The Indiana High women’s basketball team runs through WPIAL’s Class 5A Section 1, and senior Katie Kovalchick helps lead the way.
The 6-foot-3 center forward had a career-high 28 points in a 67-37 win over Plum on Jan. 16. It’s just one of seven section wins for the 11-5 Indians, who remain the only undefeated. team in their section and lead Woodland Hills by two games.
Since losing to District 10 powerhouse Kennedy Catholic on Jan. 3, Indiana has won five straight, all against division foes, before losing to South Fayette on Monday night.
Kovalchick went 6-for-8 and had 14 points in Thursday’s 50-31 win over Penn Hills. She scored 13 field goals against Plum for her career-high total.
Here’s a look at this week’s Athlete of the Week.
Parents: Joe and Stacy Kovalchick
Projects after high school: Attend Washington & Jefferson College to major in environmental science and keep playing basketball.
Favorite school subject: Math
Favorite food: Grilled cheese and tomato soup
Foods you refuse to eat: All seafood
Favorite video game: “Mario Kart”
Favourite sport: Basketball because I like speed and team spirit.
When and why did you start playing basketball? I started playing in second grade because I was still very tall, but I continued because of all the fun.
Pre-match rituals: I eat grilled chicken salad before the game, and I have to listen to “Year of the Cat” by Al Stewart.
Biggest Inspiration: My parents. They show me that I can do anything if I work hard, plus they’re always there for me.
If you had a hit song like in baseball, what would yours be and why? “Plain Jane” by A$AP Ferg and Nicki Minaj. It’s just a fun song.
Favorite part of the competition: The adrenaline rush.
Favorite place to compete: At home.
The most important thing you learned as an athlete in Indiana: Don’t take my playing time for granted because it goes by so quickly.
Something your coaches taught you that you always try to remember: “It’s not baby’s play” and to always work hard.
How did you feel scoring a career-high 28 points against Plum last week? It was really good, but I wouldn’t have had so much without my teammates.
The keys to this season’s success: Our patience and ability to control the speed of the game.
Team potential: The potential is really high, we are quite a young team and the upper classes are great leaders.
How do you continue to maintain the level of success as a team and individually? Keep working hard as a team and pushing the intensity every day.
Goals for this team: To win our section and access the WPIAL 5A championship.
