'08 PA PG Mike Shanahan

[nybuckeye]

'08 PA PG Mike Shanahan



North Huntingdon, PA
Norwin HS
Ht: 6'5"
Wt: 205 lbs
PPG:16.0
RPG:4.7
APG:4.2
GPA:

Shanahan is a weapon all over the court, and at 6-4 will line up at point guard, shooting guard, small forward and power forward. "He knows the game and understands the game. On our level, the key component for him is that he can do everything," Washowich said. "He's a big, strong, physical kid, who's a guard. That's what puts him over the top at the high school level -- his ability to score from everywhere on the floor."

www.yourmurrysville.com/newspaper/article/68096/Boys-hoops-previews/

Profile Created 2-1-07

Credit to Big D for info included in this profile.

[nybuckeye]

PG East: For Norwin's two-sport standout, it's time to hoop it up
Thursday, November 30, 2006

By Scott Robertson, Tri-State Sports & News Service

Certain names are synonymous with their sports.

Think Mario Lemieux, think hockey. Same with Larry Bird and basketball. Think of Mike Shanahan, think football ... and basketball.

No, this is not the famed Super Bowl-winning coach of the Denver Broncos. It's the aspiring WPIAL champion point guard with the Norwin Knights' basketball team who doubles as a standout with the football team.

Credit to Big D for link

www.post-gazette.com/pg/06334/742091-361.stm

[nybuckeye]

2008 Overall Player Rankings
(Monday, 28 November 2005) - Contributed by PA Prep Report Staff
1 Tyreke Evans 6-5 WG American Christian Lousiville, North Carolina, Villanova, Connecticut 2 Terrelle Pryor 6-6 WF Jeannette Pittsburgh, Clemson, Penn State, Xavier 3 Nasir Robinson 6-5 WF Chester Pittsburgh 4 Austin Johnson 6-6 PF Cheltenham Villanova, Penn State, Temple, LaSalle, Michigan, Michigan State, Rutgers 5 Russell Johnson 6-6 WF Chester 6 Jonathan Baldwin 6-6 WF Aliquippa Marquette, Wake Forest 7 Quincy Roberts 6-4 WG Harrisburg Delaware, James Madison, Arizona State 8 Brian Walsh 6-4 WG Moon Memphis, Duquesne, Akron, Penn State, Pittsburgh, St. Joe's, Maryland, West Virginia, Xavier 9 Andrew Randall 6-6 WF Communications Tech Temple, LaSalle, St. Joe's 10 Velton Jones 5-10 PG North Catholic 11 Karon Burton 5-8 PG Chester Florida, Villanova 12 Devon White 6-7 C Strawberry Mansion 13 Courtney Stanley 6-1 PG Roman Catholic Georgia Tech, Xavier, St. Joe's 14 Jermaine Jackson 6-7 PF Reading 15 Kenny Moore 6-5 WF University City 16 Charles White 6-2 PG Simon Gratz WVU, UIC, Ohio U., Temple 17 Sammy Givens 6-4 PF ANC Siena, St. Joe's 18 Jamal Wilson 6-4 WF Neumann-Goretti Delaware, Richmond, St. Joe's , Boston College 19 Chris Kurz 6-7 C Penn Charter 20 Mike Shanahan 6-4 WF Norwin Akron, Penn State, West Virginia

www.paprepreport.com

Credit to raiderscout for link

[Retired Coach]

MIKE SHANAHAN

SCHOOL: Norwin.

WHO IS HE? A 6-foot-5, 205-pound guard and one of the top juniors in WPIAL basketball.

THE PAST WEEK: Shanahan had 26 points in a 77-54 victory Friday against Franklin Regional.

SEASON: Shanahan has helped Norwin to a 7-1 record and the Post-Gazette's No. 4 ranking in WPIAL Class AAAA. He has scored 20 or more two other times.

CHANGING POSITIONS: Shanahan has been a starter since his freshman year, playing mostly shooting guard or small forward. This season, he is seeing more time at point guard. A 6-5 point guard is quite uncommon in the WPIAL.

"I used to handle the ball before, but never brought it up the court and got teams into offensive sets like now," Shanahan said.

"It's been working out pretty good for me."

TWO-SPORT STAR: Shanahan, who averaged 16 points a game as a sophomore, is a talented receiver-defensive back in football. He had 36 catches for 698 yards this past season, and 41 tackles and three interceptions on defense. Division I colleges are showing interest in him for both sports. He has made unofficial visits to Notre Dame and West Virginia for football. Duquesne, Penn State, West Virginia, Akron and Robert Morris are showing interest for basketball.

Shanahan isn't sure what sport he will choose for college.

www.post-gazette.com/pg/06355/747881-116.stm

[Retired Coach]

Norwin rebounds from poor showing with victory

By Keith Barnes
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Saturday, January 27, 2007


When Norwin played Hempfield the first time, Norwin forward Mike Shanahan waited until the fourth quarter to make an impact.
In the rematch Friday night, Shanahan was a force from the start.

Shanahan scored a game-high 29 points, including five in the first 90 seconds and a five clutch free throws in the final minute, to lead Norwin to a 56-51 victory over Hempfield. Jason Jasko added 17 to help No. 3 Norwin (18-2, 9-1) maintain its two-game lead over Albert Gallatin (14-5, 7-3) in Section 1-AAAA.

"We really didn't say anything special to (Shanahan) and Jasko until halftime when we told them to really get to the hoop and do your thing," Norwin coach Lynn Washowich said. "There was a seven- or eight-minute stretch in the first and second quarters where we didn't get Mike and Jason enough touches and one out of every four or five possessions, Mike or Jason has to touch the ball."

Norwin was coming off a disappointing 50-48 upset loss to Kiski Area that ended the Knights' 17-game winning streak.

"There's no question that we felt, throughout the season, there were a couple of section games that they came back in that we could have gotten a loss," Washowich said. "On Tuesday, that was a game that we had control of on our home floor, and we believed that getting a win here was absolutely crucial to us."

Before the game, Hempfield (11-8, 6-4) had won four consecutive section games and was in a three-way tie for second place, but it lost yesterday after missing eight of 14 free-throw attempts.

"That was tough, and some of those were the front ends of 1-and-1s," Hempfield coach Bill Swan said. "We shot 6 of 14 from the foul line and really lost a one-possession basketball game, and I think that will let us know that we played pretty well."

In the first meeting Dec. 22, Norwin used a 6-0 run early in the fourth quarter to erase an 11-point deficit in a 50-48 victory. Shanahan keyed the comeback with three breakaway dunks that sparked the Knights' offense and lifted the team's defensive pressure.

Shanahan hit a 3-pointer four seconds into the game and helped the Knights build a 7-0 lead when he added two free throws about a minute later.

Hempfield never strung together any scoring spurts in the first quarter, but it consistently chipped away at the Norwin lead. Finally, Hempfield's Nate Perry, who scored a team-high 25 points, hit the first of his six 3-pointers with 1:29 left in the quarter and tied the game, 13-13.

Hempfield got back into the game when Norwin forward Tyler Urban was forced to the bench with two fouls with 2:04 remaining in the first quarter. Without Urban in the game, Hempfield forward Joe Sunder was able to get room in paint and score eight of his 12 points in the first half.

"The minutes that (Urban) was out, it hurt because we lost his ability to guard the other guy's post player," Washowich said. "Hempfield has a great one in Sunder."

In the second quarter, the lead changed sides six times and the score was tied twice. But when Hempfield tried to establish control, Perry picked up his third foul with 3:10 to play in the half. Six seconds later, Sunder was sent to the bench with three fouls.

"We played the last three minutes of the half without Joe, and we played the last three minutes of the game without him after he fouled out," Swan said. "We tried to protect him, but we didn't get a chance to get him out, and it was hard without Joe in there, but it's just a testament to how we played down the stretch."

With two of the team's top scorers on the bench, the Knights were able to launch a 6-0 run to give them a 25-21 lead at the intermission. Hempfield was unable to reclaim the lead, despite cutting it to one on several occasions in the fourth quarter.

"With 30 seconds to go, it was a one-possession game," Swan said. "But I was pleased with the way we played."

www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribunereview/sports/s_490570.html

[Retired Coach]

Shanahan leads Norwin to comeback win
By The Tribune-Review
Wednesday, December 27, 2006


Mike Shanahan
School: Norwin
Class: Junior
Sport: Basketball

Notable: Shanahan had 12 points and nine rebounds, as Norwin defeated Hempfield, 50-48, on Friday. Shanahan combined his defense and offense to lead Norwin to the come-from-behind victory.

"We were not playing well, and he was struggling, too," Norwin coach Lynn Washowich said. "We talked to him before the fourth quarter and said that players make plays."

During one stretch in the fourth quarter, six of eight Norwin points came on Shanahan dunks, two of which were the results of steals.

"We preach to our kids that offense if great, but if you want to win in Quad A, you have to play defense," Washowich said. "He made great defensive plays that turned into great offensive plays."

On Dec. 19, Shanahan had seven points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists in a 69-54 win over Kiski Area. Despite being the focus of Kiski Area's defense, Shanahan still played well enough to nearly record a triple-double.

"Anytime you have a 6-foot-4 kid playing the point guard is something you don't usually see," Washowich said. "He has the ability to make plays that are unordinary."

Shanahan's size and athletic ability have made him a coveted recruit in both basketball and football. He led the Knights football team with almost 700 receiving yards.

www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/s_485892.html

[Retired Coach]

Norwin boys edge Franklin in OT

Bill Hartlep
Sports Editor
Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Another Friday night, another epic boys basketball game in Section 1AAAA.

Norwin hosted Franklin Regional last week and fans at the Castle were awarded a show from both teams.

Four quarters of basketball wasn't enough to determine a winner, but the host team persevered in overtime, 73-70.

"They've played some close games like this. This is the first tight game in this atmosphere that we've played," said FR coach Doug Kelly. "I couldn't be prouder. I wish we'd have come away with a 'W,' but I couldn't be prouder of our kids."

The early edge went to the Knights, who jumped out to a 21-12 first quarter lead. The Panthers countered with a 13-8 advantage in the second quarter, but trailed Norwin 29-25 at the half.

Then the excitement began to mount. Franklin Regional had an offensive explosion in the third quarter led by sophomore point guard Nick Novak who poured in 11 points in the third stanza.

The Panthers forwards also cleaned up inside when Norwin's twin towers -- Tyler Urban and Chris Matheny -- each sat out with foul trouble. Franklin took a 50-42 edge after three quarters.

That lead would quickly evaporate as Norwin junior Mike Shanahan and senior Jason Jasko caught fire.

With just over three minutes to go, Shanahan swished a three pointer to close the gap, 58-55. Jasko added a lay-in, followed by an Urban hoop to give Norwin a 59-58 lead.

Franklin Regional's Corey Friend hit two free throws to put the Panthers up 60-59, but Norwin senior Alex Federinko hit a dramatic three pointer with one minute left to put the Knights ahead 62-60.

Shanahan added a free throw to give Norwin a three-point edge, but the Panthers wouldn't go quietly.

Neither would the fans, as both the student sections rose the decibel to near deafening.

With just 15 seconds remaining, the Franklin Regional offense moved the ball around the perimeter. The final shot fell to the hands of FR junior Dino DeFlavio. The young guard pump faked his defender and then ripped the nylon with a three at the buzzer to send the game to overtime, tied at 63.

The extra period belonged to Norwin, who took the early lead and never gave it up. The Panthers tried to pull ahead in the final 30 seconds when Friend hit a three to make the score 71-70, but Norwin would hit two free throws and DeFlavio missed a desperation three to end the game.

"We shouldn't have put ourselves in that position," Kelly said. "But obviously they've got some players who can make some plays, so do we. They made a few more down the stretch. They made some key free throws down the stretch. We missed a few key free throws down the stretch. That's why they have the record they have."

Following the game, Kelly cited fourth quarter turnovers as reason for the comeback.

"That hurts and that kills you. We always talk about in close games, against really good teams, those hurt," he said. "But I wouldn't change anything with our kids. We kept attacking. They tightened up. We just couldn't get it done in overtime."

Novak led the scoring for the Panthers with 23 points. Junior Tommy Summers added 12 points and six rebounds and Anthony Vendemia poured in 10.

Junior Mark Cepko, a 6-foot-6 forward, played in his second game since returning from an injury, and scored five points. He also pulled down eight rebounds and had six blocks.

"It's nice having Mark back, even if he didn't score a lot of points," said the Franklin Regional floor boss. "He's very active on the glass. We'll need that down the stretch. Tommy Summers played a great game. Anthony Vendemia played some great defense on Shanahan early. I'm proud of our big guys."

The win dropped Franklin Regional to 5-3 in Section 1AAAA and 10-7 overall.

www.yourmurrysville.com/newspaper/article/71335/Norwin-boys-edge-Franklin-in-OT/

[Retired Coach]

Shanahan lifts Norwin to victory
By MARK KABOLY, Daily News Sports Editor
01/13/2007


When things go right, they go right.
And for Lynn Washowich's Norwin basketball team, things sure are going right these days.

Just ask the Knights' biggest rival, Penn-Trafford.

Penn-Trafford was in perfect position to snap Norwin's 14-game winning streak when the Warriors hit a 30-foot shot with four seconds left to tie the game at 55.

But Mike Shanahan raced down the court and nailed a 3-pointer from the right side of the circle to give the Knights a stunning 58-55 victory over host Penn-Trafford.

Shanahan scored a game-high 32 points as Norwin improved to 15-1 on the season and took a two-game lead in Section 1-AAAA at the midway point.

www.heraldstandard.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17707743&BRD=1282&PAG=461&dept_id=182120&rfi=6

[Retired Coach]

Saturday, February 3, 2007
Norwin 62, Connellsville 56

Mike Shanahan scored 24 points, leading Norwin (19-3, 10-2) to a Section 1-AAAA victory over Connellsville. Jason Jasko also scored in double digits for Norwin, which still sits atop the section, as he recorded 20 points. Johnny Dilworth led Connellsville (5-15, 3-9) with 24 points and pulled down 18 rebounds.

pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/rss/s_491640.html

[Retired Coach]

Norwin clinches Section 1-AAAA title

By Paul Schofield
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, February 7, 2007

Norwin junior Mike Shanahan put on an impressive show Tuesday night at Albert Gallatin for West Virginia basketball coach John Beilein, who made the short drive from Morgantown, W.Va., to Fairchance see one of the most versatile athletes in Westmoreland County.

Shanahan scored 31 points, including a 9-for-9 performance from the free throw line, and Norwin defeated Albert Gallatin, 59-52, in a battle for first place in Section 1-AAAA.

Norwin (20-3, 11-2) clinched the section title, and Albert Gallatin (17-6, 9-4) fell into a second-place tie with Latrobe.

Shanahan was at his best with the game on the line. He scored 11 points in the second quarter to help Norwin open a 26-16 lead. The Knights led, 26-19, at halftime.

pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/rss/s_492112.html

[Retired Coach]

February 10, 2007
Norwin 67, Penn-Trafford 43 -- Alex Federinko scored 17 points to lead Norwin (21-3, 12-2) past Penn-Trafford (6-17, 2-12) in a Section 1-AAAA contest. Mike Shanahan added 13 for Norwin. P-T's Justin Edwards led all scorers with 18 points.

pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/rss/s_492667.html

[Retired Coach]

Norwin beats Penn Hills for first playoff win since 1994
By MARK KABOLY, Daily News Sports Editor
02/20/2007

Growing up in North Huntingdon Twp. in the 1990s, all Mike Shanahan knew about Norwin athletics was losing.

The football team always lost, the baseball team always lost and the basketball team always lost.

After a decade of hearing how bad Norwin was in every sport, Shanahan decided to do something about it himself.

Monday night at Gateway, Shanahan led the Knights to their first basketball playoff win since he was a toddler - a 60-56 victory over Penn Hills in a WPIAL Class AAAA first-round game.

"We don't pay attention to that stuff about us always losing," said Shanahan, who scored 14 points, grabbed eight rebounds and blocked three shots.

www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17873899&BRD=1282&PAG=461&dept_id=182120&rfi=6

[Retired Coach]

Junior leads Pine-Richland past Norwin

By Tricia Lafferty
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, February 25, 2007


There are stars and superstars, Pine-Richland coach Dave Krakoff explained, following the Rams' 40-36 victory over Norwin on Saturday in the WPIAL Class AAAA quarterfinals at Plum.
On a day when guard Mike Shanahan was Norwin's star with 17 points and helped the Knights overcome an 11-point, third-quarter deficit, Krakoff deemed Pine-Richland guard Brett Matson a superstar. The junior scored 26 points to help No. 5 Pine-Richland (18-7) advance to the semifinals Wednesday when it will face No. 9 Albert Gallatin, which upset No. 1 Moon.

"Stars make plays, can put stats up and score," Krakoff said. "Superstars can do that and lift the play of their teammates up as well. Brett has become one of those players, that not only does he take care of himself, but he makes everybody else better out there beside him. There's no question he's one of the best players in the WPIAL."

Matson scored Pine-Richland's eight fourth-quarter points, and was 5 of 6 from the free-throw line. With 5.8 seconds remaining, Matson made a foul shot to put the Rams ahead by four. That erased Norwin's chance of a comeback and the Knights' quest to make their first semifinal appearance since 1988.

No. 4 Norwin (22-4) kept its hopes alive when senior guard Alex Federinko was fouled while converting a layup, making the score 37-36 with 35.4 seconds remaining. Federinko missed the foul shot before Norwin fouled Matson, who shot 2 for 2 from the line to put Pine-Richland ahead, 39-36. With seven seconds remaining Shanahan had one final chance to tie the game, but he missed a difficult 3-point attempt, giving Pine-Richland the ball and the win.

After trailing by six at halftime and by as many as 11 in the third quarter, Norwin didn't go away easily.

"Norwin is the section champion, so obviously they are a good team," Krakoff said. "We expected that. I told (my players) in that timeout that 'Hey, this is what we talked about. Norwin isn't going to go away. We aren't going to win a quarterfinal game by 20 points. Hey, so it's a game.'"

It could have been a different game if Federinko made a three-point play out of his clutch drive or if Shanahan converted the alley-oop play Norwin coach Lynn Washowich called after a timeout with less than a minute remaining.

Plays such as Shanahan's missed 3-pointer in the final minute could have given the Knights the lead and the momentum, but Pine-Richland's composure, confidence and perseverance proved to be the difference when both teams were tied, 32-32, going into fourth quarter.

"They are pretty mature kids," Krakoff said. "I know that it's a pretty strong bond that they have. I think there's a lot of trust there. That kind of helps you against Norwin. You get in a pressure situation and one play either way can turn around a game like that, and I think there is a lot of faith both ways."

Matson and Shanahan were the only players to reach double figures in scoring. Norwin's Chris Matheny recorded five points, and Pine-Richland seniors Brian Felker and Nick Madia scored six points each.

"The main goal at the beginning of the season was to just get to the playoffs," Matson said. "And then once you clinch that and clinch the section, your main goal is the championship. It's like a burning fire in the pit of our stomach. You know that we want to get there and take it all the way."


pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/rss/s_494924.html