JOHNSTOWN —
Name: Roshon Fields
School: Greater Johnstown
Year: Senior
Sport: Basketball
Fields’ week: Fields had the best game of his varsity career last Monday as he finished with 19 points and 22 rebounds in the Trojans’ 66-51 victory over Cambria Heights.
He followed that performance with 20 points and 14 rebounds in a 51-40 win over Bishop Guilfoyle last Thursday.
The points are nice, but Fields is more concerned with the re-bounds and being a disruptive presence on defense for Greater Johnstown.
“Every game, I set a goal for myself. I want to see if I can get 20 rebounds every game,” Fields said. “If our guards are playing well, they’ll get a lot of shots, so I try to get offensive rebounds. That’s something I like to try to do.”
Extra effort: Rebounding requires dedication and a knack for knowing where the basketball will be on a missed shot.
Fields, a 6-foot-6-inch forward, proved his dedication not long after the 2011-12 season ended. A week after last season ended, Fields hit the weight room every day. He played games at the YMCA and attended several basketball camps and showcases.
His confidence blossomed at the Keystone Camp, which was held at Edinboro University.
“My first couple games, I didn’t play that well. I was averaging about four points and six rebounds a game,” Fields said. “I started averaging 17 points and 15 rebounds against better competition, and that helped me a lot.”
Fields’ play has been a key component for the Trojans, who are 4-2 after a four-game win streak.
“He’s been doing a tremendous job. He’s literally dominated the boards for us,” Greater Johnstown coach Neil Cobaugh said. “He’s been aggressive going after rebounds and loose balls. It’s been very beneficial.”
A nice find: Fields is neighbors with Trojans baseball coach Dee Dee Osborne, which led to the former football player giving basketball a try.
“In eighth grade, I was 5-10. By ninth grade, I was 6-3. I hit a major growth spurt,” Fields said. “I didn’t think I would be good enough to play basketball.”
Cobaugh told Fields he could evolve into a major contributor by his senior season.
“He started part time for us last year but he’s only been playing basketball for three year,” Cobaugh said. “Coach Osborne told me to come and take a look at this kid. Here was this big, tall kid who wants to play basketball. The rest, as they say, is history.”
High School Sports
Athlete of the Week: Roshon Fields
- High School Sports
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South all-stars drawing bead on North quarterbacks
Forget about getting Shorty, the South defense is getting geared up to cover North quarterbacks Danny Ferens of Penns Manor and Nathan Bearer of Cambria Heights on Friday night in the 43rd annual Ken Lantzy Finest 40 All-Star Football Game.
Oh, and the Rebs, who won 44-6 last year, will also be working on containing the rest of the Yankees’ offense as well. -
Bishop McCort’s title defense derailed by Johnsonburg
Bishop McCort coach Chris Pfeil credited Johnsonburg for its seemingly unlikely, if not miraculous comeback victory over the defending state champions on Friday afternoon.
But the veteran coach also conceded that the Crushers will probably spend a lot of time pondering what might have been in the aftermath of a 7-6 loss in 11 innings during a PIAA Class A quarterfinal playoff at Punxsutawney’s Rich Kuntz Memorial Field. -
Squandered chances cost the Crushers
The Bishop McCort baseball team tasted the sweetness of winning last year in its pursuit of the PIAA Class A title.
The Crimson Crushers experienced the bitterness of defeat Friday afternoon, ending their 11-game postseason win streak with a 7-6 loss to Johnsonburg in an 11-inning PIAA quarterfinal-round contest at Rich Kuntz Field. -
Somerset’s Ian Stiffler drafted by Atlanta Braves
Somerset boasts a proud baseball tradition. So much so, that a wall at the facility shared by the Somerset Golden Eagles and Somerset’s American Legion team lists those who have been drafted by a major-league club or have moved on to play collegiate baseball.
Time to find more paint. -
Bishop McCort expects close game
During last year’s run to the PIAA Class A championship, Bishop McCort baseball ran into a District 9 team in Elk County Catholic in the semifinals.
The Crushers scored five runs in the fifth inning and eight in the sixth, and left with a 17-0 victory. -
Ligonier Valley facing unbeaten opponent
The Ligonier Valley Rams continue their trek through the state playoffs reaching the state quarterfinal after a 6-5 victory over Chestnut Ridge on Monday.
They next play undefeated WPIAL champion Riverside at 4 p.m. today at Fairhaven Park in McKees Rocks. -
Seven Northern Cambria athletes choose colleges
Alex Atkins was a standout defenseman for the Northern Cambria Colts and the Tribune-Democrat Defensive Player of the Year. Now, he will continue to play football and further his education at Division I Brown University. Atkins and six of his classmates have committed to continue their athletic careers in college.
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Ian Stiffler is Athlete of the Week
Name: Ian Stiffler
School: Somerset
Year: Senior
Sport: Baseball -
Talented group of Shade athletes commits to college
The student-athletes from Shade’s graduating Class of 2013 rank among the more accomplished in recent Panthers’ history.
“It was quite a good year,” said Shade Athletic Director Mike Pribish, who also serves as co-coach of the Panthers’ football team. “We had a lot of success in a lot of different sports.” -
Six Trojans plan to continue athletic careers
Greater Johnstown High School honored six student-athletes who will continue their careers in college, and the district recognized two senior athletes for their contributions.
The ceremony took place Tuesday afternoon at Cochran Auditorium. - More High School Sports Headlines
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