A-K Valley athletes of the week: Valley’s Keyziyah Clay, Knoch’s Adah Fuller

By: Bill Hartlep
Saturday, January 6, 2024 | 2:21 PM

Previous Next

Adah Fuller

Class: Senior

School: Knoch

Sport: Basketball

Report card: Knoch sharpshooter Adah Fuller hit five 3-pointers and had a career-high 25 points Tuesday in a 46-30 win over Freeport. Then, on Thursday, she knocked down four 3-pointers and had 19 points as Knoch picked up a 51-16 win over Derry in Section 1-4A. The 5-foot-10 forward has helped Knoch to a 6-4 overall record and 2-1 mark in section play.

How did the team play against Derry on Thursday?

I think we played really well. Especially on defense, we really showed up. It was just an overall good game for everyone. We scored well and played defense well.

You’ve had five and four 3-pointers in your last two games. What has been going well for you?

I’ve just been feeling it. With our offense, as a team, we’ve been setting each other up and getting better open shots.

What does it take to be a good outside shooter?

Patience. It can be easy to force shots, but it takes a lot of passing and patience.

Do you have a favorite spot on the court?

Not really. I like to shoot from all over.

What are some things the team is doing well at this point in the season?

Defense. Even in the past few years, but especially this year, we’ve been consistently good on defense. In practice, we prioritize working on defense, and it pays off in games.

What are the team’s goals the rest of the way?

Besides winning more games, we want to win the section and make playoffs, of course, but also being united and playing for each other. Not see each person as an individual player, but as one unit playing together for each other.

How did you get started playing basketball?

My siblings played when I was younger in middle school and high school. I always went to their games. Basketball was just part of our family. In my freshman year of high school, I started playing and found I loved the game. That just kickstarted everything else.

Have you made any plans for next fall?

I’d like to go to college. I’m thinking about playing sports in college. I want to pursue a business major.

Are you involved in any other sports/activities at Knoch?

I do track in the spring. I run the sprints — the 100 meter, 200 meter, 4-by-1 and 4-by-4.

Did you make any new year’s resolutions?

I did not. I’m not much of a resolutions person. I just in general work in every aspect of my life to be better.

What was the last movie you saw in a theater?

“Wonka.” We went on New Year’s Day. It was really good.

What’s the last concert you saw?

Elevation Worship last summer. It was amazing. It was as PPG Paints Arena.

Do you listen to any pre-game hype music?

Personally, I kind of just am in my own head, thinking about the game. I’m not really a music listener before games.

What is something people might not know about you?

I am a musician. I’ve been playing piano and violin since I was 6 or 7 years old. It’s just something I love doing. I’ve done a few recitals with violin. I play violin in my church’s orchestra and piano in my church’s teen group.

Keyziyah Clay

Class: Senior

School: Valley

Sport: Basketball

Report card: The Valley boys basketball team has matched its Section 3-3A win total from a year ago, earning a second victory Friday night with a 53-49 win over Ligonier Valley. Clay, a 6-foot-4 power forward, scored 21 points to lead the Vikings (4-5, 2-1), who beat Apollo-Ridge last month and lost to Shady Side Academy earlier this week. Valley has won four of its past six games.

How did the team play against Ligonier Valley on Friday?

We played good. It was a lot of cheap fouls, but we still pulled out the win. It was a tough game. It came down to the wire. It came down to defense. We got a lot of offensive and defensive boards. Our man (defense) was great.

What are some things the team is doing well at this point in the season?

We’re playing as a team, as a unit. A lot of people putting pride to the side and trying to get the win instead of self-playing in games.

What are the team’s goals the rest of the way?

The real goal is we’re trying to get as many wins as possible, win the section and get a playoff spot.

What is your role on this team?

I feel like I’m one of the leaders. A lot of the team listens to me. Try to get me the ball in crunch time to make the right play.

How did you get started playing basketball?

I’ve been playing basketball since I was younger. I stopped playing for a while, but I came back last year. It helped me mature, knowing that it’s not all streetball, it’s a team effort. You have to win as a team and lose as a team.

Have you made any plans for next fall?

I want to play basketball. If teams look at me, I want to go. Last year, I was going to go to this invite, but I fractured my knee. (The rehab) went good. I’m 100% healed.

Are you involved in any other sports/activities at Valley?

I was gonna play football, but it’s not really for me any more.

Did you make any new year’s resolutions?

Not much, just working for my goals for my life. Put money to the side to get what I need to get.

What music are you listening to right now?

Favorite artist is Quando Rondo.

What’s your favorite home-cooked meal?

Rice and beans, lasagna or chicken and fries.

What’s your favorite class?

Math.

What is something people might not know about you?

I’m really like a chill person, but I have boundaries.

Who is the toughest player you’ve guarded?

Nate Litrun from Deer Lakes, but he graduated.

Bill Hartlep is the TribLive sports editor. A Pittsburgh native and Point Park graduate, he joined the Trib in 2004, covering high school sports. He held various editing roles before assuming his current position in 2019. He can be reached at bhartlep@triblive.com.

Tags: Knoch, Valley