Tough Challenge
What was supposed to be a celebratory night – John’ s first appearance as a starter in his sophomore year – turned into a nightmare. On January 12, 2024, during the Foxes ' home opener against Woodland Hills, the audience fell silent as John collapsed on the court. Nearly 20 minutes passed before he was helped off the court, after suffering a very serious leg injury: a broken tibia and fibula. The injuries were so severe that he was sidelined for eight months.
“ I have never seen anything like his injury,” says coach Zach Skrinjar.“ Being by him and sitting with him on the court waiting for medical attention was a surreal feeling.”
John says the challenge made him a better version of himself.
“ I thought,‘ Why pout about it; let me do something to change it and become an impact for the team in another way.’ I really
“ I thought,‘ Why pout about it; let me do something to change it and become an impact for the team in another way.’ I really think just observing the game, picking up small details, and listening to the coaches translated over to me becoming a leader.” – John Rehak, on the season-ending injury he suffered as a sophomore think just observing the game, picking up small details, and listening to the coaches translated over to me becoming a leader.”
John returned to the team after a few weeks, but on the sidelines, a difficult adjustment after earning a starting position. It was then that he learned how to assume a different, but just as important, role.
“ I was always out looking to be part of the team and help any way I could,” John says.“ I was just looking at the game very differently, and it transformed into how I look at the game now. I’ ve seen how we play what little things we can do better.”
He recalls his first game back as a junior.
“ I was very rusty, but I remember one of the first things I did was to take charge,” John says.“ I tied the game, got a steal, and got a layup to win the game. I was very afraid it would be a mental struggle, but the coaches around me told me to do what I’ ve done my whole life, and I’ d be fine.”
Roaring Back
It’ s now John’ s senior year, and the 6’ 2” guard made his presence felt early and often this season.
He scored a buzzer-beater in the final seconds of the Foxes’ game versus Shaler Area, when he drove the ball full court and shot a layup that won the game for the Foxes, 64-63. His finesse earned him a shoutout from Takeover Hoops, which selected his gamewinning shot as one of the WPIAL’ s Top 5 Plays of the Week.
The WPIAL Class 6A Section 1 schedule was a difficult one this season, with many talented and improved teams vying for top billing. John says this group of Foxes players had really good chemistry on and off the court.
“ We know each other well, and the four seniors have bonded the most. But the entire team spent a lot of time doing shooting drills and finishing drills. Every day, we all worked on our games to get better.”
Even as the team’ s leading scorer, John didn’ t crave the limelight.
“ Growing up, I was never big on scoring, and I still don’ t care about scoring; that’ s just my personality,” he says.“ I just wanted us to learn how we could get the win and how to make the game better.” ox Chapel Area
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