North Catholic’s Lauren Reitz snags 1st Division I offer

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Friday, July 18, 2025 | 4:44 PM

At 6-foot-2, Lauren Reitz has the size to play basketball at the NCAA Division I level.

But her game is about more than height.

A rising junior forward from Murrysville who attends North Catholic, Reitz received her first Division I scholarship offer this week from Maryland Baltimore County of the America East Conference.

Suddenly, she has set a course for greater things with two years of high school basketball remaining.

The challenges that come with attending a new school, making new friends and teammates, and adjusting to a new environment — general uncertainty — were something Reitz had to overcome.

But, as she said, “As it turns out, North Catholic was just what I needed.”

“Getting my first D-1 offer means more than words can describe,” Reitz said. “I’ve been through a lot these past few years, and to see that someone trusts me as a player to be an influence on their team at the highest level is truly something I’m grateful for. I’ve worked hard for this so for it to finally become real, it just proves that if you put your mind to something you really want, you’ll get there and probably even further than you thought.”

Last season, Reitz helped the Trojanettes extend their record for WPIAL championships with title No. 23. They capped a three-peat with a win over Blackhawk in the 4A final.

She averaged 8 points and 8.2 rebounds as a starter.

“Schools love her size and athleticism,” North Catholic coach Molly Rottmann said. “She has great anticipation on defense as a shot blocker. Lauren has the ability to play in the paint and extend her game to the 3-point line offensively, which makes her a dual threat.”

North Catholic reached the PIAA semifinals before falling to Lansdale Catholic to finish 25-5.

Rottmann believes the college offer is the first of many to come for Reitz, who had multiple double-digit scoring games and consistently led the team in rebounds. She also showed her versatility with a 16-point, 11-assist game.

Reitz plays AAU basketball for the Western PA Bruins, an organization known for annually producing Division I talent. She said an increase in competition tested her game, but she was up to the task, giving her a realization she might be able to play at a higher level.

“As I got older, the competition at tournaments quickly got harder, more physical and competitive,” she said. “To be playing against the best upcoming players in the country is a challenge, and when I was able to work just as hard and hang with them on the court, I understood that if I kept working and trusting in God that I could get where I set my mind to be.

“I’m grateful for my teammates and coaches who push me. They always contribute to my success more and more every day with their support, and I couldn’t ask to be surrounded with a more family-like environment.”

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: North Catholic