Valley News Dispatch Spotlight Athletes: Ford City's Christina Davis and Jared Shaner
Christina Davis
School: Ford City
Class: Senior
Sport: Basketball
Report card: The 5-foot-7 team captain led the Sabers through seven games, averaging 17 points. She scored a season-high 22 points against Deer Lakes. Davis also starred as a middle hitter on Ford City's WPIAL champion volleyball team that earned the school's first WPIAL title in any sport since 1988.
It's the last year for Ford City basketball. Is there any extra motivation for this season?
We want to go out strong and finish with a bang. It's another season but bigger because we want to leave something behind.
Do you have any pregame rituals?
I either eat a salad or pasta, and I also shoot alone at the other end of the court.
When did you start playing basketball?
I always played basketball because my mom was a coach. She volunteered and then became an assistant coach. I've just grown up in the gym.
What is your most memorable performance?
My favorite part of playing basketball was playing with my sister (Heather). Freshman year I scored 21 points and shot 100 percent against Kittanning.
What are your future plans?
To go to college for exercise science, and I have to play basketball or volleyball.
College or pro basketball, which do you prefer to watch?
College.
What is your favorite team?
Duke.
What is something that people would be surprised to know about you?
I'm the president of the National Honors Society at our school.
What is your GPA?
4.2.
What kind of music do you listen to before a game?
Rap or R&B.
Do you have a list of colleges that you would like to attend?
A small college so that I can play a sport. I'm looking at Slippery Rock and Gannon.
Jared Shaner
School:Ford City
Class: Senior
Sport: Bowling
Report card:Shaner has helped lead Armstrong to a perfect record through three games and bowled a 726 series against Butler. On the Junior Bowlers Regional Players Tour, he finished in the 260s out of more than 1,000 bowlers in the under-20 division in Buffalo, N.Y., last year. So far, Shaner is ranked third in points in the JBRT. He has a high series of 734 with his high school team and recently bowled a 793 series in his youth league. He also has qualified for the 2015 Junior Gold tournament in Chicago later this year.
How did you get started in bowling?
Like a baseball player grows up on a baseball field, I grew up in a bowling alley watching my dad play. I wanted to be like him.
How young were you when you started?
I started when I was 1 1⁄2 years old.
What's the most difficult spare to pick up?
Probably the 10-pin. Most right-handers leave it, and you have to be accurate with it.
How do you pick the dreaded 7-10 split?
I take a deep breath and throw it as hard as I can so the 10-pin will bounce back and hit it.
Favorite bowling movie?
“Kingpin.”
What type of music do you listen to before a game?
Any type of rap music.
What pound ball do you use?
Sixteen.
Do you want to turn pro?
I've always wanted to since I was young.
