A-K Valley athletes of the week: Knoch’s Derek Lang, Plum’s Alaina Claassen

By: Bill Hartlep
Saturday, February 10, 2024 | 1:08 PM

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Alaina Claassen

Class: Sophomore

School: Plum

Sport: Wrestling

Report card: Plum sophomore Alaina Claassen won the North Allegheny girls invitational title Feb. 3, scoring a 4-0 decision over Cumberland Valley’s Aja’nai Jumper, the top seed, in the finals. The WPIAL’s top-ranked girls wrestler at 235 pounds, Claassen is 14-2 this season with 11 pins since returning from a knee injury. Last year, she finished second in the region and third in the state and is now 32-5 in her career.

How did you wrestle at the North Allegheny tournament?

I think I wrestled really good since I got back from my injury. A month ago, I got cleared.

What made the difference in the finals?

My technique was a lot better than the other girls I wrestled. With my knee, I’m not as fast as I was but I’m getting back there.

What are your goals for the WPIAL championships next weekend?

Just to win. I have to focus and work hard this last week before.

How will you prepare before then?

Multiple practices per day with some lifting and conditioning and eat the best I can.

What are some of your strengths on the mat?

The speed and technique. I’m a lot faster than the girls I wrestle, and I’ve wrestled a lot longer than all of them.

How did you get started in wrestling?

My brother and my dad used to wrestle and my grandpa. I think I was 4 (when I started).

What do you like most about wrestling?

It’s like a big family. Over the years, I’ve made some great friends that I’ve become really close with and still hang out with to this day.

Do you have any big plans for your 16th birthday (Saturday)?

Just a party.

What was the toughest part of the learner’s permit test?

It was really loud in there when I was taking it. It was multiple choice. In six months (I can take the driver’s part).

Who do you think will win the Super Bowl?

Chiefs.

If you could meet any celebrity, who would it be?

Tom Holland or Zendaya.

Do you listen to music before matches?

I do. I listen to a lot of Eminem before my matches.

What is something people might not know about you?

Everyone seems to assume that I’m mean because I wrestle, but I’m actually the opposite.

How has your freshman sister, Addison, done this year with wrestling?

She’s done really good this year. She’s improved a whole lot. It brings us together. We talk about (wrestling) all the time. We’re close anyways, but this helps a lot more.

Derek Lang

Class: Sophomore

School: Knoch

Sport: Basketball

Report card: Knoch sophomore Derek Lang poured in 17 points, including 11 in the third quarter, to lead Knoch to a 58-53 win over Highlands in the section finale Friday. The victory helped the Knights improve to 14-7 overall and 7-3 in Section 1-4A, good for second place in the section ahead of the playoffs. Lang, who also had 18 points in Knoch’s 57-46 victory over Greensburg Salem on Jan. 30, is averaging nearly 13 points.

How did the team play Friday against Highlands?

I thought we played really well. I thought we passed really well. We hit our shots and played a solid game overall.

What made the difference in the win?

Everyone keeping their composure during the game. At times, they would go on a run. We just kept our composure and kept chipping at the lead.

What did coach Alan Bauman say at halftime that motivated you to have such a good third quarter?

Just to stick with what we were doing, keep getting open shots we had. We made a couple adjustments to get players open.

What will it take to advance in the playoffs?

Just our ball movement and teamwork. That was a big part of the win (Friday). If we keep doing that, we should have no problems.

What is your role on this team?

I think I’m one of the leaders. I feel like I keep everyone in check, try to just help with our composure and get the ball moving a little bit.

What is the best thing about being 6-foot-7?

Probably just the versatility I can have, just to step out and I can also play the post.

Is it nice not being the tallest player on the team at 6-7 (6-11 center Zane Pacek)?

It’s nice I don’t always have to be in the post.

What’s the worst thing about being 6-7?

Probably sometimes having to guard the bigger guys, sometimes playing the post on defense.

How about outside of basketball?

People always staring at you because you are so tall. Everyone always looks up at you.

When was the first time you dunked a basketball?

I’d say consistently last year. I got my first in-game dunk last AAU season.

When did you hit a growth spurt?

Seventh and eighth grade is when I started to shoot up, but I’ve grown at a consistent rate.

When did you get started playing basketball?

Maybe 4 or 5. I’ve played pretty much my whole life.

Who do you think will win the Super Bowl?

I think the 49ers.

If you could meet any celebrity, who would it be?

Probably LeBron.

What is your favorite home-cooked meal?

Popcorn chicken bowl with mashed potatoes and gravy.

What is your favorite local restaurant?

Handlebar Cafe (in Butler).

Who’s the toughest player you’ve guarded?

Peter Kramer (from Hampton).

Who is the team comedian?

Jacob Fox. He’s just always trying to lighten the mood, especially in the more serious situations.

What is something people might not know about you?

That I used to be a really good baseball player.

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: Knoch, Plum