A-K Valley Senior Spotlight: Valley’s Janelle Norman

By: Ted Sarneso
Monday, January 13, 2025 | 12:15 PM

At the midway point of the 2024-25 season, the Valley girls basketball team was 1-10.

But there was no negativity among its coaches or players, particularly from senior captain and 6-foot-2 forward Janelle Norman.

“Me and my teammates come out and play our hardest for the sport we love,” said Norman. “No matter if we win or lose, it’s nice to play with people who all get along with each other and have each other’s backs, whether we win or lose.”

Norman, who averages 15.4 points a game to lead the team, has embraced being a leader, something new to her.

“I think I’m doing well,” she said. “In previous years, I watched older players like my sister Jada and the girls she played with, and I definitely saw how they stuck together and knew how to communicate with each other.”

Norman’s leadership is based on communication. She is in constant talks with her teammates about how a game went and what they saw. She wants to help her teammates learn and improve.

“We all try to help each other out, make sure we’re ready for our games,” said Norman. “We talk about everything that we’ve implemented in games and practices. It’s not just me telling them what we need to do, what we’re doing right and doing wrong. They also can bring ideas to me.”

Norman wants to leave the Valley program giving all she can in hopes that what she has brought to her teammates, they can pass along to future players and girls basketball can become a winning program.

“I feel that all the losing has turned many away from joining the team,” said Norman. “I want to see more girls come out for the team. Hopefully, the program does get better. Basketball is a very fun sport to play.”

Norman took some time for a Senior Spotlight Q&A:

You started the season with a win over Leechburg, but it looks like it’s been a struggle since. What has gone right and gone wrong for the team?

I think our main struggle is not having the consistency. When there are only seven of us on the team, not having many subs just really wears us out. We still stay strong and do our best to stay in the game and hold our own against those larger teams.

Do you score a lot in the paint or are you someone who likes to score from the outside as well?

Being a taller player, I’ve always played down in the post just because that’s where coaches thought I would play the best. I used to play guard when I was younger, so I am able to come outside, dribble and shoot. I have that guard mentality. It comes as a shock to my opponents when I display those skills.

What do you want to see from the team the rest of the season?

Our goals are to just fix our previous mistakes and only get better from where we are now. I can see the progression the team has made to make people change their minds about Valley girls basketball, that we can be a team that can win.

Speaking with your mom, who is also the coach, you have been dealing with injuries. What are those injuries and how rough has it been?

I grew very suddenly, and I have been dealing with patellar tendinitis. I’m currently going to physical therapy and working on getting better. It’s been a struggle, especially during those bad days where I can’t play full out like I know I can.

What lessons have you learned from playing sports?

I’ve learned that consistency and dedication are very important. I also found that you need to have proper motivation to get better both on the court and in the classroom.

Favorite high school memory so far?

I play the alto saxophone in marching band. We went on a trip to Universal Studios one year and were in a parade. Just to be out of school and have fun in Florida is what made it really special.

Any hobbies?

I did Taekwondo for three or four years, and on my own time, I try to improve upon those skills as well.

How has that skill of body control translated to basketball?

I’ve been told that I’m very coordinated for a taller person. Basketball being a very coordination-dependent sport, martial arts has helped me a lot with balance and hand-eye coordination. It also helps to train a lot of different muscles that people never think need training.

Post high school plans?

I plan on going to a four-year college for computer engineering as well as playing basketball, hopefully for a Division I program. Contacting schools and sending out highlights is what I’m focused on to find that college team that needs me for their program.

What’s one piece of advice you’d want to leave your teammates?

They’ve made a lot of progress since the beginning of the season, and it’s been amazing to work with them. Don’t give up. Keep playing the sport you love.

Tags: Valley