JOHN REHAK: BUILT BY ADVERSITY
ox Chapel Area
FOX CHAPEL AREA SCHOOL NEWS
JOHN REHAK: BUILT BY ADVERSITY
Senior Returns to Form, Leads Foxes
J ohn Rehak was a force on the Foxes basketball team – a top scorer, a tireless hustler, and a versatile leader who could play all guard positions, get the ball to the hoop, and work the post, if needed. He also possesses a basketball IQ well beyond his years, something his coaches admire and respect. Given all that, it’ s hard to believe basketball wasn’ t his first athletic passion.
That distinction belonged to ice hockey, which John played for many years growing up.
John’ s mother, a former high school basketball and track standout, introduced him to the game early. She often took him to a park in Aspinwall to play and practice shots, and she taught him the details of the game. Still, he wasn’ t interested in giving up hockey. It wasn’ t until middle school that John seriously considered joining the basketball team, something his sixthgrade social studies teacher at Dorseyville Middle School, Daryl Natali, encouraged him to do. Mr. Natali became a significant influence in John’ s life, both academically and athletically, and played a big role in helping him develop confidence on the court.
“ Mr. Natali would come to school an hour early, and we would play basketball at 7 in the morning, getting more practice in,” John recalls of his former coach.“ He’ s the one who taught me to see other people’ s perspectives, and that helped me to become a better leader and person.”
Another major factor solidified basketball as John’ s top sport. In eighth grade, varsity head coach Zach Skrinjar recognized his promise, along with that of current seniors Anderson Dockey and Max Melocchi, and moved them up to the high school’ s freshman team. That season was pivotal, not only for John but also for the entire program, as the varsity team defied the odds and captured the 2022 WPIAL Class 6A championship.
The excitement of that entire season was thrilling, but it also taught John about the amount of work and level of commitment it takes to compete at the highest level. Since then, strong communication with his coaches and teammates has been critical to his growth, along with detailed preparation before each game.
“ He talks a lot to me on the sidelines during practices and talks to me about the team and upcoming opponents,” says coach Skrinjar, now in his 17th year at the helm of the program.“ John sees the game as a coach does, and I appreciate his insights. He definitely has coaching in his future if that’ s something he would want to pursue.”
Assistant coach Gabe Skrinjar adds,“ John really sets the tone with his defense and his encouragement of his teammates, especially the younger ones with less varsity experience. He’ s always talking to them and giving them insight, positivity, and support. His teammates feed off his energy and want to follow in his footsteps. He’ s been very successful in driving to the
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hoop and scoring, while also picking up fouls on his opponents on his way to score.”
That energy extends beyond the court. In addition to his responsibilities with the team, John holds dual-enrollment status at Fox Chapel Area High School and Penn State Greater Allegheny in McKeesport. He spends his mornings taking college courses and his afternoons going to his high school classes, followed by practices or games.
So far, John has accrued 15 college credits, and by graduation, he will have earned 27 credits, giving him a good head start as a college undergraduate next year.