Kiki Brown, Ambridge

Last week: A senior guard for the Bridgers' girls' basketball team, Brown got off to a "slow" start by her standards as she scored 16 points in a loss against Butler to begin the season. But then she got hot in the second game, scoring a career-high 40 points to lead the Bridgers to a win against Hollidaysburg.

Check this out: Kiki's given name is Kiara. Of the shift to Kiki, she said, "They started calling me Kiki in elementary school because, honestly, no one could pronounce my name correctly."

College chatter: Edinboro and Bloomfield College in New Jersey have offered scholarships. A Division I school, Saint Joseph's in Philadelphia, has been recruiting Brown as have Slippery Rock, Thiel, Betheny, Saint Vincent and West Liberty.

When you have a big game, when can you start feeling it? It is funny you ask that, because for me, I never do. I was walking off the floor after I had 40 and thought I had like 25 points. A girl on my team was like, "Kiki, you scored 40!" and I said, "No way, you are crazy." But we kept running our sets to perfection in that game and I guess the points just added up, but they didn't seem like 40.

People would be surprised to know ... That I eat candy before the games. I eat Sour Patch Straws, a big bag of fishies and a bunch of other candy. But, you know, I had two Gatorades and a banana before that last game and I might keep doing that.

-- By Colin Dunlap

Deandre Kane, Schenley

The past week: Kane, a 6-foot-4 senior guard, is off to a roaring start. He is averaging 32.3 points after games against Aliquippa, Central Catholic and Westinghouse.

Check this out: Kane was a starter last season when Schenley won the PIAA Class AAAA championship. He is one of the best guards in Western Pennsylvania and has made a verbal commitment to Duquesne University. But he has not signed with the Dukes. He also was the quarterback of the football team.

How different is it this season without DeJuan Blair, D.J. Kennedy and Jamal Bryant? It's harder because I have to do more stuff, like rebound, dribble and handle the ball. Those guys took the pressure off me last year. But I don't mind doing more things.

Why didn't you sign with Duquesne during the NCAA's early signing period last month? I'm just not ready. Other college coaches are still contacting me.

Do you have anything to prove this season? I have a lot to prove. First, that we can still win. We're not even ranked this year. Not even in the state [by the Harrisburg Patriot-News].

Who will you root for, Duquesne or Pitt? Duquesne. But I want my boy, DeJuan Blair, to do his thing for Pitt.

Favorite restaurant? Red Lobster.

People might be surprised to know that ... I like slow music.

-- By Mike White