferson-Morgan, West Greene and Waynesburg. In Pickerington, OH, an eastern suburb of Columbus, you'll find the girls' basketball team from Peters Township.

The Penn State-Beaver campus is hosting a tournament of their own, welcoming both the boys' and girls' teams from South Side Beaver, Western Beaver, Rochester, and Mohawk, among others. North Allegheny's boys basketball team took the two-hour trip north to play in the Erie McDowell Tournament.

Seneca Valley's boys basketball team set out in the WPIAL Class AAAA to continue their dream season, having won the Section 3 title, their first in school history. Fox Chapel aimed to pull off an NCAA Tournament-like "13-4" upset in the league brackets.

WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS

But in a game of peaks and valleys, Seneca Valley took over late in the first half and didn't look back as the Raiders outlasted the Foxes, 49-38 at North Hills Friday night. Seneca Valley 6'4" senior forward C.J. Brown led all scorers with 18 points, while Fox Chapel's Harrison Smith scored 15.

Fox Chapel had 12-10 lead after the first quarter behind senior guard Alex Vargo and 6'7" senior center David Martin, scoring six points apiece. But in the second, senior guard Dan Rohm came off the bench for Seneca Valley to contribute in a big way with three first-half three-pointers, including back-to-back shots midway through the second.

With Martin and Smith both carrying two fouls in the first half, both players sat for the majority of the second quarter, and the Foxes felt the effect as they labored five minutes without a field goal. Behind Rohm's nine first-half points and Brown's eight, the Raiders had a 19-16 lead at the break.

The second half started as Rohm, Brown, and sophomore Christian Durbin combined for an 11-point outburst that left Seneca Valley ahead 35-26 at the end of the third. Meanwhile, Fox Chapel's dynamic duo of Vargo and Smith struggled for the majority of the game, shooting a combined 9-for-20 from the field for 24 points.

Fox Chapel pulled within four with about four minutes remaining, but Seneca Valley took advantage of their bonus foul situation, knocking down clutch free throw after clutch free throw down the strecth to keep the game out of reach. The Raiders will move on to face Saturday night's winner between Penn Hills and Upper St. Clair next weekend.

By Josh Taylor, School Coordinator

One might hear differing opinions when asked about the relationship of brothers T.J. and Rob Heatherington, ranging from brotherly love to sibling rivalry. But more frequently, the impact the two have made at Serra Catholic would be the preferred topic, and why they have been selected as our Clearview Federal Credit Union Co-Student-Athletes of the Week.

WATCH THE VIDEO

(Rob & TJ Heatherington)

Older brother T.J., a senior, and younger brother Rob, a junior, have helped lead the Serra boys' basketball team to a combined 53-6 record in the past two seasons, including 21-1 in the WPIAL Class A Section 3. During that span the Eagles have won a WPIAL championship, a state championship, and back-to-back section titles.

Our High School Playbook team visited Serra Thursday afternoon, where Channel 4 Action News Anchor Michelle Wright presented the Heatherington brothers with their respective Student-Athlete of the Week trophies in front of the student body, their parents, and their aunts and uncles. Their head coach, Bob Rozanski, also offered a few words on two young men that he says he will forever remember for their shared intensity.

"I learned early on that it wasn't a good idea to put them on seperate teams in practice," Rozanski said, "because a week of practice would often end in headlocks, half-nelsons, or fist-fights."

T.J. averaged 24 points per game for Serra this season, while Rob averaged 14 and six assists. The two helped lead the Eagles to win their second consecutive section title this season, before falling to Sewickley Academy in the WPIAL championship game.

(Channel 4's Michelle Wright presents Rob & TJ Heatherington with their Clearview Federal Credit Union Student-Athlete of the Week trophies.)

As for future plans, T.J. is headed to Point Park on a basketball scholarship, and he acknowledges things will be different not being able to play with his brother. But he hinted that he might not be waiting long.

"It will be different without him, but he'll be there [in 2010]," T.J. said, laughing.

Previous Honorees:

It took 36 picks before a Pitt Panther was selected in the 2009 NBA Draft, and when one was finally chosen, it was Sam Young getting the nod ahead of DeJuan Blair.

The former University of Pittsburgh teammates were projected as first-round selections, but hung around on the draft board, falling to the second round.

The Memphis Grizzlies took Young with the 36th pick in the draft. 

ESPN had Young ranked as the No. 22 prospect in the draft.

(Sam Young)

Young (6-7, 223 pounds)  joins Connecticut standout and Blair Big East rival Hasheem Thabeet (No. 2 overall) as part of the Grizzlies' incoming class.

Young joins a Memphis team that went 24-58 last season.

Blair, a First-Team All-American center, was selected by the San Antonio Spurs with the 37th overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft.

Blair was ranked the No. 19 best prospect by ESPN.

"Everyone was hyping me going in the first round.  I should've been in the first round, but God didn't want me to be.  It was an excellent choice going to San Antonio," said Blair.

Blair (6-7, 277 pounds) enters the NBA following a sophomore college season in which he was named Big East Co-Player of the Year alongside Thabeet.

Blair joins a Spurs team that was eliminated in the first round of the NBA playoffs by the Dallas Mavericks last season.

Blair's last appearance with the Pitt Panthers was a 78-76 defeat to Villanova in the Elite Eight Round of the NCAA Tournament last season.

(DeJuan Blair)

A four-year starter at Pittsburgh's Schenley High School, Blair scored 1,563 career points with the Spartans.

He led a Schenley team that captured the 2007 PIAA Class AAAA championship.

Prior to committing to Pitt, Blair was heavily recruited coming out of high school, but struggled to make a decision.

It was ultimately his grandmother, Donna Saddler, who told him Pitt was where he needed to be.

He became a starter in his freshman season with the Panthers and was named to the All-American Freshman Team while helping Pitt win the Big East Conference tournament.

Popular for his play on the court, Blair became an even bigger figure in the Pittsburgh community off of it, often drawing crowds wherever he went and even riding in the Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl XLIII victory parade.

More DeJuan Blair:

Video:

• 1-On-1 With Pitt's DeJuan Blair, Part 1
• 1-On-1 With Pitt's DeJuan Blair, Part 2

Stories:

• DeJuan Blair Enters NBA Draft
• Pitt's DeJuan Blair Named To AP All-America Team

More Schenley:

Schenley's Markel Walker

Markel Walker and High School Playbook's Josh Taylor

Markel Walker on cover of ESPN Rise

Schenley's Markel Walker

Schenley's Markel Walker

Allderdice vs Schenley

Brashear VS Schenley

Schenley at Westinghouse 9.28.07

Boys BBall City League Finals Schenley vs Brashear

Girls City BBall Finals: Westinghouse vs. Schenley

Brashear vs. Schenley

Trophy Celebration

DeJuan Blair Enters NBA Draft

2009 All-Playbook Girls' Basketball Team

Pitt's DeJuan Blair Named To AP All-America Team

Student-Athlete Of The Week: Markel Walker

City League Championships Tonight

City League Boys Semifinals:Allderdice v. Schenley

Lori and Nick Novak have two outstanding athletes they can be proud of as sons. Even more inspiring is the unique way in which each of them has achieved, making Franklin Regional very proud of their two accomplished siblings.

Nick, the elder Novak son, was the WPIAL's leading scorer this past season in boys' basketball, averaging about 28 points per game as a senior while leading the Panthers to third place in the Class AAAA Section 2, before falling to Plum in the first round of the league playoffs. Younger brother Alex, also known as "Bubba," participated in basketball, soccer, and track, becoming the first male letterman as a Special Olympian in school history as a sophomore.

Our High School Playbook team visited Murrysville this week, where Channel 4 Action Sports anchor Guy Junker honored the two as our Clearview Federal Credit Union Co-Student-Athletes of the Week. Among those present was their father.

The two share a special bond between them with sports being the common thread. Their dad described how the two often play basketball together, with Nick giving Alex pointers on his game.

"He always follows Nick around," Dad says, "doing everything Nick does."

(Guy Junker interviews Nick and Alex Novak)

Alex asked his mother one day if he could earn a varsity letter as a Special Olympics athlete. Lori approached the Franklin Regional school district with the question, and in an unprecedented scenario, the school granted the request, making both Alex and Debbie Stramat the first Special Olympics athletes in Pennsylvania to earn varsity letters. 

New regulations were set, requiring each athlete to document at least 20 hours of preparation, which Nick, Sr. says wasn't a problem for Alex.

"He's put his time in," he said, "he's worked really hard and he's really proud to have the letter and the jacket. He hasn't taken it off very much... I think he sleeps in it."

(Nick Novak and his basketball teammates)

Nick has committed to play point guard at NCAA Division II Pitt-Johnstown next year. When asked what Alex would do when Nick goes off to college, Nick asked him, "Are you going to take my room?"

Alex replied, "Yes."

Previous Honorees:

Alan Nedley

 

 

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Check Presentation

Guy Junker and Students

Franklin Regional Softball

Franklin Regional Basketball

Nick And Teammates

Indiana vs Franklin Regional

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Plum at Franklin Regional 8/31/2007

Hampton AT Franklin Regional

Franklin Regional @ Knoch

Franklin Regional vs. Hampton

Indiana at Franklin Regional 10.12.07

Central vs Franklin - Swimming