Westmoreland athletes of the week: Greensburg Central Catholic’s Jayla Peterson, Greensburg Salem’s Tristan Gonzales

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Saturday, March 16, 2024 | 6:20 PM

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Jayla Peterson

School: Greensburg Central Catholic

Class: Sophomore

Sport: Basketball

Claim to fame: Peterson scored a playoff career-high 14 points to help WPIAL champion GCC hold off a comeback from West Middlesex and advance with a 54-45 win in the PIAA Class 2A second round. Peterson, one of the team’s top defensive players, has become a staple in the starting lineup in her first season with the Lady Centurions.

She played well on defense and grabbed 10 rebounds as GCC defeated Everett, 56-26, in the quarterfinals.

What has this season been like for you, winning a WPIAL title and making a PIAA run in your first season with the team?

It’s been great. We’ve practiced for months to get to this moment so it’s really exciting.

Most teams tend to improve as the season goes on. What has GCC improved on most throughout the year?

Throughout the season our team has improved more on reading each other better and playing together. In the beginning of the season, we didn’t click as easily because I was still fitting into the mix, but now that I understand how they all play, we all work very well together.

You must put a lot of miles on the family vehicle driving back and forth from Indiana?

We definitely do put a lot of miles on our cars since I still live in Indiana, but I’ll have my license soon so it will be easier on my family. It’s worth it, though.

What do you consider your role to be on the team?

To play defense and lock opponents up, get rebounds and score when I can.

If you were coaching against GCC, would you play zone or man-to-man?

I wouldn’t know what to do. All five of our starters are solid shooters that can also get downhill and score at all three levels. But if I had to pick, I’d say that I’d play us man and just hope for the best.

How did you get started in basketball?

I started basketball when I was about 4 years old. My grandfather and mom both coached at Indiana my whole life growing up, so I had the blessed opportunity to have (constant) access to a gym. I’d go to the gym with them and shoot around a lot. I started AAU in second grade when I played up on the third grade team and then played for a team my mom coached and ran called Sansos. Ever since sixth grade, I’ve been playing for the WPA Bruins.

Any unique talents or hobbies?

I can flare my nostrils and move my nose really fast. And a couple hobbies I have are definitely hanging out with my friends and cooking.

Are there any good athletes in your family?

Yes, my mom was a very good athlete. She ran track in high school and also played basketball. She played basketball at the collegiate level at Western Virginia Wesleyan and IUP before tearing her ACL. She’s pretty awesome.

What makes you happy?

My puppy, Loki. She’s a little Husky and is my entire world.

Tristan Gonzales

Greensburg Salem

Class: Junior

Sport: Hockey

Claim to fame: Gonzales helped Greensburg Salem reach the PIHL Class A Penguins Cup championship game Tuesday at UMPC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry, where it will face Chartiers Valley. In the playoffs, Gonzales has allowed two goals in three games and made 81 saves, including 29 against Shaler in the semifinals in a 2-1 victory.

What’s been the key to the team’s success in the playoffs?

Confidence is the key. We ended the regular season on a five-game winning streak, and we’re playing well. Our confidence is beaming.

What will it take to win the championship?

As long as we play our game and we play strong defense, we won’t be stopped.

What’s special about the team?

I’ve been playing with these guys for years. Things didn’t turn out good last year, losing in the semifinals. But we’re a close-knit group, and we play for each other. It’s been a lot of fun.

How old were you when you started to play?

I was 5. I’d go down and watch my brother play football, and I’d go to the rink and thought I could play that sport. I didn’t start playing goalie until I was 7.

Do you play any other sport?

Golf, but I’m not that good. I just started two years ago.

Do you pattern yourself after any other goalie?

A like to watch Marc-Andre Fleury. He’s my idol, and he’s my inspiration.

Do you have a favorite team?

The Minnesota Wild. Fleury plays for them, and I like to watch Kirill Kaprizov play.

Does the team do anything special before a game?

My goalie partner Ethan Patrick and I get away from the team, and we start talking about the game. We talk and chill.

Where do you go for a snack after a game or practice?

Applebee’s. I get an appetizer: mozzarella sticks.

If your mom was making you your favorite dinner, what would it be?

A flat-iron steak, rare, and mac and cheese.

What’s the last movie you watched?

“Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.”

Do you have a favorite vacation spot?

I liked Williamsburg, Va. There were a lot of neat things to do there.

Has hockey taken you to a place you’d like to revisit?

Buffalo, N.Y., and Canada.

Is there a place on your bucket list you’d like to visit?

I want to go to Minnesota. It’s has great hockey history.

What type of music do you like?

I like all music. My favorite is rap.

What type of season do you think the Pirates will have?

I’m not too excited about the season. I hope they do a little better.

What would it mean to win a Penguins Cup title?

It would mean everything. It’s something we’ve been working towards. It would mean the world for the program.

If you could have dinner with anyone, who would it be and what would you talk about?

I’d choose Patrick Roy. We’d talk about his career and the art of being a butterfly goalie and why he changed.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Greensburg C.C., Greensburg Salem