Cherup does what it takes to help Upper St. Clair win
Zack Cherup keeps his eye on the basket on his way to scoring 24 points during Upper St. Clair’s 54-50 victory over Bethel Park. In addition to his point total, Cherup pulled down eight rebounds and dished up seven assists in the win.
Zack Cherup
Zack Cherup epitomizes the Upper St. Clair boys’ basketball team this season. The 17-year-old senior, like his teammates, does whatever it takes to win. A first-year starter, he is one of five players averaging double figures for the Panthers, who were 14-4 overall and 7-3 in Section 4-AAAA heading into action this week.
After watching Cherup pump in 24 points, grab eight rebounds and dish up seven assists during USC’s 54-50 victory against Bethel Park, head coach Dan Holzer exclaimed, “Zack’s been unbelievable.”
According to Holzer, basketball-wise Cherup is a strong, hard-nosed player that has gotten better and better, just like his team. He averages 14.3 points per game for the Panthers. As a person, Cherup is much, much more. “He’s an incredible kid,” Holzer said. “He’s a leader on and off the court. He’s taken the younger players under his wing. He helps carry equipment. Nothing is beneath him. He does things without being told.”
Cherup shrugs off such praise. For him, it is Zack just being Zack. Cherup said he tries to be a leader by example. “It’s about what is right for the team. What benefits everyone and not just yourself,” he explained.
The 2014-15 campaign could have been about individuals as the Panthers entered the season with very little experience. They had lost seven of their eight top players from last year’s playoff club to graduation. With no experience returning, few expected much from the Panthers.
“We were very underestimated. People overlooked us. Thought we wouldn’t be a tough team. We had no starters returning. No big names,” said Cherup.
“All teams have to have goals for the season, though. Ours was to play well and take it game to game. Not be selfish. Not score as many points (individually) as we can basically because together we knew we could do great things.”
In soccer, Cherup has done great things. He played on the 2013 PIAA championship club and on last fall’s WPIAL runner-up team.
“Winning the state championship was an awesome experience. An awesome year,” Cherup emphasized. “It’s definitely the highlight in my soccer career. But, I’m not sure the experience I had in soccer will help (my teammates) in basketball because it is very hard to explain just how amazing that run was.”
Cherup’s successful run in athletics is due to his diligence. He started playing soccer in second grade and basketball in third grade. Travel ball started shortly after that in both sports. Because he demonstrated a “natural” inclination for basketball, Cherup picked AAU basketball over Cup soccer and spent his summers playing for the Stars of America.
“I think I’m better at basketball. It just comes more natural for me,” Cherup said. “It’s probably because of the added AAU years and it’s an all-year-round sport for me. With soccer, I’d just train with the team during the spring and summer workouts.”
Soccer, however, has helped Cherup in basketball, particularly regarding conditioning. “In soccer, you are always running. In basketball you do get some breaks with timeouts and foul shots,” he said. “But in soccer, you are constantly running up and down the field.”
With more performances like his showing against Bethel Park, Cherup hopes to be running up and down the court long into March. With four section games remaining in the regular season, the Panthers have virtually secured a WPIAL playoff berth.
“We’ve definitely surprised people and it’s been a shocking game for some of them, but we have been ready for teams because we have approached each game knowing we had to give our best.
“We know each game it’s important to be ready. We practice hard. We don’t just show up and hope we do our best. We prepare hard for the game we have to play that day.
“Hopefully,” Cherup continued, “we can make a good run in the playoffs. We know we have to bring our A game all the time and try to win every game, step by step. Even if you fall short, if you gave it your best, then that makes it all worthwhile.”
For Cherup, his senior season has all been worthwhile. He has gotten to play with three of his best friends: Marcus McGinnis, who is averaging 13.2 points per game, Nick Beeler and Garrett Dabat, not to mention juniors Andrew Wheeler (16.1 ppg.), Doug Wagner (17.5 ppg.) and Zachary Pateras (14.6 ppg.) and his younger brother, Nick, a sophomore.
“I have gone to school with many of these guys forever. We are all good friends. It’s a very close team and the bonds we share with each other have made us a successful team.”
After high school, Cherup hopes to become a successful physical therapist. His top college choices are the University of South Carolina, South Carolina State and Virginia Tech. Cherup knows attending any of those schools will mean the end of his athletic career.
“I want to go to a big school because I feel the academics and the athletics will be phenomenal,” said the son of Frank and Kathleen Cherup. “It will be great to support all sports teams even if I can’t play. I’m ready to give it up.”
After watching his performance against Bethel Park, Holzer isn’t sure Cherup should surrender the dream of playing at the next level. “Some Division III schools are missing the boat,” Holzer said. “Zack’s a great defender and all-around player. Plus, he’s a great leader.”
At this point, Cherup only hopes to lead the Panthers to a WPIAL championship. While he admits Bethel Park was his best offensive game, he says there is room for improvement on his part as well as his teammates.
“Defense is usually what I do best, but I did not feel like it was my best defensive game. I could have done a little more and I have to improve my communication on the court with my teammates.”
Cherup communicated well enough to lead his team’s playmaking. He had seven assists against the Hawks.
“Really it’s just assisting the team,” he said of his deft passes. “We hold ourselves to the team concept. Get the ball to the open guy. If they have the open look, then that’s the best shot.”