Trib HSSN boys basketball player of the week – Nathan Schanbacher

School – North Hills

Class – Junior

Height – 6-foot-3

Position – Guard

#Earned – It was a big week for one of the hottest boys basketball teams in Class 6A and their leading scorer. Junior guard Nathan Schanbacher led the way for a North Hills team that picked up its sixth and seventh consecutive wins to stand alone in second place in Section 1-6A behind New Castle. In a home game Tuesday against Fox Chapel, Schanbacher scored a game-high 22 points as the Indians held off the Foxes, 63-57. In another rivalry game on Friday, North Hills made the short trek up McKnight Road to battle North Allegheny. Teammate Jackson Long enjoyed success with 25 points, but it was the junior guard who led the Indians again with 28 points as the red and white pulled away from the black-and-gold Tigers to take over sole possession of second place with a double-digit road win, 77-65.

Background – Schanbacher, who began playing basketball as soon as he could walk, would like to continue his career playing college basketball after he graduates in the spring of 2027. He said he is interested in the medical field and also has an interest in the law. While his focus in high school has been solely basketball, Schanbacher played a lot of baseball growing up as well as flag football. He hit a milestone in the game against North Allegheny on Friday when he reached the 1,000-point mark 2½ years into his scholastic career. He loves winter because of hoops and Christmas and is also a fan of a good breakfast sandwich, consisting of sausage, egg and cheese on a toasted bagel.

What coach says – “Against Fox Chapel, Nathan scored mostly two pointers,” North Hills coach Buzz Gabos said. “They did a great job of taking away the 3s and not allowing him to get to the foul line. He had to work really hard to score midrange and on drives.”

“I always get concerned when a player is going over 1,000 points because it can weigh on them,” Gabos said. “We were fortunate Nathan eclipsed the milestone in the first half, then he was able to settle in and just play. He made a few big 3s in the second half, which helped spark us.”

“Nathan is receiving a lot of defensive attention from the opponent each night,” Gabos said. “We are constantly talking about staying patient and not trying to force shots. He doesn’t get many open looks, so he has become much more efficient with his movement away from the ball.”

“We are young, with only one senior,” Gabos said. “Nathan has become a leader with his consistent scoring. He continues to improve in other areas as well.”

2025 Trib HSSN Boys Basketball Players of the Week

Week 12 – Lucas Grimsley, Sewickley Academy

Week 11 – Jude Rottmann, North Catholic

Week 10 – Jacob Guillen, Aquinas Academy

Week 9 – Courtney Wallace Jr., Neighborhood Academy

Week 8 – Bobby Fadden, Mohawk

Week 7 – Isaiah Jeter, Central Valley

Week 6 – Calvin Winfrey III, Uniontown

Week 5 – Connor Crossey, Franklin Regional

Week 4 – Colton Straight, Montour

Week 3 – Zach Pollaro, North Hills

Week 2 – Cameron Epps, South Allegheny

Week 1 – Brady Mayo, Beaver