A-K Valley athletes of the week: Freeport’s Jalen Brown, Leechburg’s Brittany Robilio

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, January 31, 2018 | 6:48 PM

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Jalen Brown

School: Freeport

Class: Junior

Sport: Basketball

Report card: The Freeport motto this season is “Lane Closed” and with his aggressive defensive play and timely shot making, Brown is the first orange cone opponents must navigate through on the court. A two-year starter at guard, Brown put up 16 points in the Yellowjackets' nonsection win over Class 5A Armstrong and he came through with 19 in Freeport's 76-62 win over Section 1-4A leader Indiana. Brown averages 8.8 assists and 5.8 rebounds and ranks second on Freeport (11-5, 6-3) in scoring. He also is a member for the Freeport track and field team, where he competes in the 100-meter-dash and both the long and high jumps.

How big was last week's road win over Indiana?

It was huge. No one really expected us to win, and we went in there thinking that we could knock them off and that's what we did.

Has a friendly rivalry been established between Freeport and Indiana?

Just over the last two years or so. Last year, we went up there and got beat by 30 points and the buzzer beater (by Ben Beale) to win at the end of the game (last year).

The team motto this year is “Lane Closed.” What is your role?

Just to keep the offense going, keep everyone focused and bring energy on defense.

Coach Mike Beale calls you the “foreman.” Why?

I'm the floor general, I guess. I get everything going on offense and defense.

The Yellowjackets are 8-1 since the holiday tournament season. Is this team peaking at the right time?

We are. We're playing our best basketball right now.

What is the strength of this year's team?

Our defense. And our ability to score off the defensive end.

Who is the comedian in the locker room?

Isiah Bauman.

What three words best describe you?

Funny. Athletic. Outgoing.

What three people would you like to have dinner with?

Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan and Coach K (Mike Krzyzewski).

What is your favorite subject at school?

Math.

What is something interesting about you that nobody knows?

I can cook pretty well.

What's your specialty?

I like fettuccine alfredo.

Brittany Robilio

School: Leechburg

Class: Senior

Sport: Basketball

Report card: Robilio's game is peaking at the right moment for Class 2A No. 4 Leechburg (14-3, 9-2). The 5-foot-3 guard is riding a five-game double-digit scoring streak where she's averaging 18.8 points. She scored a career-high 26 points last week against Northgate. Robilio is also a member of the Leechburg girls volleyball team, where she started at libero.

How has it been playing with the same group of girls for the past eight years?

It's been a big advantage because we know each other's strengths and weaknesses, so we play well as a unit.

Is it going to be rough to say goodbye to this team?

For sure. It's going to be bittersweet. It's going to be a sad moment when we play our last game together.

With all the senior talent, is there pressure to win a championship this season?

Yes, there is. Since we're seniors, it's never been done and we're trying to make history. It's very important to us to win a championship.

Where can this team improve going into the postseason?

I think we need to work on sharing the ball a little bit more and not shooting as soon as we get the ball. We need to run the clock down a little bit.

Who is your favorite NBA player and team?

Steph Curry and Golden State Warriors.

Who is the comedian in the locker room?

I would say Cameron Davies.

What three words best describe you?

Athletic. Hardworking. Confident.

What three people would you like to have dinner with?

My mom, Dwayne ‘the Rock' Johnson and Kevin Hart.

What is your favorite subject at school?

English, because it's pretty easy to me.

What is something interesting about you that nobody knows?

I enjoy art. I paint and draw.

What are your plans for after high school?

I'm going to be attending Westmoreland County Community College and playing basketball and volleyball there for two years. Then, I'm transferring to Clarion or IUP for speech pathology.

—William Whalen

Tags: Freeport, Leechburg