Trib HSSN athletes of the week: Union’s Tre Charles, East Allegheny’s Amani Johnson

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, February 14, 2018 | 10:36 PM

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Tre'Von Charles

School: Union

Sport: Basketball

Class: Senior

Claim to fame: Tre Charles is a big reason why Union is on a short list of legitimate contenders for the WPIAL Class A boys basketball championship. Last week, Charles scored 32 and 30 points in a pair of one-sided victories over Rochester and Western Beaver that helped the Scotties finish in second place in Section 1, one game behind Vincentian Academy.

Do you feel Union is getting the respect it deserves heading into the WPIAL playoffs?

Yes. I feel like we are getting more respect than we usually do.

What do the Scotties have to do to make a serious run at a WPIAL championship?

Rebound, limit second-shot opportunities for the other team and make our shots.

You are a standout on both the football field and the basketball court. Which one do you enjoy playing most?

It's kind of in the middle but will go with football because I like the contact, and there is just more excitement playing football.

How much do you know about that 2003 Union boys basketball team that surprisingly won a district championship?

I know they were an underdog, but made a good run in the playoffs.

You missed time during the football season due to injury. How is your health through the basketball regular season?

It gets to me sometimes, but I manage to get through it, and I've been doing well.

If you could have dinner with any athlete, current or past, who would it be and why?

LeBron James because he's just a humble all-around athlete, and he has a lot of experience on the big stage and can also give a lot of guidance.

Should the Steelers sign Le'Veon Bell to a long term contract or let him walk and spend that money elsewhere?

Keep him because he's the best back in the league, and he can help lead them to another Super Bowl championship.

Amani Johnson

School: East Allegheny

Sport: Basketball

Class: Senior

Claim to fame: Amani Johnson is wrapping up one of the best girls basketball careers in WPIAL history after becoming one of 40 girls hoopers to eclipse the 2,000-career point total earlier this year. Johnson also has been key to helping lift East Allegheny from a non-playoff team her freshman year to a program that has registered back-to-back undefeated regular seasons with a combined record of 44-0. Last week, Johnson scored 87 points in wins over McGuffey, South Allegheny and Leechburg as the Wildcats prepare for what they hope is a golden postseason run.

You joined a rare club in WPIAL history earlier this year when you eclipsed 2,000 points for your career. What does that rare accomplishment mean to you?

Eclipsing 2,000 points means a lot to me because it is my biggest individual accomplishment. My teammates played a big part in it, but it is something I can say that I did myself in a way. Also makes it even better that I just scored 1,000 last year.

As you are nearing the end of a great scholastic career, did you think you would be an elite player before you pulled on a Wildcats uniform?

I've always worn a Wildcats uniform since I was little from playing rec, travel, metro, etc., and knew I wanted to be elite. I was always pretty good, but it took a lot of work to get where I am today, and it's amazing to be called elite.

The back-to-back undefeated regular seasons is special, but is it championship or bust for East Allegheny for this season to feel like a success?

The WPIAL championship is a major goal for our team, but it is not championship or bust. We've accomplished too much as a team over the four years I've been there to let that ruin it, and we've had such a great impact on our school.

Your younger sister Amaia is now a sophomore. How good can she be, are you two close and how good are the 1-on-1 games in the driveway?

Amaia is a good player; if she cared more and really worked, she could be great. She probably could be better than me, especially with her size. She's a big guard and that's what colleges are looking for. We're really not all that close. We don't always get along, but sometimes we're friends. We have very different personalities which is why it's hard for us to get along. Our 1-on-1 games are pretty one sided. Can't remember a time she's actually beat me. It's great competition though and fun. And it always gets physical. She's bigger and tries to bully me and back me down or something, but I don't get bullied so then we're pushing on each other.

You decided on your college this past fall when you picked Kennesaw State. How was the recruiting process and why the Owls?

The recruiting process for me didn't kick off until very late. I had three offers at the end of the last high school season, and they were all from coaches who saw me in the summer from AAU. It was frustrating because I knew I was good enough to have more offers, but I just kept working. Then after playing AAU again last summer I had a pretty good July, which is the live period for coaches, and I had around 15 offers after that. It was a really good feeling to have my phone blowing up from coaches the few days after because I know how hard I work for it. I'm glad to say the recruiting process is over though because it did get stressful at times. I chose Kennesaw State because it was the best fit for me. The campus had my major and what I was looking for in a school. I also loved the coaches and their vision to improve the program at Kennesaw and put it on the map. I'm very excited to be a part of that.

What do you like to do outside of basketball that you wish you had more time for?

I'm not sure, I don't really do very much outside of basketball and sports in general. I would like to try yoga maybe.

Will you watch the Winter Olympics and, if so, what are some of your favorite events?

I'll probably only watch the Winter Olympics if it's on. I won't go out of my way to watch it. I really like the ice skating though. I want to play in the Olympics; that'd be cool.

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

Tags: East Allegheny, Union