MYLES CARAGEIN

SCHOOL: Keystone Oaks.

WHO IS HE? One of the top wrestlers in the WPIAL and a Division I football prospect. Caragein is the No. 2 heavyweight in the Post-Gazette's WPIAL Class AAA rankings.

CAREER: A junior, Caragein has a 32-1 record this season and is 89-15 over three years, all as a heavyweight. He will compete in the Section 5 tournament Saturday, trying to qualify for the WPIAL championships the following weekend.

STATING HIS CASE: Despite his success, Caragein has yet to qualify for the PIAA championships. "I'd really like to make states as a junior and senior," said Caragein, of Dormont. "I feel as if I've achieved a lot, but there's always room for improvement."

PUTTING ON THE HITS: Wrestling isn't the only sport that has a hold on Caragein, who is 6 feet 3 and 262 pounds. He is an outstanding two-way football player, a tight end-defensive end who made first-team All-Greater Allegheny Conference on offense in the fall.

TOUGH DECISION: Takedowns and tackles have equal appeal to Caragein. "I love one sport just as much as the other. It will be hard to give up one in college."

FUTURE: An accomplished student with a 3.5 grade point average, Caragein is attracting interest from Division I football programs. "Most colleges are telling me I'll be a defensive lineman," he said. Pitt has offered a scholarship. Caragein was noncommittal, but Keystone Oaks coach Nick Kamberis said there is a good chance he will choose the Panthers.

-- By Rick Shrum

SCHOOL: Gateway

WHO IS SHE? A 6-foot-1 junior guard-forward on the Gateway girls' basketball team.

THIS WEEK: Scott scored 22 points in Gateway's 64-58 victory Tuesday against Butler in the first round of the WPIAL Class AAAA playoffs.

SEASON: Scott averages 16 points a game and has helped the Gators to an 18-7 record. They play Trinity in the quarterfinals Saturday at North Hills.

PLAYING FOR MOM: Gateway's coach is Jennifer Bruce Scott, who is Shayla's mother. "It's hard sometimes, just because you look over at the bench and you see your mom," Shayla said. "Sometime you kind of just want to roll your eyes at things she says just because she's your mom. But you can't because she's your coach, too."

Shayla laughed when she said: "After a game, everyone gets to hop in the car with their parents. I hop in the car with the coach. Sometimes the car rides home can be tough, especially after a tough loss."

BASKETBALL FAMILY: Shayla's father is Rod Scott, a former Duquesne University player and Penn Hills' girls' coach. "I really have never played any other sport," she said. "I ran track one year in seventh grade, but that's it. I've been around basketball forever, really since I've been in my mom's womb. She was coaching when I was in her stomach. I haven't been pressured into playing, though. I love it."

THE FUTURE: Scott is only a junior, but Pitt, Penn State and West Virginia already are showing interest.

-- By Mike White