Trib HSSN athletes of the week: Vincentian Academy’s Zach McDonough, Armstrong’s Kenzie Lasher

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, January 24, 2018 | 6:21 PM

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Zach McDonough

School: Vincentian Academy

Sport: Basketball

Class: Senior

Claim to Fame: McDonough is one of the leading scorers in the WPIAL this season thanks in part to scoring more than 100 points over three games last week. He had 30 points in a 10-point win over Cornell. He scored 21 in a blowout victory over Quigley Catholic, then he scored 46 points in a 86-64 victory over fourth-place Holy Family Academy that has helped Vincentian Academy to a 7-0 record in Section 1-A.

You dropped 46 against a pretty good Holy Family team on Friday. What brought about that performance?

Coach really prepared us for the game, and we started out fast. We were getting some good ball movement which helped me get open shots.

In a game like that, do you feel early on that it might be a big scoring night for you?

It just started off as any other game, but in the third quarter I hit a stretch where my teammates were finding me for open shots, and I started converting.

Last year, Vincentian reached the Final Four in Class A. Now you are in first place in Section 1. Can this year's team win it all?

There are a lot of very solid single-A teams, and there won't be an easy game in the playoffs. However, I really like our team and what we have going right now, and I'm excited to see what we can accomplish.

What's the biggest difference between playing for current Coach Tyree and former Coach Yokitis?

I felt like I have learned a lot from all my coaches, and how to play the game differently. From Coach Yokitis I learned how to play a very fast and up-tempo game. With Coach Carney last year and Coach Tyree this year we still play very fast, but we can slow it down and get into sets. Since I have played with these two different styles I feel it has helped expand my game.

What drives you to be the best you can be on the court?

I've always had a passion for basketball and I love working hard and giving it my all, because at the end of the game whether we win or lose I want to know that I gave it all I got.

Do you have any game day or pregame superstitions?

I don't have any pregame superstitions, but after games I like to hand out gospel cards to the other team, because I feel that a lot of people don't understand that our sin has separated us from God and only through the grace of Jesus Christ are we saved.

New England vs. Philadelphia. Who wins Super Bowl LII and why?

I think that the Patriots will win because Tom Brady is the greatest.

Kenzie Lasher

School: Armstrong

Sport: Basketball

Class: Senior

Claim to Fame: Lasher scored nearly 70 points last week, including 32 points in a big section victory over Indiana as Armstrong vies for the school's first ever girls basketball playoff berth. The River Hawks (11-4) are in third place in Section 4-5A but have a 2 ¹⁄₂ game lead over fourth place Franklin Regional.

What has been the key to your success thus far in 2017-2018?

In my opinion, my team's success this season has come because of all the hard work each and every one of us has put in. Everyone works hard and pushes one another each and every day at practice. I also feel that my team's success has improved this year because our chemistry with each other has also improved. It is better than we've ever had in the past, and it really shows in our performance.

Armstrong has not qualified for the WPIAL girls basketball playoffs in the school's first two years. You are closer to first place then fifth place in Section 4-5A. How exciting has it been for the team?

It has been very exciting for the whole team. We have had the goal of making playoffs from the start since it hasn't been done in Armstrong's history before so the thought of almost clinching a playoff spot this year is very exciting.

What were some of the biggest challenges the last two years after the Kittanning-Ford City merger?

There were not very many challenges within the basketball team when it came to the two schools merging into Armstrong. The two separate teams came together and formed into one pretty much within a single practice. Everyone became a family. I made some of my best friends once the schools merged together.

How do you feel about school colors — the royal blue and orange instead of the old purple and gold when you were a freshman at Ford City?

I personally really like the blue and orange colors now. To be honest I wasn't a huge fan of orange at first, but it grew on me a lot.

What are your plans for after this season?

I plan to attend Gannon University to major in mechanical engineering and also play for their women's volleyball team.

Your mom Andrea is the River Hawks girls volleyball coach. Do you play volleyball or any other sports?

Yes, I play volleyball too. I have played for my mom for all four years of my high school career. I also used to run track.

New England vs. Philadelphia. Who wins Super Bowl LII and why?

Well, since I'm a Steelers fan, I got to stick with my hometown and root against New England and hope Philadelphia wins.

Don Rebel is a TribLIVE High School Sports Network broadcaster and staff writer. Reach him at drebel@tribweb.com.

Tags: Armstrong, Vincentian Academy