Blackhawk

The past week: In less than 24 hours last weekend, Rawding was a big hit in two different sports. On Friday night, he scored 20 points in the Quigley Classic basketball all-star game and was selected MVP of the North team. The next afternoon in a Blackhawk baseball game, he pitched a two-hitter in an 11-0, five-inning victory against Shenango. He struck out nine and retired 15 in a row.

Check this out: Rawding, a senior, is 2-0 in baseball with 21 strikeouts in 11 innings. He has not allowed a run and has given up only five hits. He also was one of Blackhawk's top basketball players. He has signed to play baseball at Mercyhurst College.

Were you tired at all for the baseball game last Saturday? I'd have to say yeah. It wasn't bad during the game, but after the game, my legs were dead.

How did your baseball coach [Bob Amalia] feel about you playing in the all-star game? It's not that he didn't want me to play in the game, but you could tell he was kind of worried. He said he'd kill me if I got hurt. But he understands all this stuff.

Do you like baseball better than basketball? Yes. I don't know why. It's not like baseball is any easier. But it's not as hard on your body as basketball.

What should Pitt have done different against Villanova? It didn't seem like they played together the whole game. They kept giving the ball to Blair and he kept scoring. But then they'd take silly shots or have silly turnovers.

You could be any baseball player in the world, past or present. Who would it be? Probably Nolan Ryan.

Best nickname on team? Dave Janicki. We call him "Newt." I don't know why, but one of his cousins gave him the name years ago and it stuck. We have another kid who Coach calls "The Green Hornet."

- By Mike White

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ASHLEY ADAMS

Freedom

The past week: Adams won the shot put and discus events at the South Hills Classic last Saturday at Baldwin.

Check this out: Adams' winning shot put mark at the South Hills event was 44 feet, 10 1/4 inches, which is seventh-best in the history of the WPIAL. Her winning discus mark of 136-10 is 14th-best in WPIAL history. At last year's PIAA Class AA championship meet, Adams finished second in the shot put and fifth in the discus. During the indoor season this winter, her shot put mark of 46-6 was sixth-best in the country at one point. Adams has committed to Duquesne University.

How does one get into throwing the discus and shot put? It's a funny story. I always thought track was a stupid sport, but my mom made me do it in ninth grade because she thought I'd be a good javelin thrower. I didn't even know what a shot put or discus was, but the first practice I went to, I saw people throwing the discus. I said, 'That looks cool. I want to do that.' From there, it just took off.

Is it boring to practice the shot and discus? I don't think so, because each one has its own challenges.

Did you play an NCAA basketball poll? Yes. I have North Carolina beating Louisville in the final. I had Pitt losing to Villanova before the Final Four. I really did.

Who is the best athlete in the world right now? Roger Federer. I'm a huge tennis fan.

It's 10 at night and you're hungry. What are you going to eat? Buffalo chicken pizza from Monte Cello's.

People might be surprised to know that you ...? I used to be a ballerina.

... bothers you? Not being able to achieve my dreams.

- By Mike White

Ben Rawding

Blackhawk

The past week:In less than 24 hours last weekend, Rawding was a hit in two sports. He scored 20 points in the Quigley Classic basketball All-Star game Friday and was selected MVP of the North team. The next afternoon in a Blackhawk baseball game, he pitched a two-hitter in an 11-0, five-inning victory against Shenango. He struck out nine and retired 15 in a row.

Check this out:Rawding, a senior, is 2-0 with 21 strikeouts in 11 innings. He has not allowed a run and has given up only five hits. He has signed to play baseball at Mercyhurst College.

 Were you tired at all for the baseball game last Saturday? I'd have to say yeah. It wasn't bad during the game, but after the game, my legs were dead.

 How did your baseball coach [Bob Amalia] feel about you playing in the All-Star game? It's not that he didn't want me to play in the game, but you could tell he was kind of worried. He said he'd kill me if I got hurt. But he understands all this stuff.

 Do you like baseball better than basketball? Yes. I don't know why. It's not like baseball is any easier. But it's not as hard on your body as basketball.

 What should Pitt have done different against Villanova? It didn't seem like they played together the whole game. They kept giving the ball to Blair and he kept scoring. But then they'd take silly shots or have silly turnovers.

 Best nickname on team? Dave Janicki. We call him "Newt." I don't know why, but one of his cousins gave him the name years ago and it stuck. We have another kid who Coach calls "The Green Hornet."

Ashley Adams

Freedom

The past week: Adams won the shot put and discus events Saturday at the South Hills Classic at Baldwin.

Check this out: Adams' winning shot put mark at the South Hills event was 44 feet, 101/4 inches, which is seventh best in the history of the WPIAL. Her winning discus mark of 136-10 is 14th best in WPIAL history. At last year's PIAA Class AA championship meet, Adams finished second in the shot put and fifth in the discus. During the indoor season this winter, her shot put mark of 46-6 was sixth best in the country at one point. Adams has committed to Duquesne University.

 How does one get into throwing the discus and shot put? It's a funny story. I always thought track was a stupid sport, but my mom made me do it in ninth grade because she thought I'd be a good javelin thrower. I didn't even know what a shot put or discus was, but the first practice I went to, I saw people throwing the discus. I said, 'That looks cool. I want to do that.' From there, it just took off.

 Is it boring to practice the shot and discus? I don't think so, because each one has its own challenges.

 Did you play an NCAA basketball poll? Yes. I have North Carolina beating Louisville in the final. I had Pitt losing to Villanova before the Final Four. I really did.

 Who is the best athlete in the world right now? Roger Federer. I'm a huge tennis fan.

 It's 10 at night and you're hungry. What are you going to eat? Buffalo chicken pizza from Monte Cello's.

 People might be surprised to know that ... I used to be a ballerina.

 ... bothers you? Not being able to achieve my dreams.

-- By Mike White