Name: Makalyn Clapper

School: Penn Cambria

Age: 17

Grade: Senior

Sport: Basketball

Athlete of the week achievement: Clapper had 24 points, 12 rebounds, eight steals and five assists in a 76-30 win over Chestnut Ridge and had 17 points and went over the 1,000-point mark for her career in a 63-46 win over Bedford.

Season update: Clapper is averaging 15.1 points, 11.3 rebounds and 6.3 steals per game for the 14-4 Lady Panthers.

Coach Keith Saleme’s quote: “All great players I’ve ever seen or coached have three characteristics: They spend countless hours in the gym looking to improve their game, they are leaders on and off the court, and they work extremely hard on the court. Makalyn possesses all of those characteristics, which makes her a great teammate and player. She is a role model for the younger classmen and shows that all goals are attainable, if you put in the hard work.”

Favorite teacher: Mr. Mayer

Favorite subject: English

Favorite movie: “10 Things I Hate About You”

Favorite food: Sesame chicken

Favorite song: “Backseat Freestyle” by Kendrick Lamar

Outside interests: Hanging out with friends, boyfriend

Favorite professional team: Washington Redskins

Favorite college team: Penn State

Pro athlete most admired: Kobe Bryant

Best athlete I ever competed against: Bishop Carroll’s Alyssa Martinazzi

Most influential person on my athletic career: My dad (David Clapper)

Proudest athletic achievement: Getting a scholarship to play basketball at Pitt-Johnstown

How I got my start in basketball: Playing Mainline basketball

Future goal: Get a degree from UPJ and have a successful career