Trib HSSN boys basketball player of the week – Zach Pollaro

School: North Hills

Class: Senior

Height: 6-foot-3

Position: Guard

#Earned: The senior guard enjoyed a big week in what turned out to be a huge week for North Hills. After snapping a six-game losing streak with a win over rival North Allegheny on Jan. 10, the Indians looked to build on that success as they headed to Woodland Hills. Pollaro scored 29 points as the Indians pulled away from the Wolverines, 82-56. Next was a visit from once-beaten New Castle. The Red Hurricanes were tied for first place and had won four straight, but they were blasted by a North Hills storm. After starting the game by missing his first five shots, Pollaro hit 12 of his final 17 shots to score 32 points in the Indians’ upset of the Red Hurricanes, 69-55. History was made twice in the contest as Ralphie Blundo of New Castle and Pollaro both eclipsed 1,000 points scored in their career minutes from each other.

Background: Pollaro became the sixth North Hills boys basketball player to hit 1,000 career points. The senior guard has not made a decision on what school he will attend in the fall, but intends to play basketball at the next level. As a junior last season, Pollaro averaged 18.5 points per game and was first team all-section guard. Zach is the middle son with one older and one younger brother. Older brother Jake is a freshman left-handed pitcher at the University of Delaware while his younger brother Ty is a freshman catcher at North Hills. Pollaro said he played baseball through middle school but stopped to focus on basketball in part because, “I couldn’t hit the curveball.”

What coach says: “Woodland Hills tried to face-guard Zach, and he stayed very patient,” North Hills coach Buzz Gabos said. “He was able to make some plays on the defensive end to get a few transition baskets, and he did not force the action offensively.”

“Zach didn’t start strong offensively,” Gabos said of Pollaro’s game against New Castle. “He missed a number of shots in the first quarter and had a layup blocked. He didn’t panic. As he got into a rhythm, he was ready to shoot, and his teammates did a fine job of finding him when he was open. Zach was productive inside and outside.”

“We were surprised,” Gabos said of Pollaro’s history-making game Friday. “New Castle is an outstanding defensive team. In our first meeting, we had a difficult time scoring in the half-court. Knowing he needed 26 points for 1,000, we assumed it would happen in the Butler game. Zach has shown an ability to score points in bunches, but to reach the milestone against such a quality opponent tells you just how well he played.”

“Zach is a captain, and we rely on him to do everything,” Gabos said. “The assists and steals have always been a part of his game, but more recently, we are seeing him become a better rebounder and vocal leader of a young and relatively inexperienced group.

“We need Zach to lead by being our best player every night, which isn’t an easy task when teams try to take you away. The past two years, he didn’t have to be the best guy every night. He could pick his spots. Now he has to be, or we won’t be successful. For us to win, most importantly we need him to be efficient at both ends and continue to find ways to make a winning impact.”

2025 Trib HSSN Boys Basketball Players of the Week:

Week 2 – Cameron Epps, South Allegheny

Week 1 – Brady Mayo, Beaver