Westmoreland athletes of the week: Ligonier Valley’s Marrek Paola, Jeannette’s Dymond Crawford

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, December 18, 2018 | 4:03 PM

Marrek Paola

School: Ligonier Valley

Sport: Basketball

Class: Senior

Claim to fame: Paola scored 32 points and grabbed 18 rebounds to lead Ligonier Valley (4-1, 2-0) to a 78-57 win over Penns Manor in Heritage Conference action Dec. 11. Paola also scored 19 points in wins over Forest Hills and Northern Cambria.

“We have a bunch of freshmen on the team this year. We’re really stepping up and producing as a team. I’m just glad we got off to a pretty good start to the year, and I hope we can keep it going to the end,” Paola said.

What are your college plans for next year?

I’m still looking but I’m playing basketball somewhere. I want to play as long as I can. I’m looking at Seton Hill. It’s a Division II school and it’s local. It would be nice if I go there since it’s local and friends and family can go see me.

What has been the key to the start for the team this season?

I’ve played with Michael Marinchak for a long time. We have good chemistry, and I feel like it rubs off to the rest of the team. We’ve grown together as a team, and it has helped us with putting up the numbers we’ve had this year.

What do you want to be remembered for after you graduate?

I want to be known for being the best athlete and person I could be. I leave everything out there on the court, and I don’t want anyone to tell me I didn’t.

How have things been under new head coach John Berger?

It’s a change with a new coach. Everything has gone smoothly. I’m glad we can have a good relationship between the coach and the players. I hope we can make a run in the playoffs.

What is your earliest memory about playing basketball?

My earliest memory was back in kindergarten or first grade when I was at the YMCA getting up shots. I fell in love with the game as far back as I can remember.

Dymond Crawford

School: Jeannette

Sport: Basketball

Class: Senior

Claim to fame: Crawford, who averaged 20.4 points last season, recorded a triple-double with 32 points, 10 rebounds and 13 steals to lead Jeannette (2-2, 1-0) to a 85-14 win over Springdale in Section 2-2A action Dec. 13. Crawford netted 30 points in a 59-37 win over Carrick on Dec. 10.

“I think mostly it’s about teamwork. Last year, we weren’t working as a whole. I’m trying to put points on the board and help my team mostly,” Crawford said.

What are your college plans for next year?

I haven’t decided where I want to go, but I know that’s what I want to do after school. I’ve had a few visits, but it’s wide open. I want to go somewhere where it reminds me of home the most.

What did the team learn from the back-to-back losses in the Oakland Catholic tournament to start the season?

When we lost those two, it was rough. I thought we played more like a team after those two losses, and I feel like we trusted each other more after each game.

How have things been under new head coach Jonathan Bass?

It’s different. With Coach Bass, we can have more fun and be ourselves. Coach Janine Vertacnik helped us learn the sport and helped teach Coach Bass more about the game.

What will the team need to do in order to return to the WPIAL playoffs this season?

We need to keep doing what we have been doing the last two games. We need to make sure everyone touches the ball and rely on your teammates and make sure no one is greedy.

What is one thing people might not know about you?

I like to hang out with my friends, listen to music and chill. I don’t do much outside of basketball.

— Andrew John

Andrew John is a freelance writer.

Tags: Jeannette, Ligonier Valley