Nicole Valentino chose a most opportune time to post, arguably, her best collegiate career cage outing.

Valentino’s 25-point, 10-rebound, 4-assist line led the Thiel College basketball team to a recent 68-55 non-conference win over LaRoche College at Rissell-Beeghly Gymasia, earning her Presidents’ Athletic Conference player of the week laurels.

The Lady Cats were without leading scorer Amber Bodrick and second-leading rebounder Fontella Jones. Bodrick, the PAC pacesetter in scoring (25.2) as well as the Lady Cats’ leading rebounder (8.9), marksman (47.0) and pickpocket (2.56 steals per game), sustained a sprained ankle in the previous day’s practice. Jones, a Farrell High product averaging 9.7 ppg., 7.4 rpg., 2.75 assists and 2 spg., was diagnosed with mononucleosis and also sidelined.

So with an opportunity to annex the .500 plateau prior to a 2-week hiatus for the holidays, Valentino vanquished the Redhawks. The 5-foot-10 senior stalwart turned in a 7-for-15 shooting performance from the floor, hitting on 3 of 5 attempts from beyond the arc for Thiel (5-5). She had help, however, as Jena Cook contributed a career-high 25-point performance, the Lady Cats outrebounded (52-41) the Redhawks and Thiel’s bench bested LaRoche 31-7 in scoring.

Thus far this season Valentino, the former Sharon High standout, is averaging 14.2 points and 3.60 assists in 36 minutes per game for head coach Artina Trader. She’s also connected on 21 treys.

The PAC women’s standings (through Monday) were: Westminster 1-0, 5-3; Bethany 1-0, 4-5; Grove City 1-0, 2-7; Thomas More 0-0, 7-1, Washington & Jefferson 0-1, 5-3; Thiel 0-1, 5-5; Waynesburg 0-1, 4-5, and Saint Vincent 0-0, 2-6, which is in the process of provisionally joining NCAA Division III and the PAC.

ä Thiel’s Tomcats also have been led by some local flavor.

Jamestown High product Joe Herrmann is the PAC’s second-leading scorer (16.4) and rebounder (8.3), and the 6-5 junior also ranks among the loop leaders in free-throw (78.7) and 3-point field goal percentage (42.1). Also for the Tomcats, Brandon Mirizio (Kennedy Catholic) is included among the PAC pacesetters in scoring (11.8) and steals (1.83). The 5-9 sophomore guard transferred from Juniata College where he has been reunited with his Kennedy Catholic coach Tim Loomis, in his first season as Tomcats’ taskmaster.

The PAC men’s standings (through Monday) were: Bethany 1-0, 8-3; Waynesburg 1-0, 5-2; Westminster 1-0, 4-4; Thomas More 0-0, 0-8; Grove City 0-1, 3-5; Thiel 0-1, 3-5; W&J 0-1, 1-8, and Saint Vincent 0-0, 7-2.

ä Former Greenville High standout Laura Beatty recently was honored by her alma mater, Edinboro University, as part of the Fighting Scots’ all-time volleyball squad. During her heyday Beatty (’92) served as a setter. She later served a stint as Commodore Perry High’s head volleyball coach.

Ed Farrell is assistant sports editor for The Herald