A-K Valley athletes of the week: Plum’s Will Beckner, Apollo-Ridge’s Sophie Yard

By: Bill Hartlep
Saturday, December 30, 2023 | 2:47 PM

Sophie Yard

Class: Senior

School: Apollo-Ridge

Sport: Basketball

Report card: Apollo-Ridge’s Sophie Yard was named to the all-tournament team at the Apollo Trust Company Tournament this week after she scored 33 points in a 59-8 win over East Allegheny on Thursday and had 11 points in a 57-22 loss to River Valley on Friday. The 5-foot-6 senior guard, who also competes in soccer and track and field, was the MVP in the Leechburg tip-off tournament earlier this season after scoring 20 points against Springdale and 18 against Leechburg. She averaged 13.4 points and 2.7 assists for the Vikings (4-6) last season.

How did the team play against East Allegheny on Thursday?

Our team played really, really well against East Allegheny. We put in the tactics we have been learning in practices and executed them pretty well.

Was that the most points you’ve had in a game?

I do believe so. I think that was my high. My shots were just going in. Again, I couldn’t not have done that without my team.

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

I would say a big thing is communication. We’ve lacked in that the past couple years, but I think that’s one thing Coach Zelonka is (pushing) on us to do. We’re executing that very well and our pass game.

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

Our goals this year are to play the best we can. We have a pretty heavy schedule coming up so doing everything we can to stick with it and win as much as we can.

How did you get started playing basketball?

It all started in third grade. I was asked if I’d like to play basketball. I thought it would be fun. Ever since, I fell in love with it.

Who is the toughest player you’ve guarded?

No. 4 from River Valley (Ava Persichetti) is the best I’ve guarded. And the point guard from Winchester Thurston.

Which of the three sports you play do you enjoy most?

I think track I get the most out of. I enjoy that the most. I do high jump. That’s my favorite. You get to use the most self tactics. It’s a self sport. You get to push yourself to your limit. I really enjoy that.

Have you made plans for next fall?

I have committed to Slippery Rock. I’m not doing any sports. I’m majoring in exercise science to pursue a doctorate in physical therapy. I have had a couple injuries, so I got introduced into the field of physical therapy, and I’ve always had a liking toward bones and getting to know everything about the body.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Hopefully, doing well in college and starting in on my last couple years of PT school.

Will you make any New Year’s resolutions?

To keep my family healthy and keep myself healthy and make sure everyone is happy.

What’s your favorite home-cooked meal?

I love a good chicken Alfredo. It’s basic, but you can’t go wrong with it.

Do you have a favorite restaurant in the area?

Umi (Japanese Steak House). It’s a hibachi place in Indiana.

What is something people might not know about you?

I broke my leg on a trampoline when I was 4 years old.

Will Beckner

Class: Junior

School: Plum

Sport: Basketball

Report card: Plum junior shooting guard Will Beckner drilled eight 3-pointers and had 28 points as Plum beat Brentwood, 66-57, on Thursday in the Mustangs’ holiday tournament. The next day, he had 14 points in a 64-28 victory over OLSH as Plum improved to 5-4 overall. Beckner, who averages 12.8 ppg, also had 31 points in a 79-52 win over Freeport on Dec. 19.

How did the team play against OLSH on Friday night?

We’re definitely coming along more as a team. We started off pretty slow. We have a lot of new pieces. The more we see our shots go down, we’re definitely playing more consistent.

What made the difference in the win against Brentwood?

We started off pretty slow. I feel like the more we pushed the tempo and got into our sets, we were able to get our shooters open looks and put up a lot more points in the second half than we were in the first.

Was that the most 3-pointers you’ve made in a game?

It was. It really just felt like every time the ball came out of my hands it was going to go in. The last couple games my shot has definitely felt better.

Did the team celebrate coach Walther’s 100-win milestone?

We all had a big celebration after the game. He’s done a lot for our team coming in and helping us a lot. It’s definitely a great achievement for him.

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

I feel like we definitely came together chemistry-wise. We’re jelling well. Our defense has looked better than the beginning of the season. Against OLSH, we held them to (13) points it the second half.

What are the team’s goals this season?

After a couple years of missing the playoffs, I feel like this year with a tough section we’ll have to battle, but our goal is to make a little run it the playoffs. We still have a young team, but this year it would be nice to get in.

Who is the toughest player you’ve guarded?

Last year, I guarded “Slice” (Chaz Cobbs Jr.) from Woodland Hills. It was definitely not an easy game. He’s shifty and hard to stay with.

How did you get started playing basketball?

I started playing in the YMCA leagues when I was real young. Ever since, I just fell in love with it.

Are you involved in any other sports or activities at Plum?

I’m involved with FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) and also in the club, Best Buddies.

Will you make any New Year’s resolutions?

Just stay consistent with working out basketball-wise for the next year. In my senior year I want to stay consistent and keep getting better.

What’s your favorite home-cooked meal?

I do really like my mom’s shrimp pasta.

Do you have a favorite restaurant in the area?

I really like Veltre’s (Pizza). Big fan. They have a really, really good Italian sub.

What’s something people might not know about you?

I’m big into golf. Especially when I’m struggling body-wise and need an off day, I like to get out and golf. I’ll play at Meadowink. I went to Grandview, which was a tough course but had a nice view.

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: Apollo-Ridge, Plum