New coach hopes to make talent stand out for Norwin boys

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

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The Norwin boys basketball program looks to have culture change in store as the Knights begin a new era with a familiar face in charge.

Cam Auld, a 2016 Norwin graduate, takes over as head coach after spending the last two seasons at Greensburg Salem. Auld, 26, went 9-34 overall and 3-17 in section with the Golden Lions.

“I’m excited to be back at my alma mater. It’s really special to me,” Auld said. “Before I took the job and when I went through the process, all the people I talked to who have had the opportunity to go back to their alma mater told me how special it is and you kind of undersell it before it happens. To be able to go back has been really cool and special.”

Auld takes over for Lance Maha, who resigned to return to West Mifflin to serve as athletic director. Maha, who led the Knights to an 8-13 record and 2-8 record in Section 2-6A last season, spent the last three seasons as Norwin’s coach and previously coached at West Mifflin for 20 years.

Before taking the Greensburg Salem job, Auld was Norwin’s freshman boys basketball coach in a role where he previously coached a couple of the seniors.

“A lot of the guys knew of me. A couple played for me. I don’t know how big of a role it has played because so much has changed,” Auld said.

“The kids I coached told me how much different I am from a coach perspective, which is good to hear. That means you’re at least developing as a coach. I guess having those guys who have played for me or were familiar with me beforehand to be there to reinforce what I’m trying to do has been big.”

Auld, a Waynesburg graduate, will bring over his assistants from Greensburg Salem – Jerry Cooley and Gage McCracken.

Norwin averaged 47.3 points per game last season while allowing 53.2.

The Knights will look to replace guard Dylan McCullough, who was named third-team TribLive Westmoreland boys basketball all-star last season. McCullough is now at Mt. Aloysius.

Norwin also graduated forward Luke Denny and guards Alex Wiggins and Noah Wilson.

The Knights will return junior guards Alex Graney and Christopher McKnight as well as Steff Giannikas and Domonic Kantz. Junior forward Nathan Kuch will man the front line for Norwin this year.

“With the minutes we have and the talent we have, we are going to get up tempo and try to run a little bit more than we did at Greensburg Salem. We are trying to engrain some toughness into this culture,” Auld said.

“The results haven’t been good recently, so we are trying to change that culture. There’s so much talent and there’s always going to be. But there has to be a different way to make that talent stand out. (Be a) defensive minded team and a team that likes to run and get up and down the floor.”

The Knights will be in Section 2-6A that includes Upper St. Clair, the defending WPIAL Class 6A champion, and Mt. Lebanon, which finished third in the 6A playoffs. Central Catholic, the fourth-place finisher, will also be part of the section.

Imani Christian, the WPIAL and PIAA Class A champions, have moved all the way up to Class 6A. The section will also include Hempfield, Canon-McMillan and Connellsville.

“There are great teams, great coaches and great players. You have to be prepared to go into a battle every Tuesday and Friday night and throw some haymakers,” Auld said.

“There is good basketball everywhere. Most of the games are going to come down to how your team performs and if they can handle the pressures of the game. To be able to compete in 6A and go against the cream of the crop was something enticing too.”

The Knights will tip off their season at Penn-Trafford on Dec. 3. Norwin will then be part of the Jeannette Tip-Off Tournament, where it will face Steel Valley on Dec. 6 and West Mifflin on Dec. 7.

Norwin boys at a glance

Last year’s record: 8-13 (2-8 Section 2-6A)

Returning starters: Alex Graney (Jr., G), Christopher McKnight (Jr., G)

Top newcomers: None

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