A-K Valley athletes of the week: Fox Chapel’s Lyla Jablon, Freeport’s Aiden Bauman

By: Ted Sarneso
Saturday, February 21, 2026 | 1:43 PM

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Lyla Jablon

School: Fox Chapel

Class: Senior

Sport: Basketball

Claim to fame: Jablon dropped 24 points to power the No. 7-seeded Foxes to a 60-58 win over No. 10 seed Latrobe in the Class 5A first round. She then led Fox Chapel in scoring with 22 points in a 72-44 loss to No. 2 Thomas Jefferson in the quarterfinals Wednesday.

What vibes did the team have coming off a win over Plum to close the regular season?

We had a lot of confidence and our connection with each other was super strong at that point because we were on one of our best winning streaks. Our energy was super high both on and off the court. We were really excited going into the playoffs because we worked so hard to get there.

The team lost in the first round last year. What were your feelings in clearing that hurdle this year?

It was super exciting. The Latrobe game took a lot of hard work. It wasn’t our prettiest game but we stuck with it the whole time. We are so dedicated to winning, we wanted it badly.

The Latrobe game was close throughout. How did the team lock in defensively after Bella Geller made the go-ahead 3-pointer?

After Bella made that 3, we realized we were in the game and we could win it. We wanted to get a stop and get either more points or hold the ball.

You were tasked with guarding Maggie Meiers, who is 5-foot-10. You’re 5-4 so how much of a challenge was that for you and how did you prepare for that matchup?

I switched on to her myself, sort of made my own call on the court. I’ve played against bigs before, especially a lot of tall girls in AAU ball, and I felt that helped me. I tired to box her out more and let everyone else grab rebounds.

Do you always have that freedom to make calls like that and, if you do, how does it feel knowing the coaches trust you?

I do have that freedom, but I always check with Coach Matvey to make sure he’s good with it beforehand. But he does have a lot of trust in me to make decisions like that in the moment. A lot of my defense is running to the ball or to whoever is doing well in the game.

You also played the last four minutes of that game with four fouls. How difficult was it to adjust your style of play to remain in the game and help the team?

I’m unfortunately used to playing with a lot of fouls. I do have to keep it in the back of my head that I have four fouls, but that doesn’t stop me from being a good defender, being aggressive. I knew I had to stay in the game and not make any ridiculous steals or anything like that. It doesn’t affect me as much as you think it would. My dad tells me before every game to watch my fouls.

What were some things Thomas Jefferson did to stifle your offense?

It was more about us and our defense. They were really fast in transition and had some really good shooters. They had a really good system of cutting, making lanes for people. Our defense didn’t help our offense in that game, which is what we’re used to.

Despite the loss, the team qualified for the PIAA tournament. You lost your first consolation game to Indiana. How will you regroup and focus on making a run?

We play another consolation game on Tuesday, so we’re coming in on Sunday for a big practice. Hopefully we get a win on Tuesday, which will set us up for success. We’ll have a four-day break to regroup. My dad has a gym, Elevate, that he’s going to open up every night and we’ll get some shooting in and work with some trainers then come back to two more practices and a scrimmage.

As one of the veteran players on this roster, what do these experiences in the playoffs do for the young group that returns next year?

It builds their confidence for when they make the playoffs again. We all have fun and it’s very exciting going into playoffs or states and driving on a bus together for an hour. I think they’ll value those moments.

What were some highlights for you throughout the season?

Being with the team in the locker room before and after games, especially after a win. Winning the Plum game was super exciting. The Franklin Regional game was a big highlight because it was a great team win.

What were your individual goals at the start of the year?

I set goals to be a good leader for these girls. I think I did a good job at that. I knew what I had to do on the court, but I wanted to help set the team up so that we had a good team dynamic.

What have you learned from playing sports?

Hard work pays off and there are going to be tough times, but you have to keep pushing through them. I learned a lot about my work ethic that has translated over to school. I’ve built great relationships and have learned great life lessons.

Was there an opponent you looked forward to playing the most in your four years?

I love playing against my AAU teammates. As far as teams go, we always have a rivalry with Shaler and Armstrong, so those games are always fun.

Do you play any other sports at school?

I run track. The 4-by-400, sometimes the 200 and this year I’m doing the 300-meter hurdles.

Favorite subject in school?

AP biology.

People would be surprised to know ___.

That I was ranked 21st in the nation in diving at some point in my life.

Why did you give up diving?

I gave it up in high school because it’s the same season as basketball.

What are some of your favorite hobbies other than basketball?

I like weightlifting, finding new spots to study and I really enjoy hot yoga with my friends. Even though I don’t get to do it often, I love to surf.

Any Olympic sport you’ve been keeping an eye on?

No, I haven’t had the time to keep tabs on that.

What will you miss the most about high school basketball?

Being able to be with my dad, since he’s an assistant coach. Just him being at every single game. We have a strong bond and have shared a lot of great memories. He’ll be at my college games, but I will miss him being on the bench.

Aiden Bauman

School: Freeport

Class: Senior

Sport: Hockey

Claim to fame: Bauman reached the 100-point mark for his high school career in a game against Richland on Wednesday where he scored a pair of goals. The Yellowjackets captain added two more goals on Thursday against North Catholic to run his career total to 102 points. Bauman led Freeport (0-17-1-1-1) in goals (20), assists (14) and points (34) this season.

How does it feel to score 100 points in your high school career?

It feels special. I think there have only been five or six people who have done it. It’s been a goal of mine since freshman year, so it feels pretty good.

How did it happen?

We had the puck in their zone for a while and one of their players got the puck behind the net, threw it around the wall and I waited for it to come to me and it was a quick shot from the top of the circle. I’m pretty sure it was unassisted as well.

You’ve scored 20 goals this season, the most you’ve had in a single season. What was it like to be the go-to guy this season?

It felt good to be able to score with all the teams we faced. I knew that if we had any chance of winning, I needed to be the one to score.

You led the team in points all four years. What does it take to become the leading point getter for a team over a sustained period of time?

You just have to put in the effort every shift, every game. You also have to look for assists as well, not just goals. You’ll get a lot more points racking up assists. Also making the right play, you’ll end up with plenty of goals and assists by doing the right thing.

How instrumental have your teammates been over your career in helping you achieve this milestone?

A lot. They’ve been a big part of it, especially my freshman year. The seniors I played with that season were a huge part of it.

I imagine there is a lot of shot taking in your offseason regimen, but what else do you focus on as you get ready for a season?

Being in the gym, working out every day, and getting as much ice time as you can before the season. It’s hard to come back because I take pretty much the entire offseason off to play golf.

Must have been a trying time this season. What did you learn from the experience and adversity you faced?

That it’s not always about the wins or the points. It feels a lot better to accomplish something when there’s adversity. If it was easy, like if I was on Quaker Valley and scoring 60 points a season like they do, it wouldn’t feel as good as scoring 100 points on a team that has put up as many points as we have the last four years.

What have been some of your favorite memories of high school hockey?

Freshman year, playing with those seniors in what was our best year in my four-year career. Then I would say being named an all-star all four years.

What did it feel like to earn that recognition?

It feels great, especially when it’s your freshman year. Those games are fun, going up against some of the best players and playing with guys you might not otherwise.

What were your individual goals at the start of the year?

Just the 100-point goal. That was the only goal I had. But then once I found out I was selected as captain, the side goal became to be the best captain I could and help out the freshmen and newer kids on the team.

What lessons or teaching moments did you have with those younger players that you hope they can take with them over the next three years?

Just stay calm whenever we’re losing, which happened a lot. They didn’t handle it well, but you have to stay level-headed and stay in the moment.

What gets you in the zone prior to a game?

I visualize what I want to have happen. I also have a set routine. I listen to the same music, get dressed in the same spot. I’m in my own head a lot of the time, don’t talk too much.

Favorite pregame meal?

Any kind of pasta is good.

Do you play any club hockey?

Yes. I play for Pittsburgh Vengeance. It’s fun, but I enjoy high school hockey more, just a different atmosphere.

Do you play any other sports at school?

Golf.

What’s your best score in golf?

This year, my best score was a 35. I shot that in a couple of matches.

Favorite subject in school?

Not really, if I had to pick one, it would have to be history or economics.

What are some of your favorite hobbies other than hockey and golf?

I love to fish.

Favorite NHL player?

Patrick Kane.

Is there any player you try and emulate?

Everyone tries to emulate (Sidney) Crosby because he’s the best to ever do it both ways. But offensively, I’d say there’s some of Kane in my game.

Have you been tuned into Olympic hockey?

I’ve been watching all the games.

Who do you think wins, USA or Canada?

I want USA to win, obviously, but I wouldn’t mind seeing Crosby win another gold medal. I just think Canada is too strong for USA to win.

What are your future plans?

I’m going to PennWest to study golf management and play hockey down there as well.

Tags: Fox Chapel, Freeport