2010-11 Boys Athlete of the Year finalists

Mike Hull may no longer be at Canon-McMillan and, contrary to recent rumors, the school will not be renamed Canon-MikeHull. Still, Hull carved quite a legacy during his high school days and, as a senior, he was selected as the Observer-Reporter's Boys Athlete of the Year.

This year's honoree will come from the following finalists:

Nate Bellhy, Fort Cherry
Bellhy became the first local basketball player to commit this year when he picked Seton Hill. A three-time first-team all-district player, Bellhy averaged 25.8 points and finished his career as FC’s all-time scoring leader with 1,518 points. In his first year of varsity football, Bellhy excelled at receiver and caught 50 passes.

Nick Bolias, Monessen
A defensive stopper in football and basketball, Bolias was an second-team all-state defensive back but made an equal impact as the leading receiver for the Greyhounds. Bolias started at point guard for Monessen, which won the WPIAL Class AA championship (convincingly) and reached the state semifinals. Bolias would always draw the opponent’s top offensive player, whether he was 5-10 or 6-6. Bolias also played soccer during the fall, and helped Monessen to a strong season.

Christian Brumbaugh, South Fayette
A William & Mary football signee, Brumbaugh established every WPIAL passing record imaginable during his senior season from career yards to single-season yards. He also established a PIAA record for single-season TD passes for South Fayette’s WPIAL championship team, which reached the state final. Brumbaugh started at center for a team that reached the WPIAL Class AAA finals and the PIAA semifinals.

Derrick Fiore, Ringgold
A Cal U football recruit, Fiore was selected to the O-R Elite 11 and he rushed for 1,200 yards and averaged 10 yards per carry for the first Ringgold team to go undefeated and untied in the regular season. Fiore was also an all-conference defensive back, where he was recruited by Cal. Fiore joined the basketball team as a senior and cracked the rotation for a team that made a 14-game improvement from the previous year. A sprinter in track, Fiore ran the anchor leg on Ringgold’s WPIAL championship 400 relay team.

Austin Hancock, Peters Township
Few area athletes possess the natural leadership skills of Hancock, a two-sport standout in football and baseball. The Fordham-bound football player quarterback Peters Township to the WPIAL Class AAAA playoffs for the first time, and the Indians were the only team to hold a lead on PIAA champion North Allegheny in the postseason, albeit a 7-0 lead early in the game. Hancock was a dual threat in football, and some believe he may be a better baseball player. Batting in the middle of the Indians' order, Hancock delivered power numbers and was a four-year starter.

Josh Patterson, South Fayette
Patterson has the rare distinction of competing for WPIAL team championships in all three sports seasons as a senior. He was the third-leading receiver on the football team, and made several big plays during the postseason. In basketball, Patterson served as South Fayette’s defensive specialist and earned third-team all-district honors. Patterson also qualified for the PIAA championships in the triple jump. He will play basketball at Grove City, but has been asked to join the football and track teams as well.

Jeff Tarley, Beth-Center
Tarley will wrestler for West Virginia and returned to his three-sport ways as a senior. Tarley served as B-C’s tailback and nearly rushed for 1,000 yards despite missing several games. In wrestling, Tarley won his second WPIAL championship and placed second at the state tournament. In baseball, Tarley’s presence helped the Bulldogs to one of their better seasons.