Trib HSSN athletes of the week: Sewickley Academy’s Isaiah Smith, Winchester Thurston’s Gia Thorpe

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, March 7, 2018 | 9:28 PM

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Isaiah Smith

School: Sewickley Academy

Sport: Basketball

Class: Sophomore

Claim to fame: Isaiah Smith is only a sophomore, but has become a well-rounded starter and leader for WPIAL repeat champion in Class 2A, Sewickley Academy. Despite battling foul trouble, Smith scored 19 points in the Panthers' 63-59 victory over rival Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. Now Sewickley Academy prepares to defend its PIAA title.

How did your second straight WPIAL championship feel compared to the title you won last year as a freshman?

Playing in my second straight WPIAL championship was very exciting because coming into the game I knew that we would have a lot more experience than OLSH and I was hoping for that to be an advantage for us, which it was. Also I felt a lot less nervous than I did last year because last year I was so amazed on how we were playing at the Petersen Events Center, and this year I knew that I would have to play a lot better because my teammates were going need my energy and leadership.

Do you feel you have taken more of a leadership role this year even though you are only a sophomore?

Yes. This year I have taken the leadership role because I'm one of the most vocal players on the team and Coach Palmer told me last year that I would need to develop that. But this year I think that I've embraced that leadership and proved to be the leader that our team has needed this year to get us over some of the obstacles that we've faced. I've done that by bringing everyone in a huddle during the game if I feel that we're rushing things too much or we're playing too much one-on-one basketball. I will tell them to just calm down and to play our game. And I really respect the seniors and juniors for allowing me to be a leader as a sophomore because most older guys wouldn't let a younger guy be as vocal as I am and listen to me, so I really appreciate my teammates for that.

With both your team and OLSH having plenty of young talent, could the Panthers and Chargers meet again in the next two 2A title games like they have the last two district finals?

Yes. I truly believe and hope that we could meet OLSH in the championship game for the next two years. I think that many players from OLSH are extremely talented and well-rounded athletes, and I know that they will continue to be hungry. I know this because Dante Spadafora, who is the point guard for OLSH, is one of my closest friends, and we've talked about how nervous he was in the first half of the WPIAL title game. Dante has proved that he's going to be great, and he's done that since we were in fifth grade where we played AAU together until last year. Hopefully, these next two years the friendly rivalry continues between us and OLSH because it's great competition and both us want to win every game.

Is there a player on the pro or college level you try to pattern your game after?

I try to model my game after Chris Paul and college players Chris Lykes of Miami and Jalen Brunson Villanova. Only because those players aren't the biggest but they play patiently on offense and facilitate and score when the team needs it. I like the way Chris Lykes play because of his court vision and shiftiness with the ball, which I feel is similar to me. I also like Jalen Brunson game because he's a very patient and humble basketball player and Coach Palmer and I have been working on trying to model my game similar to Brunson's because the more patient I am the better because my vision and explosiveness is great. I admire Chris Paul's game a lot because he's one of the most patient point guards in the NBA, and also, even though he's undersized, he's a great defender even against some of the tallest players in the NBA. I feel his defense resembles mine because I harass my opponent all the time even though he might be much taller or stronger than me.

How do you feel about the chances for a repeat in the state playoffs for Sewickley Academy and which teams are your biggest obstacles?

Yes, I think we could repeat our state title because of the amount of talent we have on our team and how good our chemistry has developed. I feel that our team's biggest obstacle of the year was getting everyone involved and not trying to do too much because all five of our starters can score 20 any night. So at the beginning of the season we struggled because all of us were trying to score every time we got the ball, and throughout the season we've learned that by moving the ball and waiting for the best shot is easier than forcing things while tryin' to go one on one. We've continued to grow together, and we don't worry so much about how many we're going to score because now we know that we just have to let the game come to us.

Outside of basketball, what are some of your other interests or hobbies?

I like to go fishing in the summer with my dad and occasionally we bring Isiah Warfield along. I also like to relax at home and watch “Friends” or even college football and basketball. And I'm always cheering for the Alabama Crimson Tide in football and Syracuse Orange in basketball.

Gia Thorpe

School: Winchester Thurston

Sport: Basketball

Class: Senior

Claim to fame: Gia is the latest Thorpe who has starred in the WPIAL following in her brother Geno's footsteps. She registered a triple-double in leading Winchester Thurston to a 76-57 win over West Greene in the WPIAL Class A girls championship game last week. She was 9 of 15 from the field and 18 of 21 from the free throw line for 36 points, and she had 14 rebounds and 10 steals. The title is the second straight district crown for Thorpe and the Bears. She remains undecided about her college choice.

How does it feel to win back-to-back WPIAL championships?

It still doesn't feel real yet. But I'm really happy we were able to pull through and do it again.

You had one of the best performances in WPIAL girls basketball championship history. Did you feel early on this was going to be a big day for you and your teammates?

Honestly none of that goes through my head when I'm on the court or even before the game. Coach told me her goal was to not let up, and that is just what I did. Fortunately I was able to knock down my foul shots.

The team decided to take a knee during the national anthem during home games this season. Was there any concern that those actions would overshadow the dominant play of your team all year?

Once we decided to take a stand it didn't matter what anybody thought.

You come from a basketball family. How has that helped you progress your game to the heights it has reached?

Even though my brother is a great athlete I wanted to make a name for myself, not be known as “Geno's little sister.”

Winchester Thurston is a small school. What are some of the things you love about the school?

I know just about everyone.

You are alone on an island for a week. What are the three things outside of food you would need to have with you to keep your sanity?

Water, tent and a weapon.

Did you watch the Oscars and how many of those movies that were nominated for best picture did you see this past year?

I didn't watch the Oscars and none of the movies.

Don Rebel is a TribLive High School Sports Network broadcaster and staff writer. Reach him at drebel@tribweb.com.

Tags: Sewickley Academy, Winchester Thurston