Mike Shanahan
School: Norwin
Class: Junior
Sport: Basketball
Notable: Shanahan had 12 points and nine rebounds, as Norwin defeated Hempfield, 50-48, on Friday. Shanahan combined his defense and offense to lead Norwin to the come-from-behind victory.
"We were not playing well, and he was struggling, too," Norwin coach Lynn Washowich said. "We talked to him before the fourth quarter and said that players make plays."
During one stretch in the fourth quarter, six of eight Norwin points came on Shanahan dunks, two of which were the results of steals.
"We preach to our kids that offense if great, but if you want to win in Quad A, you have to play defense," Washowich said. "He made great defensive plays that turned into great offensive plays."
On Dec. 19, Shanahan had seven points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists in a 69-54 win over Kiski Area. Despite being the focus of Kiski Area's defense, Shanahan still played well enough to nearly record a triple-double.
"Anytime you have a 6-foot-4 kid playing the point guard is something you don't usually see," Washowich said. "He has the ability to make plays that are unordinary."
Shanahan's size and athletic ability have made him a coveted recruit in both basketball and football. He led the Knights football team with almost 700 receiving yards.
- By Ed Phillipps
