Jada Blanciak
School: Kiski Area
Class: Junior
Sport: Basketball
Claim to fame: Blanciak scored 26 points as Kiski Area (10-8, 4-5) earned a 44-24 win against Section 2-5A opponent Greensburg Salem on Jan. 24. She then dropped 15 points in a 63-31 victory over West Mifflin on Friday night.
When did you first start playing basketball?
In seventh grade. My dad and my mom had been saying how I should play, so I went for it.
You scored 26 points last Saturday and 27 on Jan. 15 against Armstrong. What was it like being the leading scorer for the team on those nights?
It felt really good. My other teammates had a bunch of points as well.
Have you ever scored more than 27 points in a game before?
No, 27 is my career-high in a game so far.
Coming into the season, was there a part of your game you were looking to improve?
I was looking to improve upon my dribbling because I’m a pretty good ball-handler, but not the best. I wanted to see the court more and be more of a guard.
What’s it like teaming up with fellow 5-foot-11 guard Gianna DeVito and being one of the tallest frontcourts in the WPIAL?
It’s really great. We’re always looking for each other out on the court. Both of us work really hard at the same time.
With her being a year older, is there anything Gianna has taught you throughout the years?
She’s boosted my confidence a lot in this sport. She gives me the ball a lot, so that’ s a plus. She taught me how to be a stronger person and to calm down during games we’re losing.
What has worked well when you guys are putting together wins?
Whenever we’re winning. Our defense is pretty good, but it could be better.
What is something the team overlooks in your losses?
We need to be better with our turnovers.
Defense was a focal point coming into this season. How hard have you worked in practice during the season to shore that up?
We’ve worked really hard. We try our hardest, go 100% during our practices.
The team is sitting in the final playoff spot in the section. What will you need to do to hold onto that spot?
We need to practice a lot harder and work on those turnovers.
What’s it been like playing for new coach Tom Brush, and what’s something new you’ve learned under his tutelage?
He’s a really good person. He pushes us a lot in practices. A really good coach.
What individual goals did you set for yourself this season?
I was hoping to score about 15 points a game to get a lot of points for the season.
What were the team’s goals?
Play better both offensively and defensively and to communicate more.
What’s your favorite meal?
Pasta.
What’s your go-to meal before a game?
Steak or pork chops with macaroni and cheese and peas.
Is there a food you detest?
I honestly like everything.
What did you do during the snow storm?
For the first day I stayed inside, but on the second day I went sledding with my friends. I went down a big hill, but it really didn’t work the best because we kept flipping the sleds.
Do you have a favorite subject in school?
Math. I just really like doing math.
Brady Rochkind
School: Cheswick Christian Academy
Class: Senior
Sport: Basketball
Claim to fame: Rochkind produced a double-double — 28 points and 15 rebounds — to lead Cheswick Christian (12-6, 7-0) to a 67-50 win over Trinity Christian on Thursday. Rochkind has amassed 752 rebounds in his career and is on pace to finish second all-time in school history at season’s end.
How did it feel to grab that double-double on Thursday?
It felt good. We had a week off where we didn’t have school, so it felt good to get back out on the court and play basketball again.
How many double-doubles do you think you’ve produced this year?
We’ve played about 15 games, so I’d say about 12 or 13.
Any idea for your career?
Probably around 40.
The team came into this season coming off a third straight division championship and second consecutive conference championship. What were your feelings after accomplishing those feats?
If you really think about it, it’s pretty impressive. I mainly keep my eyes forward on the next championship we’re trying to win with the team we have now.
You and your fellow seniors have a chance to make that four straight division championships and a possible third straight conference title. What would it mean to accomplish that?
It would be a huge accomplishment for me and the other seniors. We’ve been doing this for a while. Just to wrap up my career with another championship.
In comparing and contrasting last year’s team with this year’s, what differences and improvements do you see?
Our team isn’t too different. We do have some guys who have some expanded roles this year compared with last year. I think this team’s strength is shooting, whereas last year’s the strength was rebounding. We’re a tight-knit group and just having fun as we continue through the season.
You guys have done well on the offensive side of things, but what is your take on how the team has done defensively up to this point?
Scoring is great, but games are won on the defensive end. We really try and pride ourselves on the defensive end and we know it’s a collective effort.
You’re averaging 21.5 points a game this year. What goes into consistently posting double figures?
I put a lot of practice in during the offseason, get as many shots up as I can while I continue to work on my game. I also realize that I need to put up those numbers sometimes to help us win ball games. My teammates trust me to do that.
You and Joe Rosio have been putting up similar numbers throughout your careers. What’s that friendly competition brought out in the two of you?
It’s nothing more than a friendly competition. We trust that the other will score points. There are some battles when we compare who put up how many points in an evening. I love playing with him.
You have the opportunity to finish as one of the school’s all-time leading scorers. What would finishing in the top five mean to you?
It would be a huge accomplishment for me. I know right now I’m about 30 points away from passing my brother (Grant, who graduated in 2023). Just to be in the top five would mean a lot.
What does it mean to you to have the chance to finish second in school history in rebounding?
I pride myself in trying to get a lot of rebounds for the team. Especially this year because we don’t really have a tall team. I try to crash the boards every night.
Who would you say is the better rebounder, you or Grant?
Me. I think I rebound pretty well. I’m a tall guy, but not a big guy, but I think I rebound pretty well.
Who’s the better scorer, you or Grant?
He has a better 3-point shot, but I think we’re pretty even on the scoring level.
What were your individual goals at the start of the year?
To win the championship, but to also beat some of these WPIAL schools to prove that we can hang with them.
What’s it mean to you to go out there and put on a good showing against those WPIAL schools?
A lot of schools see us on their schedule and think it’s going to be an easy win. But we want to show them that it’s going to be a tough game and that they’re going to have to earn every point they get and that we can hang with them.
Was there a part of your game you felt needed sharpening coming into the season?
I’ve always been a 3-point shooter in my career, but I wanted to work on my mid-range game as well as driving the ball. Just wanted to be balanced in all three phases on offense. I also wanted to take care of the ball more.
What’s been the highlight of the season so far?
No specific moment. Just going out there and competing with my teammates, who are my best friends. I love having the opportunity to play one last year with them.
Favorite pro basketball player?
LeBron James. He’s been a favorite of mine my entire life.
Is there a player you sort of emulate your game after?
I mainly like to watch a lot off Kevin Durant and lately some of Cooper Flagg. They have similar builds and I like how they elevate over people.
What are your future plans after graduation?
I’m attending Southeastern University in Lakeland, Fla., and I’ll be studying sports management.
Do you plan to play basketball in college?
Not really leaning toward playing for the team, but probably some intramurals.