VANESSA ABEL

SCHOOL: Southmoreland.

WHO IS SHE? A 5-foot-6 senior guard who is on the verge of entering the WPIAL record book.

THE PAST WEEK: Abel scored 33 points in a 72-65 overtime victory Thursday against previously undefeated Greensburg Salem. She had 27 in a 61-43 victory Monday against Mount Pleasant.

GOING FOR HISTORY: Abel needs nine points to become the 34th girl in WPIAL history to score 2,000 in her career. She averages 27 points a game, so she will most likely get it tonight against Clairton.

"It doesn't mean as much to me as it does other people," Abel said of the 2,000 points. "All I want this year is to win a section title and do well in the playoffs. I think we've all worked hard for that. Southmoreland's girls never won a section before."

Southmoreland is 12-2 overall and tied for first in Class AAA Section 3 with a 7-1 record.

WVU RECRUIT: Abel made a verbal commitment to West Virginia University last month, turning down scholarship offers from Duquesne and Saint Joseph's. West Virginia didn't offer a scholarship until early December, and Abel quickly took it.

"I just really like the atmosphere down there, and I liked the fact that it's in the Big East Conference and close to home," Abel said.

THE OTHER SPORT: Abel also played on Southmoreland's girls' soccer team.

By Mike White

JAWAAN ALSTON

SCHOOL: Albert Gallatin.

WHO IS HE? A 6-foot-8¹/₂ senior and one of the top basketball players in Western Pennsylvania.

THE PAST WEEK: Alston scored 20 points Tuesday in a 60-56 loss to Norwin, 22 Friday in a 76-66 victory against Kiski and 18 Jan. 2 in a 56-50 victory at Hempfield.

He is averaging 20.5 points, 12.5 rebounds and 6 blocked shots per game for the Colonials (9-5, 3-3), who are tied with Hempfield for the fourth and final playoff berth in Section 1-AAAA.

CAREER: This is Alston's fourth year as a varsity starter. His career numbers include 1,205 points and more than 800 rebounds and 300 blocks, all school records.

ALL-AROUND STAR: Colonials coach Dan Andria said Alston is a complete player.

"We use him at center, but he can hit the 15- to 18-foot shot. He does a great job on the boards and blocks an unusual number of shots. He handles the ball and runs the floor really well, too."

ABOUT-FACE: Albert Gallatin has experienced a rebirth during Alston's tenure. The Colonials endured six consecutive losing seasons before he arrived, including a 4-19 mark when he was in eighth grade. They advanced to the WPIAL playoffs the past three years, but lost in the first round each time.

"I want to go farther than that," Alston said.

FUTURE: Alston signed with the University of Buffalo of the Division I Mid-American Conference in the early signing period in November.

By Rick Shrum