Freeport duo reaches 1,000
BUFFALO TWP — They took vastly different paths to get there, but Freeport's Harley Holloway and Sidney Shemanski arrived there just the same.
And nearly at the same time.
Holloway, a Freeport native who spent her first two years of high school basketball at Kiski, and Shemanski reached 1,000 career points in back-to-back games for the Yellowjackets.
Holloway, a senior guard, got her milestone at Fox Chapel Tuesday. She needed 11 points in that game and got 11.
Shemanski, a senior point guard, fell just short of 1,000 against the Foxes, but got there Thursday at home on Senior Night against Indiana.
“It's a big accomplishment,” Holloway said, also marveling at how two teammates can reach 1,000 points so close to one another. “Not a lot of players get to 1,000. I've always had the goal.”
Holloway scored exactly 600 points in her two years at Kiski before returning to her hometown team last season.
She scored 212 as a junior and had 188 as a senior heading into the game against Indiana.
Holloway's role has changed drastically. Now a sixth-man, Holloway has been a big boon off the bench for Freeport.
“I've adjusted to not starting,” Holloway said. “It doesn't really matter as long as I get playing time and I'm playing well.”
Holloway is playing well, especially down the stretch for the Yellowjackets.
She's averaging 9.4 points per game this season, but 14.5 in her last four games.
Holloway is still playing with a torn PCL in her left knee.
The injury has gotten much better since last year, when Holloway admitted it hindered her greatly at times.
“What it did was make me realize how much better I am now that it's feeling better,” Holloway said.
Holloway admitted there was an adjustment period when she returned to Freeport. But she had experience playing with many of the girls on the roster before she left for Kiski.
“They were very welcoming and excited to have me on the team,” Holloway said.
Like Holloway, Shemanski has played extensively since her freshman season.
As a junior, Shemanski had a monster campaign in which she averaged 14.6 points, nine rebounds, 4.1 assists and 3.6 steals per game.
This season as a senior, Shemanski missed four games due to illness, which slowed her down.Still, Shemanski is averaging 12 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 3.9 steals per contest.“I feel like I've been back in a groove for a month or so,” Shemanski said. “(The illness) was pretty hard, not only physically, but mentally as well, missing games and practices. That was pretty tough.”Shemanski is also a star on the soccer and track and field teams at Freeport and is being recruited by colleges in all three sports.It's been a great luxury for Shemanski but also overwhelming, she said.She smiled when asked if she had narrowed down her college choices and picked a sport she wanted to pursue at the next level.“Honestly, no,” Shemanski said. “It's hard to think I may not play soccer again or basketball again or run track again.“My mom always asks, 'Well, what's your favorite sport?'” Shemanski added. “My answer is always based on what season it is. During basketball season it's basketball, in soccer it's soccer, in track it's track.”Shemanski and Holloway are both motivated to see Freeport make a postseason run, not just because they are seniors but because of the way last year ended.The Yellowjackets were upset by Quaker Valley in the first round.Both are determined to not see that happen again.And to extend their careers.“Last year really motivated us,” Holloway said.
