BVA’s Brown, EF’s Zombek earn Player honors

This week’s selections as Mon Valley Independent Players of the Week capped their seasons on opposite ends of the win-loss spectrum, but bother were part of firsts for their respective schools.

Belle Vernon Area wrestler Elijah Brown and Elizabeth Forward basketball player Chloe Zombek earned this week’s honors.

Brown, a junior, made history at BVA by becoming the first state champion wrestler in the school’s history.

Zombek, a senior, wasn’t as lucky as EF was eliminated from the second round of the PIAA 3A basketball tournament in the second round. However, her first was that the Warriors did win a first round state playoff game for the first time in 11 years.

Elijah Brown

Brown (48-1), made history by defeating Ringgold rival Jake Conroy in the semifinals and then beating Kiski’s Cooper Roscosky (41-8) in the final, 6-3.

How dominate of a year was it for Brown?

His decision over Roscosky in the final was the third time Brown beat the Kiski grappler this season.

That is dominating. As dominating as Brown has been this season, he is that unassuming, according to his coach, Bob Bove.

“He’s such a great, respectful, low-key kid,” Bove said. “He’s not used to all the attention, but he’s dealing with it. He’s signing autographs. He’s a pretty popular kid around school these days.”

Brown is the first state champ that Bove has coached in over 30 years in the sport. But the veteran coach said he thought an illness kept him from winning gold as a sophomore.

“We thought he could have made a run (in the states), but he was really sick,” Bove said. “He had a high temperature and tried to wrestle through it, but it was tough.

“We definitely had an inclination at the beginning of the season this could be his year. He’s such a talented, hard working and coachable kid. He’s very deserving.”

And he will get a chance to defend that title next season.

“Having him be so successful is huge for our program,” Bove said. “The other kids know that through hard work great things can happen. He is a blessing to our program.”

Chloe Zombek

Zombek not only helped EF win a state playoff game, but she also was part of a section champion team in her senior campaign.

Only one team closes the season on a winning note in the playoffs, and Oakland Catholic showed EF why it won the WPIAL crown.

While the loss closed down her career at EF, it definitely didn’t define it.

The 5-9 senior started three years at EF and was a two-time team captain.

Running the point for coach Noah Yartin and the Warriors, she averaged 10 ppg her senior season while also averaging 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals per game.

“She was a huge piece of our puzzle,” Yartin said. “As our point guard, she made sure our pace was the way we wanted it to be. She’s a great floor general.”

Yartin said that having Zombek was akin to having a coach on the court.

“She ran the show. There is not much she can’t do well. She’s a good ball handler, played solid defense and rarely turned the ball over,” Yartin pointed out. “She handled the ball the most for us, but was just fourth in turnovers. She was very dependable. We relied on her a lot.”

While Zombek’s basketball career at EF is over, her basketball playing days are not. She will continue her academic/athletic career at St. Vincent next year.

“She will do very well there. I have no doubt,” Yartin said. “I do know I will miss her here, that’s for sure.”