WPIAL Alum Q&A – Carly Forse

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, March 22, 2016 | 12:01 AM

Last month, the Bishop Canevin girls’ basketball team captured its second WPIAL crown with a decisive victory against Greensburg Central Catholic. The previous title came back in 2013, when Carly Forse helped guide the Crusaders to gold. Forse, who has carried her success on the hardwood over to Point Park University, is the focus of this week’s WPIAL Alum Q&A.

During her senior campaign at BC, Forse helped the Crusaders achieve history, as they snapped Seton-La Salle’s 66-game winning streak against WPIAL foes. In that Class AA title game, Forse contributed 14 points and nine rebounds.

Later that month, Bishop Canevin prevailed in the PIAA Championship game, as well, as the Crusaders mounted a fourth-quarter comeback to defeat York Catholic, 45-38. Forse tied for the team lead with 18 points in the triumph.

Following her high school heroics, Forse continued her athletic and educational careers at Point Park University. It took little time for her talents to translate, as she helped spark a 14-game winning streak to begin the 2013-14 campaign.

That season, Forse started all 34 games and averaged more than 10 points and eight rebounds per contest. While she enjoyed tremendous individual success, the Pioneers achieved greatness collectively, as they won the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (KIAC) crown, and made an appearance in the NAIA DII playoffs, finishing 29-5.
In 2014-15, Point Park again experienced a strong season, with a mark of 25-5. Forse’s numbers dipped slightly, but she again started every game and was an integral part of the team’s success.

This year, the junior forward led her squad in scoring (10.8 points per game), while ranking second on the Pioneers in rebounds, assists and steals. As a result of her play, Forse was named to the All-KIAC First Team.

After the Point Park season concluded, Carly took the opportunity to field an array of questions, including her greatest strengths on the court, if she still follows Bishop Canevin hoops, and her pregame ritual.

Q: You were named an all-conference performer this season? What led to such success for you in your junior year?

A: I owe my success to my teammates. They help me become the player I am and push me in practice. They also help me on court by giving me the ball in areas that I succeed in.

Q: What is your greatest strength as a player?

A: My greatest strength as a player is down low. My teammates do a good job getting me the ball at the right time in the post.

Q: Did you set any particular individual goals prior to the season? If so, were you able to achieve them?

A: As a team, we set a lot of goals, and of course one of them was to head back to nationals, but unfortunately we fell short this year.

Q: Your team won 19 games this season before falling in the quarterfinals of the playoffs. How would you evaluate the Pioneers’ season?

A: We had a couple good runs this season, especially since we battled a lot of injuries. We were a young team too, so I think this year was a good learning experience and really showed us what to expect next year with the competition.

Q: What factors led to your decision to attend Point Park?

A: I knew I wanted to stay close to home, and I saw the way Point Park played and I really liked the enthusiasm and hard work the team showed.

Q: You had great success at Bishop Canevin. How did your experience in high school prepare you to play and contribute immediately at the college level?

A: In high school, I had a lot of coaches (Tim Joyce, Lauren Wilmus, Wim Rogers) who worked really hard with me in the gym from post moves, to shooting, and even running to prepare me physically for the games in college, and they have really shaped me into the player I am today.

Q: What was your fondest athletic memory in high school?

A: Definitely my senior year. I couldn’t have asked for anything better than not only winning the WPIAL, but the state title as well. It was a great memory to experience that with my two senior teammates (Erin Waskowiak and Celina DiPietro)

Q: Have you still be able to follow the Crusaders closely, and were you able to see their WPIAL Championship win last month?

A: Yes, I have went to a couple games this year and went to the WPIAL Championship game, as well. It’s great to see Canevin win another WPIAL title and to see the team they have become. They have a lot of young talent and I can see them being even more successful in years to come.

Q: What is your major, and ideal future profession?

A: Business Management, and to someday own my own business.

Q: What is your favorite class thus far at Point Park?

A: Marketing

Q: Do you have any rituals or superstitions before or during a game?

A: I do have one superstition, which is wearing the same game socks every game.

Q: Who is your favorite pro athlete?

A: Steph Curry

Q: What is the worst injury you’ve suffered playing basketball?

A: I broke my nose at the end of this year in a basketball game

Q: What is your favorite way to spend your free time?

A: Hanging out with my family and friends

Q: What is a little-known fact about you or a hidden talent that you possess?

A: My quickness in the post.

Tags: Bishop Canevin