After championship season, Norwin girls looking for ‘best 5’ to make another run

By: Andrew John
Friday, November 22, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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Last year, Norwin found itself on top of the WPIAL Class 6A mountain. However, with the departure of key seniors from the championship team, the Knights will need to do it with a new group as they put last year’s success behind them.

Norwin, which finished 23-4 overall and 10-0 in Section 1-6A last year, captured its first WPIAL title since 2016, defeating North Allegheny, 56-41. Norwin’s season came to a close three games later with a 60-47 loss to Spring-Ford in the PIAA quarterfinals.

Norwin looks to replace the production from three senior starters from last year’s team, including forward Lauren Palangio, who is now at Holy Family. Palangio averaged 13.7 points and 8.7 rebounds per game and shot 56.4% from the field.

The size and length Palangio provided at 6-foot-2 gave coach Brian Brozeski a strong presence in the paint that the Knights will look to replace. Palangio finished with 12 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks in the WPIAL championship game.

Bailey Snowberger and Ava Kobus also graduated. Snowberger provided the offesive stability the Knights needed from the point guard position, while Kobus was a tall defender.

“Losing those three makes it a challenge to replace them, but that’s part of athletics,” Brozeski said. “Every year, you get a fresh group that comes in, but you have to figure out the matchups that make your best five.”

Senior guard Kendall Berger and junior guard Ava Christopher are both returning this season. Christopher led all Knights with 16 points in the championship game, while Berger added 10 points in the win.

Berger, who averaged 11.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.4 steals last season, will also be joined by two other seniors who will be focal points for the Knights. Bella Furno, a 5-8 swing guard, and guard/forward Averi Brozeski will have expanded roles this year.

Berger and Brozeski are both Clarion commits, while Furno has committed to play at West Virginia Wesleyan.

“Those three played quality minutes for us last year,” Brozeski said. “They have that experience to lean upon to be in those environments. Experience is great, but every year is a new year.

“Last year was last year, and it’s good to learn from it. We can’t dwell on it. You have to make sure you’re getting after it to make sure you’re improving so you have a similar experience this year.”

Senior forward Alexis Heller will look to help fill Palangio’s role this year.

Junior guards Kylie Rodkey and Anna Frazier as well as sophomore guard/forward Elizabeth Yarosik will look to play valuable minutes for the Knights, who have 19 players on the roster.

“We are experimenting with a lot of different matchups right now. We are trying to find matchups that each bring a unique skillset to the game,” Brozeski said.

“There are some lineups that we can go with that have a little bit more speed to go ahead and play a 90-foot game. There are lineups that have a little bit more size and strength so we can go ahead and play a half-court game. A lot of it will depend upon who we are going against and what lineup gives us the best opportunity to win.”

Norwin will be part of the Section 2-6A this year that includes Upper St. Clair, Mt. Lebanon, Canon-McMillan, Hempfield and Connellsville.

The Knights tip off their season at Penn-Trafford on Dec. 3. Norwin will then participate in the State College Tournament and play Abington Heights on Dec. 6.

“We want to make sure we are getting ready week in and week out,” Brozeski said. “Right now, step No. 1 is to make sure we are getting our legs underneath us and getting ready to play high quality basketball for four quarters. We are working to get our chemistry and finding our shot by knocking off some of the summer rust.”

Norwin girls at a glance

Last year’s record: 23-4 (10-0 Section 1-6A)

Returning starters: Kendall Berger (Sr., G)

Top newcomers: Kylie Rodkey (Jr., G), Anna Fraser (Jr., G), Elizabeth Yarosik (So., G)

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