Sophomore point guard Emma Eannarino sparks Sewickley Academy girls

By: Ray Fisher
Sunday, January 12, 2025 | 11:01 AM

Emma Eannarino has tackled an important role on the Sewickley Academy girls basketball team despite being only a sophomore.

“Emma will continue to be called upon to display her leadership skills as the season progresses due to her position as the point guard,” SA coach Jill Capozzi said, “but also because she is a highly competitive individual, which helps spark our team in positive ways.”

A high-energy 5-foot-4 guard, Eannarino connected for 20 points Jan. 2 to power Sewickley to a 37-27 win over Western Beaver in a Section 1-A matchup.

The Panthers improved to 2-2 in section play and 3-5 overall.

“Our focus this year is on the team’s success rather than individual achievements,” Eannarino said.

“Overall, I feel more confident and connected to my teammates than ever.”

Through eight contests, Eannarino was averaging a team-leading 15 points, 4 steals and 5 rebounds per game.

“Emma’s strengths are her quickness and basketball instincts,” Capozzi said.

Eannarino has gained some of her athletic instincts from her older sister Libby, who was a team leader and district standout for in girls basketball for two years at Sewickley after transferring from Upper St. Clair.

Libby currently is a freshman at Vanderbilt after enjoying success with the Panthers as a three-sport athlete in soccer, basketball and lacrosse.

She is playing club lacrosse in college at the midfield/attack positions and attended two tournaments this fall.

“Libby is extremely athletic,” said Ali Grenert, Sewickley’s girls lacrosse coach. “She has a very high lacrosse IQ. Libby is very patient and mindful in her play.

“She, as though instinctively, knows where the ball is going to be. She is like a chess player who sees two or three moves ahead. She’s also very funny and kind. Her smile is contagious.”

Sewickley Academy was led last winter by the older Eannarino sister, who was a senior guard/forward and the only upperclassman on the girls basketball squad. Libby led the team in scoring the past two seasons and was one of the top scorers in the WPIAL as a senior with a 21.5 ppg average.

“Libby was very athletic and excelled in three sports. She was just an all-around competitor,” Capozzi said. “Emma also is an excellent athlete. She was all-section this fall in soccer and excels in lacrosse, which she will play in the spring.

“Libby and Emma are like motors on the court; they play with a ton of energy and are highly competitive. The similarities are uncanny in that regard.”

The younger Eannarino sister, Sewickley’s second-leading scorer last year, is joined in the 2024-25 starting lineup normally by 5-7 senior guard Skylar Nocito, 5-8 senior forward Josie Whitcraft, 5-7 sophomore forward Grace Jardini and 5-6 freshman guard Molly Cephas.

Freshman forwards Gabby Edmunds and Lena Rothbauer, freshman guard Bella Walsh and sophomore forward Layla Miller are top reserves.

Nocito is a fourth-year starter for the Panthers.

“We have a very young team with most players being freshmen,” she said. “As a senior being on this team for four years, we have never had such a young team with such potential.

“Everyone has brought passion, energy and enthusiasm, which are key to (having) success in this sport.”

In Week 2 of the new year, Union, last season’s WPIAL champion and PIAA quarterfinalist, was in first place in Section 1-A with a 4-0 record, followed by St. Joseph (3-1), Aquinas Academy (3-1), Sewickley (2-2) and Springdale (2-2). Eden Christian (2-3), Western Beaver (1-4) and Leechburg (0-4) rounded out the standings.

Capozzi was looking for continued growth by the Panthers in the season’s second half.

“My expectations are that we continue to put forth an effort every day and continue with a growth mindset,” Capozzi said. “I expect our team to continue to improve as the season progresses and for us to compete and play for each other. The team’s energy and coachability continue to impress the coaching staff.”

Eannarino plays a vital role in promoting a “growth mindset” at Sewickley, leading the way in the team’s energy and coachability departments.

Tags: Sewickley Academy