A-K Valley Spotlight Athletes: Highlands’ Johnny Crise and Plum’s Kennedie Montue

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, February 14, 2018 | 11:09 PM

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Johnny Crise

School: Highlands

Class: Sophomore

Sport: Basketball

Report card: Factor in Crise's size and skill, and he is a handful for opposing teams. The 6-foot-6 Crise scored a game-high 21 points in a 67-48 win over nonsection rival Freeport on Monday night. He ranks third on the Golden Rams (17-4) in scoring, averaging (12.4 points). Crise also starts at at wide receiver for the football team.

What are your thoughts on Highlands earning the No. 2 seed in the Class 5A bracket?

I think it's well-respected and that we earned it. At the beginning of the season, a lot of people slept on us.

Highlands won't play a game until Feb. 23. Would you rather keep playing or take the bye?

I personally would rather keep on playing. I think my team would like to rest up and get our bodies well and go from there.

The Rams will face the winner of No. 7 West Allegheny and No. 10 Laurel Highlands in the quarterfinals. Are you going to travel to Peters Township to scout the teams?

We'll probably get something together to go down and watch them. That would be the smart thing to do.

What are your thoughts on the potential semifinal matchup with Section 3-5A rival Franklin Regional?

We've been thinking about that ever since we beat them. If we do play them, it's going to be a dogfight.

Is there a team motto for this year?

“Run as One.” If you got one of us, you have us all.

Who is the most underrated player on the team?

I personally think Christian Tanilli or Romello Freeman. They both bring great energy to the court.

Who is the comedian in the locker room?

You have to give that to me. I try putting a smile on everyone's face at least.

What's it like to play for coach Tyler Stoczynski?

He's been to the next level. He knows when to get on you and then tell you when you've done a good job. He's a teacher at Highlands, and if he hears that you're acting up, he'll pull you out of class and call you out right there. He just wants the best for you.

What three words best describe you?

Funny. Athletic. Tall. I get a lot of people that come and say, “Man, you're tall.”

What size shoe do you wear?

13.

What three people would you like to have dinner with?

Kobe Bryant, Selena Gomez and Kevin Hart.

What is your favorite subject at school?

I like math the most.

What is something interesting about you that nobody knows?

One of my biggest hobbies is ping-pong.

Who's better, you or your brother Logan?

I got to give it to me.

Kennedie Montue

School: Plum

Class: Freshman

Sport: Basketball

Report card: Montue is perhaps the Mustangs' most versatile player. The 5-foot-11 guard/forward has the size and talent to play all five positions. In just her first season, she leads playoff qualifier Plum (6-16) in points per game (12.8) and rebounds per game (6.4).

What's it like starting as a freshman in Class 5A?

To help the team out as a freshman feels really good and helps me build up my leadership. It's a process.

How have you improved as a player this year?

I've grown up. My defense has been the best thing that I've built up on this year.

Plum has gone through some peaks and valleys this year. What did this team learn about itself?

To play as a team. We just came together as a team, and that's what got us to win our games and make it to the playoffs.

How did the team celebrate after beating Section 4-5A rival Franklin Regional and clinching a spot in the postseason?

Our coach wanted to take us to Philadelphia, because he's from there, and we don't want to go to Philadelphia. He said, “Fine, you guys make it to the playoffs, I'll take you to (a tournament at) Disney next year.”

What's the one thing Plum needs to do to upset No. 1 seed Trinity this Friday?

We just need to play as a team and play our defense. When we play our defense, it leads to offense.

Is there a team motto for this year?

“Execute.”

Who is the most underrated player on the team?

I'd have to say Alex Seigh. She's one of those players who doesn't like to shoot, but when she does, it goes in.

Who is the comedian in the locker room?

Alex (Seigh) makes a lot of jokes.

What three words best describe you?

Outgoing. Confident. Smart.

What three people would you like to have dinner with?

Michael Jordan, LeBron James and Klay Thompson.

What is your favorite subject at school?

Advanced geometry.

What is something interesting about you that nobody knows?

I have a lot of shoes, probably like 30-40 pairs.

Which pair is your favorite?

My light pink Nike LeBron XIV's.

Tags: Highlands, Plum