West Allegheny faces a player recruited by Pitt; Walker excels at UCLA

By Mike White | Tuesday, Dec. 1, 9:15 p.m.

West Allegheny's quarterfinal opponent in the PIAA Class AAA playoffs is an Erie Cathedral Prep team that features a player with Division I college scholarship offers.

Erie Cathedral Prep quarterback Shyquawn Pullium has rushed and passed for more than 1,000 yards this season. But he is being recruited by Division I colleges to play probably defensive back. Pitt has offered Pullium a scholarship as well as Maryland, Toledo and a few others. West Allegheny meets Erie Prep Friday at North Allegheny 7 p.m.

"We're talking to some of the colleges about him staying at the quarterback position," said Cathedral Prep coach Mike Mischler. "He probably won't stay at quarterback in college. He probably projects as a cornerback for Pitt, Penn State and those guys. But he is definitely a blue-chip kid somewhere. He has great wheels. He has good vision and he has some of the best feet I've seen on a kid in a long time."

Markel Walker makes impact at UCLA

Former Schenley girls' basketball star Markel Walker is off to a great start at UCLA. Post-Gazette colleague Brad Everett pointed out how Walker had an excellent showing recently against perennial power Tennessee. She had 19 points and 14 rebounds in a 61-47 loss to the Volunteers. Walker is tied for the team lead in scoring at 13.3 points and leads in rebounding with 10 a game. She also averages two steals a game for the Bruins, who are 4-2.

Markel Walker during her junior year at Schenley