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Athlete of the Week

Burkett a student of the game

Name: Jenna Burkett School: Portage Area Age: 17 Grade: Senior Sport: Basketball Athlete of the week achievement: Burkett was the MVP of the Portage Art Burkett Memorial Tournament. She scored 14 points in a 58-30 win over Penn Cambria and scored 15 in a 52-35 win over Central Cambria. Season update: Burkett is averaging 14.5 points per game for the 2-0 Lady Mustangs. Coach Lance Hudak’s quote: “Jenna is such a committed, dynamic player with a high basketball IQ. Offensively, she is a threat attacking the hoop, pulling up from mid-range or draining shots from behind the ...

Semelsberger clutch for PC

Name: Easton Semelsberger School: Penn Cambria Age: 18 Grade: Senior Sport: Basketball Athlete of the week achievement: Semelsberger was named the MVP of the Central Cambria Ron Davidson Roundball Classic. He scored 18 points in a 75-47 win over Cambria Heights, and he had 19 points in a 64-53 win over host Central Cambria. Season update: Semelsberger is averaging 18.5 points per game for the 2-0 Panthers. Coach Jim Ronan’s quote: “Easton has been one of our big moment players for the past three seasons. He loves the big stage and is a great team player. He has been so ...

Smith shines on offense, defense

Name: Hunter Smith School: Central Age: 18 Grade: Senior Sport: Football Athlete of the week achievement: Smith rushed for 191 yards and four touchdowns on 27 carries, and he caught three passes for 27 yards and a score in the Dragons’ double-overtime win over Clearfield in the PIAA Class 3A playoffs. He also led the team with 11 tackles, including four for loss, punted twice for a 37.0 average and converted on five extra-point kicks. Season update: Smith has rushed for 977 yards and 23 TDs and has 100 tackles for the 12-0 Dragons, who play Hickory in the PIAA quarterfinals on ...

Guilfoyle senior puts in the time

Name: Sarah Geishauser School: Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic Age: 17 Grade: Senior Sport: Soccer Athlete of the week achievement: In two shutout victories during the playoffs, Geishauser had more than 25 defensive clearances in each game. Season update: Geishauser has led a Bishop Guilfoyle defense that has 10 shutouts this season and the lowest goals-against-average in the Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference. The Lady Marauders are 20-1 and will play in the PIAA semifinals against Riverview tonight. Coach Joe DeLeo’s quote: “Sarah is one of the hardest working players I ...

Benton has been quite a catch

Name: Jacob Benton School: Central Age: 17 Grade: Senior Sport: Football Athlete of the week achievement: Benton caught seven passes for 141 yards, including the game-winning score with 32 seconds left, as Central defeated Penn Cambria, 35-28, in the District 6 Class 3A championship. Season update: Benton has caught 49 passes for 830 yards and eight touchdowns this season for the 11-0 Scarlet Dragons. Coach Dave Baker’s quote: “He’s worked really hard to get to where he is. He’s made some great catches, not only the one to win the game, but he made some really great ...

Kravetz part of historic run

Name: Hailey Kravetz School: Altoona Area Age: 17 Grade: Senior Sport: Soccer Athlete of the week achievement: Kravetz scored all four goals for Altoona in its 4-0 win over State College in the District 6 Class 4A championship game. She also converted her shootout kick in the Lady Lions’ 5-3 shootout win over McDowell. Season update: Kravetz has scored 44 goals this season. Altoona will host North Allegheny in the PIAA playoffs tonight. Coach Marc Frye’s quote: “Hailey is an exceptional athlete and the ultimate competitor. She always plays with heart and passion. I ...