Westmoreland high school athletes of the week: Belle Vernon’s Aubrey Brown and Derry’s Anthony Mucci

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Saturday, January 18, 2025 | 8:39 PM


The Westmoreland County Athletes of the Week is presented by Smail Kia. Look for the tags and look for the savings at Smail Kia in Greensburg.

Aubrey Brown

School: Belle Vernon

Class: Freshman

Sport: Basketball

Claim to fame: The 6-foot-1 Brown has been a force around the basket for the Leopards. She has seven double-doubles and is averaging 13.5 points and 11.7 rebounds this season.

Brown had 11 points and seven steals as Belle Vernon ran past Mt. Pleasant, 41-18. She added 17 points and 15 rebounds in a 48-20 victory against Southmoreland.

Earlier in the season, she had 20 points in a 61-43 loss to section-leading Elizabeth Forward. She also has 18- and 17-rebound games.

What has your first year of high school basketball been like?

It was a struggle at first, but as the season went on we improved.

Did you expect to have an impact right away?

No, I knew it would take a lot of hard work in the gym.

What has been the toughest adjustment to the varsity game?

The pace of the game is way faster in high school than middle school.

How long have you been playing basketball, and do you play other sports?

I’ve been playing basketball for five years. I also play high school volleyball.

Are you done growing? Does height run in your family?

I think I’m supposed to grow 2 more inches. My dad’s side of the family were all tall.

Who is the best player you’ve gone against so far?

Erica Gribble from GCC.

What makes Belle Vernon a playoff team?

We put hard work in the gym every practice.

What AAU team do you play for?

I play AAU for Western PA Bruins.

Your brother, Elijah, is a WPIAL champion wrestler. How competitive are the two of you?

Elijah and I are very competitive. We can’t even play a board game together because that’s how competitive we are.

Have you ever tried wrestling, and has he ever tried basketball?

I actually wrestled for four years. I placed second at states twice. When Elijah was younger, he used to go to some basketball camps. He never played in a real game.

Are you originally from Belle Vernon?

I’m not from Belle Vernon. I’m from Lincoln Place (Allegheny County).

Do you have any superstitions when you play?

I don’t have any superstitions when I play.

Why do you wear No. 20?

I wear No. 20 to represent my grandfather, Bill Brown.

Who is going to win the Super Bowl?

I think the Chiefs are going to win because they win every year.

Who is your favorite pro athlete?

Kyrie Irving.

Are you playing flag football for BVA?

I am not playing flag football in high school. I might go out for track so I can stay in shape for AAU.

What size basketball shoe do you wear?

Size 11.

Who has the best pizza in the Mon Valley?

Bella’s Pizza. I like their pizza rolls.

What makes you happy?

My family and friends make me happy every single day.

What makes you sad?

My mom was diagnosed with cancer in 2024. That makes me sad.

What would you buy with a $1 million NIL deal?

I would give it to my mom for her cancer treatments.

Male Athlete of the Week

Anthony Mucci

School: Derry

Year: Senior

Sport: Wrestling

Claim to fame: Mucci (22-4, 91-21) won his second Westmoreland County Coaches’ Association title and joined his father, Blaise, as a two-time champion. He defeated Burrell junior Cam Baker in the 127-pound final and denied him a third title. He was the 51st wrestler from Derry to win a county title. He is a returning WPIAL 2A champion at 114.

You had lost to Baker in four previous matches, what was the difference Saturday?

We had not met in two years, and I definitely feel my extra work in the wrestling room paid off.

What did it mean to win a second title and tie your dad?

It meant a lot. It was definitely special to tie my dad. He was messing with me all week telling me I wasn’t going to win. I guess I showed him. I knew he was trying to motivate me.

What are your goals this season?

We want to win the section and WPIAL team title. If we don’t win the team title, we at least want to qualify for states. That would be fun. My goal is to win another WPIAL title and tie my dad and get on the podium at states. I lost in the blood round last year.

What is different about you this year?

I’ve been putting in more work in the room. I’m focused on the losses I got last year and getting revenge.

How old were you when you started wrestling?

I was probably about 4 or 5. My dad got me started, but I don’t remember anything about my first time on the mat.

What are your most memorable moments about high school?

Probably winning a WPIAL title with Mason (Horwat) and Brady (Brown). It was cool. Tying our county record for four winners was special, too.

What does winning the county title do for your confidence?

It’s definitely going to boost my confidence, as any win should. I’m feeling confident for the rest of the season. I’m still going to work hard and try to continue to improve.

Do you plan on wrestling in college?

I’d like to. I want to go to a college that offers mechanical and civil engineering.

Who did you idolize growing up?

My dad. I looked up to him because he wrestled at Pitt. I also liked Micky Phillippi and Coach (Troy) Dolan. They did a lot for Derry wrestling and Micky is one of my friends. He is an awesome coach. Being coached by him and Troy is awesome.

What wrestling club do you go to?

TDWC. The Troy Dolan Wrestling Club.

Where would you and your teammates go for a snack after practice or a match?

We go to Sheetz, and I get a chicken quesadilla.

What is your favorite meal your mom makes?

I get a steak, medium rare.

Before a match, do you listen to music to pump you up?

I like to listen Jack Johnson.

Favorite vacation spot?

We went to Indian Shore, Fla., last year and it was fun.

Do you have a dream vacation spot?

I’d like to visit Hawaii or Italy

What is your favorite class in school?

I like math a lot.

What is your favorite Pittsburgh sports team?

I am a fan of the Steelers.

If you were to have dinner with someone special, who would it be, and what would you talk about?

My family, and we’d talk about life.

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