HALEY GAIDOSH

	John Heller, Post-Gazette Haley Gaidosh: Montour's playmaker Click photo for larger image.

WHO IS SHE? A 6-foot forward on the basketball team.

THE PAST WEEK: A senior for the WPIAL Class AAA No. 3 Spartans, Gaidosh scored 28 points in a 63-49 win against Ambridge Monday and 20 last week in the Section 2 opener against Beaver, a 57-37 victory. She had 19 points in 61-58 double-overtime win vs. Blackhawk last night.

TEAM FIRST: Gaidosh, who is averaging just more than 15 points per game, said that Montour's early season success isn't about how many points she scores or rebounds she pulls down. Even though it's no secret that Montour's success greatly hinges on her play, she knows how important the players around her are.

"I worked hard all summer and I played for the Pittsburgh Power AAU team, but we've been playing well at Montour because of everyone," Gaidosh said. "We just have an awesome offense this season and we seem to hit shots when we need them and everyone is stepping up. That's the key, we've been playing as a team."

FUTURE: After a visit to Annapolis, Md., Gaidosh recently made a commitment to the U.S. Naval Academy.

"Annapolis is beautiful, it's absolutely beautiful," said Gaidosh, who carries a 4.5 grade-point average and is 11th in her class. "You cannot pass up an opportunity to go to the Naval Academy, because of the prestige of the school and the education you get. There's nothing like it."

She is thinking of majoring in chemistry and then about a career as a pharmacist, but also is looking forward to playing basketball on the Division I level.

FUTURE II: Gaidosh has thought about what could happen to her as a Naval Academy graduate if the country is in a state of conflict, as it is now. She knows that there is a possibility she would be whisked away to a far-off Naval base or sent to the middle of a war-torn region during her five-year obligation following her schooling.

"They have told me that I most likely wouldn't be in the front lines or right in the middle of combat or anything like that, but I know the Navy could ask me to be stationed somewhere very far away," she said. "It has crossed my mind, but I know that the situation with the Naval Academy is the best one for me and will help me achieve things I want to in my life."

-- By Colin Dunlap

STEVE McNEES

SCHOOL: Shenango.

WHO IS HE? One of the top junior point guards in the WPIAL.

THE PAST WEEK: McNees (6 feet 2, 180 pounds) had 41 points in an 87-68 victory against Summit Academy Friday. On Tuesday, he had 45 points in a 63-62 loss to Farrell.

SEASON: McNees is one of the leading scorers in the WPIAL with a 25.5 average. He also is averaging 9.1 assists per game.

1,000 POINTS: The effort against Farrell gave McNees exactly 1,000 career points. He is a good shooter, but also an excellent ballhandler and passer. He set the school record for assists last season with 237 and is on pace to break it this year.

"I've just really tried to do whatever we need to win," McNees said. "If it means me dishing out 20 assists and scoring three points, I'll do that."

SON OF A COACH: McNees' father, Bill, is Shenango's coach. Dad says coaching your son is challenging at times, but it's something he has always wanted to do. Bill and Kathy McNees also have a 20-year-old daughter, Kathy, who was more into dance than basketball.

"Steve's been coming with me to the gym probably ever since he's been able to walk." Bill McNees said. "Coaching your son can be challenging, but it's very, very rewarding. It's nice that he's interested in something that you're interested in."

Steve McNees said having your dad as coach has its ups and downs.

"The ups are you grow up around the game," Steve said. "He's showed me a lot of great things. He's the best teacher around. The downs are you have to go home with the coach."

PISTOL PETE FAN: You could call Steve McNees "old school". A player he admires is "Pistol" Pete Maravich, a flashy star at LSU in the 1970s who averaged more than 40 points a game three seasons in a row. Maravich also played in the NBA.

"When I say 'The Pistol' to kids, they say things like, 'What are you talking about, some wild, wild west show?' " Steve McNees said. "My dad was always a big fan of his and I've seen a movie on him and watched documentaries. I just like his style of play."

FUTURE: Some Division I colleges are showing interest in McNees.

-- By Mike White