Thursday, October 09, 2003

-- By Mike White

SEAN CONLEY

SCHOOL: Blackhawk

WHO IS HE? A 5-foot-10, 185-pound quarterback who also is a standout baseball player.

LAST WEEK: Conley had a big game Friday against Hopewell and led the Cougars to a memorable comeback in a 29-26 victory. Conley completed 13 of 27 passes for 289 yards, and the Cougars came back from a 26-16 deficit in the final three minutes. Conley threw a 42-yard touchdown pass to Jeff Helbig with three seconds left in the game.

THE PASS: Blackhawk fans are still talking about the "Hail Mary" pass from Conley to Helbig. Conley has tried to relive the moment. "I went on the Internet and listened to the radio broadcast a few times. People have said it's the most amazing last few minutes of a game that they've ever seen."

SEASON: Conley is 20th in the WPIAL in passing yardage. He has completed 50 of 94 for 749 yards and five touchdowns and has thrown one interception.

CAREER: Conley started a few games as a freshman but has been the full-time starter the past two seasons. He surpassed 2,000 yards passing in the Hopewell game.

FROM CATCHING TO THROWING: As a sophomore, Conley played receiver because the Cougars didn't have much depth at the position. He caught 19 passes but moved back to quarterback as a junior.

"I loved receiver. It gave me a chance to get my hands on the ball, and just being part of the game was great. Plus, it gave me a chance to see what receivers want from a quarterback."

DIAMONDS ARE HIS BEST FRIEND: Although Conley has enjoyed success in football, he made a verbal commitment to Pitt last week for baseball. He is a talented outfielder who helped Blackhawk win the state American Legion championship this summer. West Virginia, Penn State, Duquesne and La Salle were a few other schools recruiting him for baseball.

"If I was maybe 6-2 or 6-3, I'd probably go for football," said Conley, who has a 3.7 grade point average. "But I definitely see a brighter future for me in baseball, unless I grow maybe five inches. And I don't think that's going to happen."

-- By Mike White
Post-Gazette Sports Writer

KELLY REED

SCHOOL: South Park.

WHO IS SHE? A 5-foot-3 senior soccer forward.

THE PAST WEEK: Reed scored two goals Saturday in a 6-1 victory against South Allegheny and three Monday in a 12-1 triumph against Serra Catholic. Going into last night's Section 4-AA showdown with Quaker Valley, she was among the WPIAL leaders with 27 goals. Quaker Valley (14-1-1, 12-0 through Tuesday) is No. 1 and South Park (12-5, 11-1) is No. 4 in the Post-Gazette's rankings.

CAREER: A starter since the playoffs her freshman year, Reed had 110 goals through Tuesday, a school record. She scored 35 last year, 38 as a sophomore and 10 as a freshman. Until this season, she also played some at midfield. Monday's victory gave South Park a 74-14-3 record in Reed's career.

NO TO DANCE: An only child, Reed started playing when she was 5, choosing soccer over another activity requiring deft footwork. "I did dance and didn't like it," she said. "My mom thought I should try a sport and see how I'd do. I liked soccer."

SPEED THRILLS: Eagles coach Shelly Thropp did not hesitate when asked about Reed's trademark. "Her speed with the ball. She's one of the fastest players you'll see, at least in AA, when she's dribbling. And she can jump. Kelly has a number of goals off headers."

FREQUENT FLIERS: The Eagles reached the WPIAL semifinals last season and were champions two years ago and runners-up in 2000. For Reed, winning is a goal that supersedes the ones she scores. "Last year, she started becoming more than a goal-scorer," Thropp said. "She is more aware of creating opportunities for others. Kelly knows the only way to win championships is to help others."

IN THE FAST LANE: Reed also has distinguished herself in track. She competed in the PIAA championships in May in the 400-meter run and the 3,200 and 1,600 relays, anchoring both teams.

FUTURE: A student with a 3.4 grade point average, Reed wants to play college soccer. She is considering three Division I programs: Duquesne, St. Francis (Pa.) and South Carolina. "I want to major in elementary education," she said. "I think I'd like to coach soccer."

-- By Rick Shrum
Post-Gazette Sports Writer

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