Fox Chapel girls look to enter playoffs with momentum

By: Josh Rizzo
Saturday, February 7, 2026 | 11:01 AM

Fox Chapel girls basketball coach Marty Matvey wanted his team to have a visual representation of what could be ahead. Before the Foxes finished up the regular season, Matvey had the team look at the resumes of other teams in Class 5A to provide some motivation to close the season strong.

Fox Chapel, which clinched a playoff spot in late January, carried a five-game winning streak into its season finale with Plum, which had already clinched the Section 1-5A crown.

“I had them fill out their own brackets and look at other teams’ resumes,” Matvey said. “The ramifications of beating Plum could be significant. Our loss to Plum was one of the worst games of the year, which motivates them.”

The Foxes (13-8, 8-3) were able to earn a playoff spot for the second consecutive season because of the variety of strategies they employ. When they beat Franklin Regional, 54-34, Matvey said he originally planned to start the game in a 1-2-2 press.

Instead, Fox Chapel came out in a 2-3 zone.

“They are resilient and adaptable,” Matvey said. “We like to keep teams off balance where they can’t get into their sets. The zone made it hard for Franklin to shoot.”

Fox Chapel’s winning streak started after it dropped two of three games, losing to Plum and Penn Hills. The win against the Panthers was a good indicator to Matvey that the Foxes were ready for high-pressure games.

“Franklin needed that game to stay alive,” Matvey said. “So did we. That was an emotional game. We were relentless and focused until the end.”

The Foxes have developed plenty of balance in their lineup. Lyla Jablon averages 17 points and five rebounds a game, while Emily McKee contributes 12 points and six rebounds per game. Nina Kulikowski is averaging 10 points and 10 rebounds a game.

The Foxes have been consistent on offense down the stretch, scoring 52 or more points in four of the five games during the winning streak. Matvey said he has been happy Fox Chapel has eight players who have regularly contributed on offense.

The Foxes, who opened the season with a 1-3 start, have found ways to be more consistent.

“I’m grateful the girls are peaking at the right time,” Matvey said. “We’re 8-2 over the past 10 games and they have been able to weather some storms. They are more comfortable in their own skin and play with and for each other.”

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