Fox Chapel does little things right in Class 6A 1st-round win over Norwin

By: Josh Rizzo
Monday, February 16, 2026 | 12:01 AM

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Joe McGivney wants to make impactful moments throughout a basketball game. The Fox Chapel junior guard believes they eventually will add up to something meaningful.

McGivney scored 20 points Monday night during Fox Chapel’s 52-49 win over Norwin in the first round of the WPIAL Class 6A boys basketball playoffs.

McGivney, who had 11 rebounds, also forced a key tie-up late in the game to give the Foxes possession when the Knights’ momentum was building.

“The little things add up,” McGivney said. “I knew it was our possession if we got a jump. I just had to hold onto it. It went in our favor, and we went down and made free throws and ended up winning the game.”

Norwin (11-12) trailed by seven points in the third quarter but battled back to take a one-point lead, 44-43, following 3-pointers on consecutive possessions from Nico Keteles with around 4 minutes remaining.

Both teams traded the lead down the stretch before Fox Chapel stretched it to four following a layup from Jackson Helgert.

Mario Csukas kept the pressure on for Norwin, cutting the lead to 50-49 with 1:10 remaining. The Knights forced a steal on Fox Chapel’s next possession when Chris Knight made a one-handed grab.

Knight then attempted a 3-pointer from the center of the arc with 24 seconds remaining that went off the iron and landed in the hands of McGivney and Norwin’s Alex Graney.

It was ruled a tie-up, and the Foxes (14-9) got the ball back with the possession arrow.

Knights coach Cam Auld said he was happy with the look they got in transition.

“I’ll take that shot any day of the week,” Auld said. “It’s a senior who we trust. It looked really good from the bench.”

McGivney was fouled on Fox Chapel’s next possession and made both free throws to extend the lead to three.

Foxes coach Zach Skrinjar said he appreciates guards who rebound.

“The last couple weeks, (McGivney) has been a steady force for us,” Skrinjar said. “‘He gives 100% in practice. He wants to win. He’s picked up his game the last couple weeks.”

McGivney made a pair of free throws to stretch the lead to three points.

Norwin didn’t look like a team bothered by being on the road in a playoff environment. The Knights led by as many as seven points in the first half. Norwin was up 28-27 going into halftime.

Auld was happy with how the Knights played defensively.

“I really think it was making shots and getting stops,” Auld said. “We did a good job of contesting at the rim without fouling.”

King Carver scored a team-high 16 points for Norwin, 10 of which came in the first half. Graney (10 points) and Csukas (10) also scored in double figures for the Knights.

Fox Chapel wanted to stay the course.

“I didn’t think there was ever any panic,” Skrinjar said. “It was: stick to what we are doing, believe in what we are doing, if we put together some stops the offense will come.”

Fox Chapel opened the second half on a 7-2 run. The Foxes allowed Norwin to score only six points as they stretched their lead to 37-30.

The Knights rallied, but Fox Chapel did all the small things right in crunch time.

“We were looking to stay together,” McGivney said. “As long as we play together, I think we are a good team. If a double is coming, we come back to the ball. We did a good job down the stretch.”

Tags: Fox Chapel, Norwin