Indiana High’s girls basketball team rolls through WPIAL Class 5A, Section 1, and senior Katie Kovalchick helps lead the way.
The 6-foot-3 power forward/center posted a career-high 28 points in a 67-37 win over Plum on Jan. 16. It’s just one of seven section wins for the 11-5 Indians, who are the only undefeated team in their section and lead Woodland Hills by two games.
Since losing to District 10’s Kennedy Catholic on Jan. 3, Indiana has had five straight wins, all against section opponents, before losing to South Fayette on Monday night.
Kovalchick went 6-for-8 and scored 14 points in Thursday’s 50-31 win over Penn Hills. She scored 13 field goals against Plum for her career high.
Here’s a look at this week’s Athlete of the Week.
Parents: Joe and Stacy Kovalchick
Plans after high school: Attend Washington & Jefferson College to study environmental science and continue playing basketball.
Favorite school subject: mathematics
Favorite Food: Grilled cheese and tomato soup
Foods you don’t want to eat: All seafood
Favorite video game: “Mario Kart”
Favourite sport: Basketball because I like the speed and the team aspect.
When and why did you start playing basketball? I started playing in second grade because I was always very tall, but then I just kept going for the fun.
Pre-game rituals: I eat a grilled chicken salad before the game and I have to listen to Al Stewart’s Year of the Cat.
Biggest inspiration: My parents. They show me that I can do anything if I work hard and they are always there for me.
If you had a baseball-style walk-up song, what would it be and why? “Plain Jane” by A$AP Ferg and Nicki Minaj. It’s just a fun song.
Favorite part of the competition: The adrenaline rush.
Preferred competition location: Home.
The most important thing you learned as an athlete in Indiana: Don’t take my playtime for granted because it goes by so fast.
Something your trainers taught you and always try to remember: “It’s not baby play” and always hard work.
How did it feel to post a career-high 28 points against Plum last week? It felt really good, but I wouldn’t have gotten as many without my teammates.
Key to success this season: Our patience and ability to control the speed of the game.
Potential of the team: The potential is really high as we are quite a young team and the upper class are great leaders.
How do you continue to maintain success as a team and as an individual? Keep working hard as a team and increasing the intensity every day.
Goals for this team: Winning our section and making it to the WPIAL 5A Championship.
