DAN MUTO

SCHOOL: Keystone Oaks.

WHO IS HE? A 6-foot-6, 240-pound senior and one of the leading scorers in WPIAL basketball.

THE PAST WEEK: Muto had 18 points in a 50-47 victory against South Allegheny last night. He had 24 points in a 63-52 victory against Steel Valley a week ago.

SEASON: Muto is the No. 7 scorer in the WPIAL with a 24.1 average. He also averages nine rebounds a game and is the main reason Keystone Oaks (15-7 overall, 10-3 in section) has clinched a WPIAL Class AAA playoff spot.

CAREER: Muto is one of the leading scorers in Keystone Oaks history with 1,180 career points.

SHOOTING BIG MAN: Most 6-6 players in the WPIAL play inside and don't shoot much outside. Muto is an exception, making 30 3-pointers this season. Overall, he's shooting 65 percent from the field.

"I guess ever since grade school I've been a decent shooter," he said. "I'm getting better at it this year. I actually like to start a game inside and work my way outside as the game goes on."

FORGET SOCCER: Muto's father, Sergio, grew up in Italy and is a big soccer fan. The elder Muto still plays in adult leagues in Western Pennsylvania. But Dan never got his kicks out of soccer.

"My dad doesn't know too much about basketball, even though he thinks he does," Dan said, with a laugh. "I played soccer when I was younger. Pretty much everybody does for a couple years. But I just liked basketball better."

HOME COOKING: Muto is solidly built. Some of his weight comes from the food at La Gondola, a small but popular Italian restaurant in Market Square. Muto's family owns the restaurant.

"That's all I ate growing up," said Muto, who sometimes works the cash register at the restaurant.

THE FUTURE: Muto is undecided on a college, but visited Slippery Rock last weekend.

-- By Mike White

COLLEEN TOTH

SCHOOL: Bethel Park.

WHO IS SHE?: A swimmer and the reigning WPIAL Class AAA champion in the 100-yard butterfly. Her time of 57.58 is the best in the district this season. Freestyle is her second-best stroke.

SEASON: Toth has qualified for the WPIAL championships in nine events. Swimmers can compete in only four events, and Toth will swim the 100 butterfly, two relays and an individual or third relay event. The WPIAL meet will be Feb. 19-20 at Pitt's Trees Pool.

CAREER: A junior, Toth is in her third season with the Black Hawks. She has lost the 100 butterfly event only once in a dual meet, as a freshman, and was fourth in the PIAA last March. Toth also earned WPIAL gold last year in the 200 freestyle relay.

DRY DOCK: Tendinitis has been about the only thing that has sidetracked Toth. She usually doesn't swim breaststroke because of stress placed on the knees, but did so in a recent United States Swimming meet. Toth was in pain for two weeks afterward and missed a dual meet against Montour. Toth also was out of the pool for a month last spring because of shoulder tendinitis, a condition that hasn't recurred.

HORSE SENSE: Until fifth grade, Toth favored horseback riding. "Then, the horse I rode was sold," she said. "My parents wanted me to be involved in sports and suggested swimming. I had my doubts -- I didn't know what it all entailed -- but signed on. It's a heavy sport. You really have to be interested in it."

FUTURE: Toth has a 4.1 grade point average. She wants to swim in college and has gotten letters from Notre Dame, Michigan, Army, Navy and Columbia.

IDOL THOUGHTS: Former Bethel Park swimmer Jen Fraas has been an inspiration to Toth. Fraas won four gold medals at the 1999 PIAA championships, then a heart condition forced her to quit swimming. "Jen is probably the hardest worker I've ever known," Toth said. "She didn't start strong, but she worked hard and became successful."

-- By Rick Shrum