A-K Valley athletes of the week: Springdale’s Ashlyn Ferderbar, Cheswick Christian’s Joe Rosio

By: Ted Sarneso
Saturday, January 11, 2025 | 3:54 PM

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Ashlyn Ferderbar

School: Springdale

Class: Senior

Sport: Basketball

Claim to fame: Ferderbar scored 16 points on Wednesday night to help Springdale (7-7, 4-2) to a 32-29 section win over Sewickley Academy. The senior point guard then led all scorers with 18 points in the Dynamos’ 42-31 win over Western Beaver.

It’s been a streaky start to the season for the team. Started off with four losses and then four wins. What was the mindset during both streaks?

During the beginning we had some new players and the majority of our starters were the same from last year, so it came down to building that chemistry with the new players and getting closer as a team as the season has gone on.

What role did you play in bringing the team together as a senior leader?

It was really important for me and my fellow senior, Clare Schneider, to encourage the freshmen, because when we were freshmen that encouragement was lacking. We just wanted to be uplifting with those girls and we did a lot of team bonding at the beginning of the season like going to breakfasts to encourage that bonding.

Currently the team sits in a playoff spot. What are you going to need to do as a group to make sure you stay in that position?

Just continuing to show up for practice and working hard. Developing communication on the floor is going to go a long way for us to continue winning.

That journey starts on Monday against St. Joseph to close out your first trip through the section. How confident is the team in getting a win there and starting another good streak as you begin the second trip through the section?

We’re taking it one game at a time. Our practices right now are getting us prepared for that game against St. Joseph and we’re going to go in confident.

Was the game against Sewickley Academy as defensive as the final score suggests?

They had really good defense on me, and I had to rely on my teammates to pick me up and they did. It was really close. Our team effort and defense won that game.

Can you describe the 18 points you scored against Western Beaver on Thursday?

We came out strong and we wanted to hold the lead we had. We tried to pass the ball, get a lot of ball movement because that’s how we felt we could best break their defense. That led me to the opportunity to score as many points as I did.

You scored 31 points in your team’s win over Eden Christian on Dec. 16. Is that a career high for points in a game for you?

That is. It was a really fun game.

What did it feel like to score that many, and what was going through your mind that evening?

It was so surreal I didn’t know how many I had during the game, so to finish out and hear the final total from my coach, I was in disbelief. It was still a team effort, and I fell like everyone contributed to that win.

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

I wanted to have fun. I put a lot of pressure on myself. I also wanted to get my teammates more scoring opportunities and move the ball more.

What gets you in the zone prior to a game?

I have a bit of a shoulder injury, so I have to go the trainers and get it wrapped. I listen to music while that’s going on.

Any particular music you listen to?

I like worship music, so I tend to listen to that beforehand.

Do you play any other sports at school?

I also play softball. I’ve been a pitcher the past two years, but I’m normally a shortstop.

Favorite subject in school?

I love math. Something about having a rubric and an equation to follow. I love the organization and solving.

What are some of your favorite hobbies other than basketball?

Going to youth group in church and I read a lot in my free time.

What was the last book you read?

It was a thriller by Freida McFadden. I love her books.

Who inspires you?

Honestly, God. I want to live a life that represents him.

Do you have a New Year’s resolution?

My New Year’s goal was to figure out where I wanted to go to college.

What are your future plans?

I plan on being an architectural engineer. I got accepted into a bunch of schools, but I’m leaning toward Penn State University.

How did you stumble upon architectural engineering?

I grew up always watching HGTV and watching the houses being built was inspiring to me. The engineering just involves math, so it’s just putting those two things together.

Do you hope to play basketball in college?

Not competitively, but I’d love to play intramural or on a club team.

Joe Rosio

School: Cheswick Christian Academy

Class: Junior

Sport: Basketball

Claim to fame: Rosio scored 24 points as Cheswick Christian (5-5, 1-0) opened its section schedule with a 69-32 win over Westmoreland Christian in the SWCAC. Rosio, a guard, is one of Cheswick’s leading scorers, averaging 16 points a game.

How did it feel to be a part of a SWCAC championship team last season?

That team was one of the best teams we’ve had in our school. To have Grant Rochkind, who scored over 1,000 career points and went off to play college ball at Valley Forge, as well as his brother Brady and myself gave us a lot of people who could score.

You were one of two returning starters. What did you learn from playing with last year’s seniors?

Just how to be a leader on the team. Something that was unseen from Grant was just how great a leader he was. Brady is one of our leaders as well, and he’s grown into that role.

Do you feel any pressure being a leader?

Not really. After being with those guys last year, you just feel ready for it.

What is it you’ve been trying to teach the younger players and new starters?

You just have to put in work outside of practice. It’s more during the offseason where you have to put in the work and I feel that we’ve seen that from this year’s group. They’ve gotten better from last year and have started to grow into their roles. Sam Kostick has become a seventh man for us, and Naz Weaver has also been a guy we’ve relied on off the bench.

How do you like the tough nonsection schedule you have faced in recent years?

It makes us better when we play team like Aquinas Academy and Springdale. We see a lot better competition from teams like that than we would in our league.

You’ve put up some big point totals, with 29 versus Propel Montour. Is that the most you’ve ever scored in a game?

No. I had one game versus Trinity that was a little more than that.

To what do you attribute your scoring prowess?

My teammates trust me to take the shots that I do. God has given me this ability and I just try to use it the best I can.

Now that you are getting into section play, what’s the confidence level that you can make a similar run toward another title?

We’re pretty confident. We just have to take this season game by game and focus on the next game.

Are there any pro or college players that you try to emulate or model your game after?

Steph Curry. I shoot a decent number of 3s, and I try to use the same off-ball movements that he does.

What about his handles?

I’m not there yet, but working on it.

Do you have a pregame routine?

I shoot close and work my way back, form shooting. I also pray before every game.

What were your goals at the start of the year?

Scoring 1,000 points for my career.

How close were you at the start?

Like 350. Right now, I’ve got 190 left to go. Brady will also get that at the end of the year. He’s probably 240 away.

How’s it feel that you and Brady will follow Grant in getting over 1,000 points for you careers?

It’s just crazy. Last year’s team would have had four 1,000-point scorers on that team had Brady and I scored just a little bit more and if Sean Louis had played with us in ninth grade. I’m just happy to be a part of it.

Which opponent do you look forward to playing the most?

Portersville Christian. They’re one of our better competitors from the SWCAC, and I’ve been playing with those kids since I was in fifth grade, so it’s always fun to go play them.

What is your favorite subject in school?

Bible class.

Favorite meal?

Homemade burger and French fries.

Favorite pro sports team?

The Golden State Warriors.

Do you hope to play in college?

I hope so.

Do you have a New Year’s resolution?

To grow in my faith in God.

Tags: Cheswick Christian, Springdale