Pine-Richland

Recently: McCabe has been showing her "killer instinct" in helping the Pine-Richland girls' volleyball team turn into one of the best squads in WPIAL Class AAA. McCabe had 24, 24 and 23 kills in games against North Allegheny, Seneca Valley and Butler.

Check this out: McCabe, a 5-foot-10 junior outside hitter, has been a starter since her freshman year and was All-WPIAL last year as a sophomore. She comes from an athletic family. Her brother, Kevin, was a standout quarterback at Pine-Richland who played at the University of Virginia and California (Pa.). Her other brother, Tim, played baseball at West Virginia University.

? Wasn't basketball your top sport when you were younger? It was up until sixth grade when I realized I probably have no future in basketball. I just stuck with volleyball. I was just more coordinated in volleyball.

? Do you have any house chores? Not really. I guess I occasionally help my dad take out the trash.

? Should you have more chores? Probably. [Laughs.] But I like to cook. I cook for my family on Sundays a lot. I cook a lot of pasta. I know it's only pasta, but I like to create my own sauces for it. This past Sunday, I made bruschetta.

? Aren't you a better athlete than your brothers because Kevin certainly wasn't known for his running or jumping ability? Of course I'm a better athlete. [Laughs]. I actually play sports where you have to jump.

? People might be surprised to know that ... I hope to be a teacher someday, I love Christmas and hate swimming.

? Any fun question you wish I would've asked? I wish you would've asked if I didn't play volleyball what sport would I play? I'd say I wish they had a girls' football team here. I would like to play football.

-- By Mike White

Jim Giansante

Thomas Jefferson

This past week: Giansante caught six passes for 115 yards and returned an interception 45 yards for a touchdown to lead No. 1 Thomas Jefferson to a 20-0 win last Thursday at No. 3 Chartiers Valley in a showdown of two of the top teams in WPIAL Class AAA.

Check this out: A 6-foot-2 senior wide receiver/outside linebacker, Giansante is second in the WPIAL in receptions (36) and first in receiving yards (765). He has also scored nine touchdowns and is a big reason the three-time defending WPIAL champion and two-time defending PIAA champion Jaguars are among the favorites for both titles again this season.

? Why is Thomas Jefferson a title contender every year? I think that coach [Bill] Cherpak does a great job preparing us in the offseason, and then during the season he works not just the starters, but he makes the second team work real hard, too. He just keeps rebuilding.

? Who's the best player you've played with? There have been a lot of good players, but if I had to pick one I'd probably have to go with [Pitt starting offensive tackle] Lucas Nix.

? Coach Cherpak is well known for wearing shorts every game, regardless of the weather. Why do you think that is? He's pretty big on us being mentally tough, so I think that's his way of showing us how mentally tough he wants us to be.

? Do you do much trash talking on the field? No, I never trash talk. If someone else tries to do it, I won't say anything. I'll just try to make a play over them because that will make them feel worse.

? If you could pick one NFL quarterback to throw passes to you, who would it be? Peyton Manning, just because how successful and accurate he is.

-- By Brad Everett

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