Norwin girls top Hempfield to win Section 2-6A outright

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, February 9, 2018 | 8:05 PM

Getting off to the slowest start in the recent history of the Norwin girls basketball program left the team's progress apparent to junior guard Jessica Kolesar. The Knights, who started the season 1-5, had to tumble down the side of the mountain before they could scale it.

By shutting down previously red-hot Hempfield, Norwin earned its solo spot atop Section 2-6A with a 50-23 win Friday night at home.

“I think it gives us confidence, but we also realize we're not going to walk on the court and win,” said Kolesar, who finished with 13 points. “I think now we know we are able to win and have that extra confidence now.”

With a dogged defensive effort, the Knights (11-8, 8-2) never fell behind as they clinched their second section title in three seasons.

Throughout the game, Norwin kept the clamps on Spartans leading scorer Allison Podkul. Podkul, who averages nearly 18 points, shot 1 of 14 from the field and finished with five points.

“We wanted to make them earn every inch of it,” Norwin coach Brian Brozeski said. “Fortunately for us and unfortunately for them, their shots weren't falling tonight.”

As a whole, Hempfield's offensive effort wasn't up to snuff. The Spartans (11-10, 6-4) shot 10 percent (2 of 20) from beyond the arc and 17.7 percent (8 of 45) overall.

“When the ball doesn't fall, it makes the game much tougher,” Hempfield coach Lindsy Muchnock said. “When we don't make shots, our energy goes down.”

The Spartans, who had won their last five games, struggled to find any continuity on offense. Hempfield had plenty of good opportunities but never quite found its touch.

Knights guard Olivia Gribble, who scored a team-high 15 points, discovered her range early. Her first two baskets of the game — within the first few minutes — were 3s. Add in another from teammate Jayla Wehner, and Norwin had a 9-2 advantage with 5 minutes, 1 second left in the first quarter.

“I try my best every time I go out there,” Gribble said. “When I (make shots) for my team, I think that helps us out.”

Hempfield battled back, trimming the lead to 11-9 by the end of the first quarter following an offensive rebound and putback by Kayla Barrientos-Collins, who had a team-high nine points.

The Spartans' offensive good feelings were short-lived. Hempfield shot 2 of 13 in the second quarter. Norwin took advantage, opening the quarter with an 8-0 run that was capped by two free throws from Kolesar.

Wehner, who contributed three points to that spurt, also finished with 12 points for Norwin. With how the defense was playing, the Knights' lead, which stretched to 26-14 by half, was sure to stand.

Norwin had learned how to close games.

“We knew defense was going to win the game,” Kolesar said. “We had to stick with our man in the zone. That was our main focus point. So we knew we had to shut them down defensively.”

Both teams qualified for the WPIAL playoffs and will learn their opponent Tuesday night at the pairings meeting.

Josh Rizzo is a freelance writer.

Tags: Hempfield Area, Norwin