Westmoreland athletes of the week: Belle Vernon’s Aubrey Brown, Mt. Pleasant’s Noah Lahm

By: Bill Beckner Jr. And Paul Schofield
Saturday, February 21, 2026 | 7:11 PM

Previous Next

Aubrey Brown

School: Belle Vernon

Class: Sophomore

Sport: Basketball

Claim to fame: Brown, a 6-foot-2 forward who can also play on the perimeter, scored 24 points, including five 3-pointers, as the Leopards defeated Lincoln Park, 85-60, in the first round of the WPIAL 4A playoffs.

Brown, who has a college offer from Kent State, added 10 points and seven rebounds in a 61-56 loss to Elizabeth Forward.

Belle Vernon won its first section title since 1999.

What was it like to get the opening playoff win?

After losing a tough playoff match last year, it felt exciting knowing all our hard work is paying off.

You made five 3-pointers. Do you normally shoot a lot from the arc, and were you feeling it that game?

Not as much as I did against Lincoln Park, but I’ve been putting the extra work in and building my confidence. Once I hit my first shot, I was confident.

What has it been like to be part of the section-title run?

It is a phenomenal experience for the program and the team.

Your team is one of the tallest in the WPIAL. How much has the size played into the team’s success?

Since rebounding is a little easier with our size, we get a lot of second chances offensively.

Are you hearing from any other Division I schools?

Mercyhurst and Buffalo.

Was the team motivated to play Elizabeth Forward again?

Yes because it is always a rivalry between both teams, hence the big crowds.

How key is the role of the guards in your offense?

The guards set up for us offensively, and with them on the court it’s more comfortable.

What have you tried to improve in your game this season?

I’ve been putting in the extra work shooting wise. I also have been working on my handles and post moves.

Do you think you are done growing?

Not sure.

Your mom was battling an illness last year. How is she doing now?

She has been feeling better and being more active.

Do think the WPIAL will benefit from a shot clock in a couple of years?

Yes, I believe it will prepare future athletes for college.

What rule would you like to see changed in the WPIAL?

Like college, I would prefer it if we didn’t have to tuck in our jerseys.

Did the team have a watch party for the playoff pairings?

Unlike last year, we unfortunately did not.

What kind of basketball shoes do you wear?

I wear Dwyane Wades.

Do you watch the NBA or WNBA?

When I go to AAU tournaments, my team and I go to WNBA games frequently. Occasionally, I will watch NBA clips.

Who is your favorite pro team and player?

My favorite female player is Paige Bueckers, and my favorite male player is either Kobe Bryant or Kyrie Irving. I am unsure of what team.

Will you watch the Winter Olympics?

Yes.

Do you ever wonder what life would be like if you’d have stuck with wrestling instead of basketball?

My eyes are set on playing professionally at the next level. I haven’t really thought about ever going back to wrestling.

Noah Lahm

School: Mt. Pleasant

Class: Senior

Sport: Diving

Claim to Fame: Lahm won his first WPIAL Class 2A diving title Friday with an impressive performance. He also was a Westmoreland County Coaches’ Association champion.

How was your season?

It was exciting. I was expecting to win the WPIAL title. I knew I had a chance at placing. I finished eighth last year.

What was the key to winning your first title?

I was not completely satisfied with my performance. I felt I could have done better. It was consistent enough. I have a couple weeks to work on my mistakes.

When did you start competing in diving?

Two years ago. David Mutter encouraged me to try it. I did not know the school had a diving team.

Do you compete in another sport?

A do a lot of freestyle skiing. I also coach and compete in parkour. It is a sport that involves moving rapidly through an area, typically in an urban environment, negotiating obstacles by running, jumping and climbing.

Talk about your success in freestyle skiing.

I am going to my fifth nationals. I placed 12th in the half pipe when I was younger.

What are your state goals?

I want to do my best.

Who got you started in freestyle skiing?

My older brother Keegan.

What type thrills do you get from competing?

I am a bit of a daredevil. I like to push the envelope.

Do you watch the Olympics and if so, what are you watching?

I like the freestyle skiing, and I watch the U.S. women’s hockey team because my cousin plays on the team — Lee Stecklein.

What is your favorite class?

AP biology. Chemistry.

Where do you and your teammates head for a snack after practice or a game?

We go to Olive Garden. I get the shrimp scampi.

What is your favorite meal?

I like a lot of things my mom makes. Her wild rice soup is the best.

What is the next movie you plan to watch?

I am going to watch “When Evil Lurks.” It is a horror movie.

What is your favorite movie?

I like “The Hobbit.” It was the first PG-13 movie I was allowed to watch.

Have you ever met a celebrity?

Yes. Tom Wallace, my cousin, and Steve on You Tube.

What type of music do you like?

Heavy metal. Knocked Loose.

Where is your favorite vacation spot?

We go to Madelin Island in the Great Lakes.

Where do you hope to visit in the future?

I would like to visit Iceland, Greenland, Thailand, Spain and the Philippines.

What do you do away from diving and freestyle skiing?

I am a gamer. I also like to climb cliffs near my house.

If you were to have lunch or dinner with someone special, who would it be?

I would like to talk to New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani and talk about politics. I would like to get into politics someday.

Tags: Belle Vernon