Thorpe leaving Shaler for school in Florida

One of the top basketball players in the WPIAL is leaving his high school for a school in Florida.

Shaler High School star Geno Thorpe said this afternoon he will spend his senior year at West Oaks Aademy in Orlando, Fla. Thorpe, a Penn State recruit and a Post-Gazette Fabulous 5 selection last year, said the main reason he is leaving is because he wants to live with his father, Gene, who resides in the Orlando area.

Geno Thorpe said he has not lived with father for about three years. His father used to live in the Pittsburgh area.

"This is mainly because of my father, really," Thorpe said. "I always told my mother, even when I was a sophomore, that I wanted to stay with my father."

"I'd like to thank Shaler for what they've done for me. Shaler did a lot for me. I love everyone in the community, but I had to make the right decision and what's best for me."

Thorpe said he is still committed to Penn State.