EVE PYLE

	Alyssa Cwanger, Post-Gazette Eve Pyle: A big contributor averaging 17.7 points, 10 rebounds and 3 assists. Click photo for larger image.

SCHOOL: Oakland Catholic.

WHO IS SHE? A 6-foot center and one of the top inside players in WPIAL girls' basketball. She is the leading scorer and rebounder for the Eagles (13-1), who are No. 1 in the Post-Gazette's WPIAL Class AAAA rankings.

PAST WEEK: Pyle scored 24 points in a 67-41 victory against Gateway last Thursday, 23 in a 69-46 triumph at Mount DeChantal (W.Va.) Saturday and 17 in a 70-35 win at Plum Monday.

She is a big reason why the Eagles are seeking an eighth consecutive section title and have a 74-game section winning streak dating to Jan. 21, 1999.

CAREER: A senior, Pyle is averaging 17.7 points, 10 rebounds and 3 assists per game this season. She has scored in double figures in 13 of 14 games.

Pyle has been a starter since early in her freshman season and has 1,342 career points.

A ROCKPILE: Rich Irr is in his second season as the Eagles' head coach after assisting Suzie McConnell Serio for three years. He has been on the bench throughout Pyle's scholastic career, and said the most noticeable change has been her increasingly steady play.

"I don't know if she's gotten better so much as she is more consistent," Irr said. "She has been a rock, doing everything we ask her to do ... scoring, defending, rebounding, making passes.

"I think last year, when [guard] Brianne O'Rourke was out [all season with a torn ACL], Eve thought the scoring burden was on her. This year, with Brianne back and everyone playing well, Eve isn't putting as much pressure on herself."

Pyle credits her improved temperament. "Before this season, I'd get frustrated more easily and take myself out of games. If I get down, I'm hurting the team as much as I'm hurting myself."

VERSATILITY: Irr starts four guards plus Pyle. Yet his tallest starter is more than an inside story.

"What makes Eve so valuable," Irr said, "is she also is a 3-point shooter. It's rare to have a player who is your main inside threat, but also is capable of making the 3."

FUTURE: Pyle made a verbal commitment to Miami (Ohio) in June and signed during the early signing period in November.

Pyle, who has a 4.1 grade point average, plans to major in business or a related field.

-- By Rick Shrum

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AMIR JOHNSON

SCHOOL: Quaker Valley.

WHO IS HE? A 5-foot-8, 170-pound junior guard who has helped turn Quaker Valley into one of the top boys' basketball teams in WPIAL Class AA.

THE PAST WEEK: Maybe Johnson made a New Year's resolution to do everything for Quaker Valley. In four games since Jan. 4, he averaged 29.3 points, 8 assists and 5 steals. Quaker Valley won all four games against Bishop Canevin, Monaca, Seton-LaSalle and Sewickley Academy. Against Seton-LaSalle Friday, Johnson had a triple-double with 30 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds.

A LITTLE OF EVERYTHING: Johnson's season statistics show his versatility. He's one of the leading scorers in the WPIAL with a 24.6 average. But he also is good for 8 assists, 6.9 rebounds and 5 steals a game. He is shooting 78 percent from the free-throw line and has helped Quaker Valley to a 13-1 record.

"He might be only 5-9 at the most, but he's very strong," said Quaker Valley coach Tom Demko. "Plus, he just plays under control offensively and defensively. As far as rebounding, it's a lot about desire -- and he has the desire."

ON THE MOVE: This is Johnson's third high school in three years. He attended Allderdice as a freshman and saw varsity playing time for a team that made the PIAA playoffs. Last year, he played at Sewickley Academy and helped the team to the WPIAL Class A title. He transferred to Quaker Valley before the start of this year.

Teammate Ryann Bradford has traveled the same road as Johnson. Bradford also attended Allderdice as a freshman and Sewickley Academy as a sophomore. Johnson said he and Bradford left Sewickley Academy because they couldn't handle the academics. Johnson's legal guardian is Bradford's mother, Terry, and they lived in Sewickley.

"I didn't want to leave Sewickley Academy, but stuff happens," Johnson said. "I think I've adjusted pretty well to everything, the surroundings and things like that. I like this school. Everyone has been nice to me. We get free laptop computers here. Everything is going well."

Johnson and Bradford were welcome additions to Quaker Valley. The Quakers were 6-16 last year, but played in Class AAA. They dropped to Class AA this season.

"The two of them obviously have been a spark," Demko said.

HOW GOOD? Although Quaker Valley has only one loss, a big question is whether the Quakers can play with the top teams in Class AA. Beaver Falls, the No. 1-ranked team, beat Quaker Valley, 98-80, earlier this season.

"We haven't beaten any big teams yet, but when we get the chance I'm pretty sure we won't let anybody down," Johnson said.

-- By Mike White