SAMANTHA LOADMAN

SCHOOL: Bethel Park.

WHO IS SHE? The point guard for the girls' basketball team, which is No. 3 in the Post-Gazette's WPIAL Class AAAA rankings.

THE PAST WEEK: Loadman, a 5-foot-9 senior, scored 16 points Thursday in a 61-43 victory at Peters Township and nine Monday in a 54-42 win against Trinity.

SEASON: Loadman is averaging 15.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.5 steals per game for the Black Hawks (17-3, 8-1), who are in first place.

CAREER: This is Loadman's fourth year as a starter. She topped 1,000 points in late December and has 1,145 overall.

UNSELFISH: Though she called 1,000 points "an awesome accomplishment," Loadman does not consider herself to be a scorer. "I always look for the open player. But if I have an open shot, I'll take it. I like to drive and take the midrange jumper."

MORE ASSERTIVE: Coach Jonna Burke said her point guard is more than a talented athlete. "Probably her No. 1 strength is her mental attitude. Sam doesn't let things affect her. She could make four shots in a row or miss four in a row, and you couldn't tell by her face. But she hates to lose."

DAD A STAR ATHLETE: Longtime City League football fans should be familiar with the Loadman surname. Samantha's father, Tom, was the quarterback of Carrick's City championship team in 1972. He lettered at West Virginia for two seasons.

FUTURE: Loadman, who has a 4.0 grade point average, has accepted a scholarship to play at Mercyhurst College, an NCAA Division II program.

By Rick Shrum

JONATHAN BALDWIN

SCHOOL: Aliquippa.

WHO IS HE? A high-scoring junior forward and also a standout football player. Baldwin (6 feet 6, 223 pounds) is one of the best two-sport athletes in the state.

THE PAST WEEK: Baldwin had 40 points and seven dunks in Aliquippa's 108-99 overtime victory Sunday against Mount Vernon, N.Y., ranked among the top 25 teams in the country. In a 78-34 victory Tuesday against Freedom, he had 27 points.

SEASON: Baldwin is averaging 22.0 ppg for the Quips (20-2).

STAR WARS: Baldwin and teammate Herb Pope, one of the top seniors in the state, have been known to get into a few spats over the past two seasons -- sometimes on the court.

"We're cool now," Baldwin said. "We've butted heads a few times, but it only betters the team because after arguments you become closer."

COLLEGE TALK: Baldwin is expected to be one of the most heavily recruited football players in the state next season. He already has scholarship offers from Pitt, Michigan and Notre Dame. He also has a scholarship offer from Marquette in basketball. Baldwin said he expects to play only one sport in college. Although many already have him pegged as a future football player, he was emphatic in saying he has not made a decision yet on what sport to play. "More than likely I'll only play one sport, but I haven't decided."

By Mike White