Nick Novak

Franklin Regional

The past week: Novak scored 31 points in an 84-70 victory against Plum last Friday and had 32 in a 63-59 loss to Mc-Keesport Tuesday.

Check this out: Novak, a 6-foot-1, 175-pound senior guard, has been a scoring machine, averaging 33.8 points in the first four games. He averaged 21.1 points a game last year and has surpassed 1,000 for his career. He has scholarship offers from Pitt-Johnstown, West Liberty and Seton Hill, but Bucknell, Akron and St. Francis, Pa., are showing interest.

You were a good scorer last year, but not like this. Why? Last year, we had a couple of other kids who could score, too. Just having a lot of new kids this year, I'm kind of taking it upon myself to handle the majority of the scoring. But whenever I get other people involved, they're doing their job, too.

Wouldn't you say you're more of a 'scorer' and not a 'shooter?' I was a whopping 3 for 3 from 3-point range in our first three games. I'm not a flat-footed shooter by any sense. I've never been that type of player. I try to use my athleticism to get to the rim and shoot a lot of pull-up jumpers.

Something you hope you get for Christmas? As many 'Jordan' clothes as I can.

You can go to dinner anywhere you want. Where do you pick? Rock Bottom at the Waterfront for their chicken and ribs.

Three things in your room? My 1,000-point ball from last year, a bunch of pictures and posters of LeBron James and Derrick Rose, and my TV.

-- By Mike White

Lily Grenci

Mars

The past week: Grenci scored 23 points as Mars (4-1) handed Hampton its first loss of the season Monday, 47-35. Last Thursday, Grenci again scored 23 in a 48-26 victory against Kittanning.

Check this out: Grenci, a 6-foot-1 forward, became the school's all-time leading scorer last week and has 1,201 points. She broke the record of 1,176, set by 1983 graduate Becky Best. Grenci is averaging 22.2 points a game this season. She has signed with Siena, an NCAA Division I school.

Does that school record mean that much to you? It's a good accomplishment, but it's been made better because we've made the playoffs every year I've been here. So the scoring has helped my team win.

What is the hardest thing to do on the court? Probably whenever I'm not shooting well and shots aren't falling, you have to keep shooting.

Who is the best basketball player in the world right now? I'm a big LeBron James fan, but I think Kobe Bryant is No. 1 right now.

What does a girl from Mars do for fun on a Saturday night? Probably just hang out with my friends or go to the movies. Nothing special.

People might be surprised to know that you...? I like to read a lot, especially books.

-- By Mike White