Westmoreland County Senior Spotlight: Norwin’s Ava Kobus

By: Anthony DiFilippo
Monday, March 11, 2024 | 11:33 AM

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Previous Next

There are few better feelings in sports than winning a championship, but being able to win one as a senior is a pretty sweet send-off.

That was the case for Norwin’s Ava Kobus, who, along with her teammates, captured the WPIAL Class 6A title March 1 at Petersen Events Center with a win over North Allegheny.

That was the Knights’ first trip to the finals since 2016.

Kobus, a high-scoring forward, explained the key to taking down the Tigers.

“I think just making sure that we were being us, that we knew we didn’t have to do anything super out of our comfort zone,” Kobus said. “We had to play the way we knew how and just be us, and that was enough.”

The win earned Norwin a chance to host a first-round PIAA tournament game against William Penn on Friday.

Similar points were reiterated when Kobus spoke about the next challenge on the docket.

“We obviously want to win the whole thing, but just making sure that we take it one game at a time, one step at a time, and focus on the first task at hand so we can hopefully make it all the way to the end,” Kobus said.

As she departs the high school realm and looks to Allegheny College, where she’ll be spending the next four years playing basketball, Kobus had some words for the underclassman and future Norwin players.

“Just to make sure that they cherish it and don’t waste the time that they have. It’s precious and I know, looking back on it, that it went by (quickly),” Kobus said.

Kobus plans to major in biology at Allegheny, possibly pursuing pre-med studies.

With a WPIAL title under her belt, Kobus took some time for a Senior Spotlight Q&A:

How did you get started with basketball?

My dad coached basketball for as long as I can remember. So did my uncle. I’ve been around basketball for the longest time. I don’t think I can remember a time where I wasn’t, whether that was going to Pitt games or going to games (my dad) was coaching. It was kind of a natural thing for me, I guess.

What can you say about what coach Brian Brozeski brings to the table?

He’s the best. He is constantly a presence. He’s so dedicated. He’s always watching film, putting out scouting reports, always pushing us to be the best that we can be. I know that he was just as invested as the rest of us, where he wanted it just as much as we did.

What did the recruiting process at Allegheny look like?

I have been playing AAU for years, just trying to figure out what I want in a team and in a school. Immediately, when I talked to coach Kelly (Muffley), she was amazing. We connected immediately. When I went up for my visit, just the school in general, I liked the atmosphere. Just how much of a priority they put on academics and not just sports, which was definitely something I looked for in a school. They’re also super competitive, and I just can’t wait to play.

What is one thing that people may not know about you?

I love to read. I’m definitely a book nerd. Not many people do know that about me, but I do, I love to read. Oftentimes, in my free time, between classes, I’m probably reading on my phone.

What’s your favorite book or book series?

I don’t know. “The Book Thief” was a good one or probably “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas.” That was a good one.

Tags: Norwin