Leaving it All on the Court

Graduating senior Zach Pollaro becomes the sixth player in North Hills High School basketball history to reach 1,000 points.

On Jan. 17, in a gym packed with family, friends and NHHS basketball fans, senior guard Zach Pollaro stood at the foul line one point away from making history. His shot went up, the crowd rose to their feet, and, with a swish, Zach joined the elite ranks of North Hills’ 1,000-point scorers.

“It’s an honor to have gotten to 1,000 points,” he says. “Achieving this just puts the work that I’ve dedicated over the years into the light.”

For Zach, basketball is more than a sport—it’s a family matter. The son of Vince and Kristen Pollaro, both educators at North Hills Middle School, Zach grew up surrounded by strong role models. His dad played basketball for North Hills, and his grandfather, Rick Locaitis, once coached the team and still referees games.

“What really got me interested in basketball was just competing day in and day out with my brothers at our backyard hoop and the hoop mounted to a cement wall in our basement,” says Zach. “When you grow up with brothers, you always have someone to play with.”

Zach’s sports legacy doesn’t stop with basketball. His older brother Jake pitches for the University of Delaware, while younger brother Ty, 15, plays baseball and basketball for North Hills. But Zach has paved a path all his own on the North Hills gym floor, earning his milestone moment in a high-stakes matchup against New Castle, the top-ranked team in the section.

“Apparently before the game, nobody was allowed to tell me the number of points that I needed,” he laughs. “I thought I needed around 25. I ended up needing 26.” After hitting three consecutive three-pointers and heading into halftime with 20 points, it started to sink in. Zach reached 1,000 points with a free throw in the third quarter and capped the night with 32 points total. “It was a needed win for us and a very exciting moment.”

Beyond his on-court accomplishments, Zach is known for giving back to the community. He’s coached at North Hills basketball camps and served at Orchard Hill Church’s KidsFest, showing a commitment to both his sport and community.

He’s quick to credit his family and coaches for helping him succeed. “With three boys in the family—all with busy schedules—it was always crazy getting us fed, washing uniforms and driving us to where we needed to be, but my parents did it.”

He also praises coaches Gabos, Long and White for allowing him to “play my game and be carefree,” and says that his dad and pap probably coached him the most—especially on long car rides home after the games.

As Zach looks ahead, he’s excited for the next chapter. He’ll attend Franciscan University of Steubenville, where he plans to major in business and marketing—and continue his basketball journey at the Division III level, competing in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference.