Alle-Kiski Valley athletes of the week: Riverview’s Noah Black, Knoch’s Nevaeh Ewing

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, December 18, 2018 | 10:36 PM

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Noah Black

School: Riverview

Class: Senior

Sport: Basketball

Report card: Black has been white-hot for the red-hot Raiders, who are riding a three-game win streak. He paced Riverview’s 3-0 start with double-digit scoring figures in every game, including a 23-point effort against Aquinas Academy. The 5-foot-9 guard leads the Raiders with 19 points per game, shooting 48 percent from behind the 3-point arc and 47 percent from the floor. In the fall, Black is a member of the cross country team. In the spring, he plays center field and third base for the baseball team.

How long have you been playing basketball?

I played in middle school and in fifth grade, and I was not very good. Eighth grade was when I was began to shoot the ball (well).

What’s been the common denominator during the Raiders’ three-game win streak?

I’d say our execution of our plays has been awesome. We’re one of the more organized teams.

How confident is this team playing right now?

I think we’re playing super confident. That win against Summit Academy was huge, especially playing away like that. We feel like we can compete with anyone now.

Where do you see this team in late January?

I definitely see us competing for a playoff spot and see us as a winning team at that point.

What is the strength of this year’s team?

I’d say our quickness and ability to shoot the ball. We’re pretty much an all-guard team, a smaller team, and we use those things to our advantage.

Your grandfather is former Mt. Lebanon coach Dick Black. How has he influenced you?

He’s been the most supportive person. He and my dad have been the most supportive. He comes to all of my home games despite living so far away in Mt. Lebanon, and I really love him.

Who is the one player that everyone is going to hear about as the season goes on?

I would say Gideon Deasy. He’s only a sophomore. He started last year as a freshman. He’s going to be something special in the next couple of years.

Who is the comedian on the team?

Jack Stock, definitely. He pokes a lot of fun at people, and it’s usually all in good fun.

Who is your favorite NBA player and team?

I’m going to sound cliche but LeBron James. I don’t have a specific team. I just like to watch the NBA.

What is your favorite basketball movie?

“Semi-Pro.” That’s a funny movie.

What three words best describe you?

Kind. Hardworking. Determined.

What three people would you like to have dinner with?

Jack Black, Samuel L. Jackson and Tom Hanks.

Do you have a favorite Christmas song?

“Father Christmas,” by The Kinks.

What’s tops on your Christmas list this year?

Just clothes because I keep growing.

What is your favorite subject at school?

History.

What kind of advice would you give to your freshman self?

I’d say stick with it, keep working hard and the results will pay off. There were many times I was discouraged and questioning whether I’d be a solid varsity player.

Your brother, Thanny, is a 6-foot-1 guard on the team. Who is the better player?

I’d say I’m the better shooter. Although, he’s our second-best shooter. We support each other.

What are your plans for after high school?

I want to go Penn State, that’s my No. 1 and I was just accepted there. I was also accepted to Pitt.

Nevaeh Ewing

School: Knoch

Class: Sophomore

Sport: Basketball

Report card: The addition of Ewing, a transfer from St. Joseph, made Knoch (4-1, 2-0) one of the sleeper teams in Class 4A this season. The 5-foot-10 sophomore shooting guard put up 16 points against West Shamokin and 22 against Kiski Area to help the Knights extend their win streak to four games. She also plays AAU basketball for Legends.

Why do you like the sport of basketball?

I like it because I grew up with it. It brings out different aspects. I’ve met friends through it, and it’s a fun all-around sport.

You transferred from St. Joseph. How are you fitting in with your new team?

Really good. I went to open gyms over the summer and met a lot of the girls. We started clicking as the season went on.

What’s been the biggest difference between Class A and Class 4A basketball for you?

Probably the competition and the people that attend the games. There’s more hype in the 4A games. There’s more pressure because it’s a higher level.

How confident is this team playing right now?

We’re a young team. We’ve been doing pretty good. We’re all very competitive, and we feed off each other.

What’s been the common denominator during this win streak?

We’ve been just playing as a team, looking for that open girl, that one more pass and the open shot.

Where do you see this team in late January?

I see us as a good well-trained team that not a lot of other schools are going to want to compete with in the playoffs.

What is the strength of this year’s team?

We do have small numbers, but all of the girls on the team all get along so well.

Who is the one player that everyone is going to hear about as the season goes on?

I’m so new to the team, I can’t pinpoint one player. We’re all contributing to all of our wins.

Who is your favorite NBA player and team?

LeBron James and the Lakers. It was the Cavs until LeBron switched.

Do you have a dream college basketball school that you would like to play for?

Probably UCLA.

What is your favorite basketball movie?

“Uncle Drew.” Kyrie Irving is Uncle Drew.

What three words best describe you?

Competitive. Determined. Social.

What three people would you like to have dinner with?

LeBron James, Lisa Kudrow and Michael Jordan.

What’s tops on your Christmas list this year?

Some more athletic gear, school clothes and Nike sweatpants.

Do you have any New Year’s resolutions?

Just keeping up with everything, my studies, working hard and play basketball. Being optimistic.

What is your favorite subject at school?

Biology.

What is something interesting about you that people don’t know?

When I was younger, I used to be really short. The end of eighth grade to ninth grade was my growth spurt.

Tags: Knoch, Riverview