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The Athletes of the Week - one boy and one girl - are chosen from teams in the WPIAL and City League by the Post-Gazette scholastic sports staff. Paul McGrath, Shaler -- Yolanda Johnson, Woodland Hills
Thursday, April 13, 2000
Paul McGrath
SCHOOL: Shaler.
WHO IS HE? A 5-foot-10 senior and standout center fielder-catcher on the Shaler Area baseball team.
THIS WEEK: McGrath went 2 for 4 with a three-run double in a 6-3 victory over North Hills Monday and also made a nice catch in center field, crashing into the fence.
SEASON: McGrath is batting .424 (14 for 33) with four doubles, a home run and eight stolen bases.
CAREER: McGrath was a starter on Shaler's team that won the WPIAL Class AAA championship a year ago and made it to the PIAA championship game. He batted .304 (28 for 92). McGrath also was the starting point guard on Shaler's basketball team the past two seasons.
ONE OF THE BEST: Jerry Matulevic is in his 29th season as Shaler's coach, and he believes McGrath is one of his best center fielders. "There was Matt Stennett [1980-82] and McGrath. That's it," Matulevic said. "McGrath just gets a great jump on the ball."
McGrath has made only one error the past two seasons.
"He's like Billy Virdon in center field," Matulevic said of the former Pirate. "Of course, I say that and no kid is going to know who the heck Virdon is. Let's just say Paul's very good."
COACH'S COMMENTS: Matulevic gushes about McGrath. "He's like a throwback to the olden days. He's one of those kids who says, 'Where do you need me to play, Coach? I'll play anywhere.' He's just a tough, hard-nosed kid. You remember years ago when kids would go to a field and just play ball all day, he's the kind of kid who would do that."
DO YOU REMEMBER? McGrath's father, Paul, was a city firefighter who had a heart attack and died while fighting a fire in June, a few days before the PIAA championship game. Matulevic said some firefighters are putting together a scholarship fund for the younger McGrath.
-- By Mike White
Yolanda Johnson
SCHOOL: Woodland Hills
WHO IS SHE? A 5-foot-9 senior shortstop for the Wolverines softball team. She is a standout guard for the basketball team.
THIS SEASON: The Wolverines are 6-1, and Johnson is the team's top hitter (.615). She is one of the top defensive players in the WPIAL and has stolen eight bases in seven games. She averaged 14.5 points for the Wolverines basketball team and was named to the All Section team for WPIAL Class AAAA Section 4.
CAREER: .Johnson is a four-year starter, and the Wolverines have a record of 41-19 during her career. Last season, she batted .520 with 27 RBIs and 18 stolen bases. She is the school's all-time leader in stolen bases with 76. In basketball, she was a three-year starter and finished her career with 1,103 career points.
DECISION TIME: Johnson was recruited heavily in basketball and softball but wasn't ready to choose one over the other, so she chose both. This week, she committed to Seminole College in Sanford, Fla. Seminole is a junior college, so Johnson will be able to continue to play both sports for two more years before committing to one sport at a Division I school.
"I loved the campus at Seminole and I just felt I wasn't ready to make a decision because I love both sports," Johnson said. "Plus, I make good grades, but I am not confident yet that I am ready academically to face the pressures of a big four-year school. So this will allow me to grow a little and learn some more and give me the best chance to succeed in both academics and athletics."
TEAM LEADER: The Wolverines are a veteran team with eight returning starters from last year's section champion team, but Johnson has clearly emerged as the team's vocal leader. Woodland Hills Coach Dennis Damico said Johnson has set a good example for the younger players and is much more intense this season.
"We have won two section titles but haven't won the WPIAL," Johnson said. "This is my senior year and, because we have so many veterans, we are expected to win. I told my teammates and I remind them every day that anything less than a WPIAL title is a failure and I'm not going out like that."
GETTING DEFENSIVE: Johnson is a good hitter, but what sets her apart from most of the top players in the area is her defense. She is quick, has excellent range and a strong arm. Damico said she is the best defensive player he has seen in 13 seasons as a coach.
"I love playing defense because it is something that is always there if you work hard enough at it," Johnson said. "You may have a bad game at the plate or shooting a basketball, but you can always play good defense and help the team win."
-- By Paul Zeise
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