KAYLA SLOVENEC JOINS ELITE CLUB
W
hen Kayla Slovenec was nine-months-old, her
mother was astonished to find her atop their
kitchen table, a feat that was pretty atypical
for a baby that age. Little did they know then
that Kayla’s active nature would lead to a great high school
basketball career filled with many achievements and honors.
Most recently, Kayla made her mark in Fox Chapel Area High
School history by scoring her 1,000th career point during the
girls’ basketball team’s final regular season game on February
5 at Armstrong High School. It was a fitting tribute to her
four‑year varsity career, and her skills were further put to the
test in the WPIAL AAAA playoffs.
Kayla’s 1,000-point achievement placed her in good company
– she joined an elite club that includes former players Jennifer
Papich who was a star at Gannon University, and Erin Mathias,
who currently plays for Duke University and is doing very well
there. They remain two of the school’s most highly decorated
girls’ basketball players.
“Kayla is a naturally gifted athlete and a good team leader,” said
head coach Jennifer O’Shea of the 5’7” guard who always has a
smile on her face. “She’s also a very unselfish player and a great
passer.”
The senior was also a savior of sorts last year when three of
the team’s top players were out for the season with injuries,
and a new coach was leading them. Kayla’s position was
changed to point guard and her leadership skills and fortitude
were challenged in every game. She was keenly aware that her
24 Fox Chapel Area
teammates were depending on her to pick up the slack for the
players missing from the court.
“We really needed her to score,” said Coach O’Shea. “We
couldn’t have won without her contributions each game. There
was a lot of pressure on her to perform.”
What a difference a year can make. This year, her teammates
were all healthy and they worked in tandem to produce an 11-3
section record. Mrs. O’Shea said Kayla has become known
for her ability to forcefully drive to the basket and for her
Eurostep. The Eurostep is a slick basketball move in which an
offensive player picks up her dribble, steps in one direction,
and then quickly takes a second step in another direction. It’s a
difficult skill that most high school girls can’t do because if not
done precisely, it borders on becoming a traveling violation.
“I’ve always been full of energy and I love the nonstop, going
back-and-forth part of the game,” said Kayla, who also played
soccer and softball up until middle school and was a four זV