Pine-Richland notebook: Madison Zavasky hits 1,000-point mark

By: Jerin Steele
Saturday, January 20, 2024 | 11:01 AM

Madison Zavasky joined elite company Jan. 8, becoming just the fourth player in Pine-Richland girls basketball history to reach 1,000 points.

She joined Rams all-time leading scorer Amanda Kalin, Carrie Walker Kelly and Kristen Wisse. Zavasky is the first girls basketball player to hit the 1,000-point plateau since 2017 when Kalin set the scoring record.

The feat was achieved during a 47-41 loss to Seneca Valley.

Zavasky, an IUP recruit, has played a big role in Pine-Richland’s three wins. She had 23 points in the Rams’ first victory, a 61-56 triumph over McDowell, on Dec. 29. She followed that up with a 32-point night in a 59-32 win over Hempfield in the Section 1-6A opener Jan. 3.

On Jan. 15, she had 19 in a 50-33 win over Butler. That victory put Pine-Richland in fourth place in Section 1.

Section play resumes for the Rams on Jan. 30 at North Allegheny.

In the mix

The only constant in Section 1-6A boys basketball this year is unpredictability.

Pine-Richland has been keeping up in the topsy turvy section.

The Rams were 6-6 overall and 2-3 in the section, good for fourth place through Jan. 16.

They have wins over Seneca Valley and New Castle and losses to Central Catholic and North Allegheny. The first round of section play was scheduled to be finished on Jan. 16, but Pine-Richland’s game with Butler was postponed due to inclement weather. It was rescheduled for Jan. 18.

Pine-Richland has had different players step up in the scoring department in their section wins.

Carson Baer scored 14 and Grant Spacciapolli had 11 in the 58-43 win over the Raiders. Andrew Mendelovich led the way with 16 and Eli Wentz scored 13 in a 62-49 road win at New Castle.

Every team in Section 1 has at least one loss. It’s one of two sections, along with Section 1-A, that does not have an undefeated team as of Jan. 16.

Henne picks Pitt

Calle Henne still has two more seasons to play with Pine-Richland softball, but she’s already planning for the future.

On Jan. 12, Henne announced on social media that she has committed to Pitt.

Henne, an all-state and all-WPIAL catcher last season for the Rams, plays travel ball for Team Pennsylvania Hall.

She joins teammates Jocelyn Langer (Millersville), Mackenzie Gillis (Mercyhurst) and Izzy Sulesky (Susquehanna) as future college athletes.

The Rams have made the WPIAL Class 6A semifinals each of the last two seasons.

Jerin Steele is a freelance writer

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