The past week: A 5-foot-10 senior guard/forward for the Upper St. Clair girls' basketball team, Pion has been a driving force behind the Panthers (21-5) reaching the WPIAL Class AAAA championship, where they will play Peters Township (20-7) Saturday. Pion scored 18 points in a first-round game against North Allegheny and again Tuesday in a semifinal win against Oakland Catholic.

Check this out: In Upper St. Clair's 49-46 semifinal victory, the Panthers grabbed a big first-half lead, let it dwindle and then had to rally in the end. And it was Pion who delivered. After Oakland Catholic went ahead, 43-41, with 5:05 remaining, Pion scored six consecutive points, sparking an 8-3 run.

Getting a boost: The Panthers feature 5-11 senior guard Alex Gensler, a Duquesne recruit, and much of the time the opponent keys on Gensler when Upper St. Clair has the basketball. That provides Pion a chance to shine. "Alex really has opened the floor up for a lot of players and she is a big key to our team's success and, also, my success. I know that a lot of other teams are going to try to stop her and that is when I know I have to step up."

College talk: Because Pion is also a stellar student, she is considering several very good academic Division III schools but is getting some feelers from Division I schools. She plans to play basketball in college regardless of which school she attends.

-- By Colin Dunlap

The past week: Grubbs, 6 feet 8, played key roles in Serra's three WPIAL Class A playoff victories. In the Eagles' 66-45 semifinal victory Tuesday against Union, he had 17 points and 15 rebounds. He had 21 points and 17 rebounds in the first round.

Check this out: Grubbs leads Serra in scoring at 19 points a game and needs 17 to reach 1,000 for his career. Grubbs, who played high school football for the first time as a senior, was a starting lineman for Serra's WPIAL Class A championship team. He is fairly certain he will play basketball at Pitt-Johnstown.

What sport do you like better? I like football a lot, but I don't love it like I love basketball. Basketball drives me more and I just enjoy playing with my friends so much.

What would feel better, a football or basketball championship? I think basketball, because of the losses we seniors went through the last two years. We lost to Clairton in the semifinals two years ago and they went on to win the championship. We lost to Leechburg in the semifinals last year and they won the championship. Winning it this year would be a great ending to our senior years.

The most chicken wings you've ever eaten? Probably 45 at Quaker Steak & Lube one time. Pizza? Eleven or 12 slices.

People might be surprised to know that ... I actually write poetry. My friends always get on me about it.

-- By Mike White