Top-seeded Norwin girls sharp in playoff-opening rout of Seneca Valley
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Thursday, February 22, 2024 | 9:45 PM
Norwin’s Ava Kobus smiles after drilling a 3-pointer Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, at Norwin High School.
Norwin’s Kendall Berger attempts a layup on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, at Norwin High School.
Norwin’s Averi Brozeski (1) hauls in a rebound over Seneca Valley’s Makayla Candy (1) on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, at Norwin High School.
Norwin’s Ava Christopher (30) attempts a driving layup past Seneca Valley’s Brooke Dufford (25) on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, at Norwin High School.
Norwin’s Lauren Palangio rejects a shot attempt from Seneca Valley’s Emerson Peffer during Thursday’s WPIAL playoff game.
Norwin’s Ava Christopher (30) attempts a driving layup Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, at Norwin High School.
Seneca Valley’s Emerson Peffer (33) rips the loose ball away from Norwin’s Bailey Snowberger (3) on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, at Norwin High School.
Norwin’s Kylie Rodkey (12) fights for a loose ball with Seneca Valley’s Erica Rebovich (14) on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, at Norwin High School.
Norwin’s Lauren Palangio (33) attempts a shot over Seneca Valley’s Garcia Cato (30) on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, at Norwin High School.
Norwin girls basketball coach Brian Brozeski said his team played “challenged” basketball late in the regular season.
Things weren’t quite right.
While the top-seeded Knights were not as sharp as the coach had hoped for heading into the postseason — they had to sit through a 14-day layoff — the team handled their latest test with relative ease.
In fact, their playoff opener wasn’t much of a challenge at all.
As a result of a thoroughly dominant 58-20 victory over No. 8 Seneca Valley on Thursday night, Norwin is headed back to the 6A semifinals.
The Knights (19-3) will play No. 5 Chartiers Valley (16-5) on Monday at a time and site to be announced.
Norwin also clinched a spot in the PIAA playoffs.
An impressive first half propelled the Knights, who were back to moving the ball crisply, making 3-pointers and locking down on defense in the quarterfinal victory.
The long layoff was a chance to get the team up on the rack for a tune-up.
“Our focus in practice has been on defense,” said Norwin senior guard Ava Kobus, who scored 13 points and made three 3-pointers. “I had envisioned this game going several ways. Our defense really made this win happen.”
The potential final home game for the seniors lacked suspense as the Knights showed why they’re the No. 5-ranked team in the state. They jumped to a 35-12 lead at halftime and shut out the Raiders, 11-0, in the third quarter to put the mercy rule into effect.
“We kept up the intensity from the start,” Norwin sophomore guard Ava Christopher said. “We were ready to put in the work.”
Senior forward Lauren Palangio led with 14 points, junior guard Kendall Berger added 12 and Christopher had eight for the Knights.
The first half saw Seneca Valley go nearly 12 minutes without a field goal, falling behind 34-9.
Kobus hit three 3-pointers in the second quarter and scored 10 points in the opening half. Norwin outscored the Raiders, 23-10, in the second quarter.
The Raiders had no answer for a 16-0 run.
“I am so proud of how we defended,” Norwin coach Brian Brozeski said. “There were a lot of sleepless nights (during the break). Two weeks is a long time. I am glad it’s over and we’re back to playing.”
Norwin has won 17 in a row against WPIAL competition. The Knights are in search of their first WPIAL title since 2016.
“That’s what a championship team is,” Seneca Valley coach Dorothea Epps said. “We knew what they were going to do, but we didn’t react well enough to it. I think we were a little shell-shocked. Norwin’s girls were determined.”
Seneca Valley also lost at Norwin, 46-39, on Feb. 8 in a much tighter game. Sophomore Natalie Hambly, who had 20 points and five 3s in the previous game, was limited to seven points this time.
“I am proud of our effort, but the points don’t transfer,” Brozeski said of the brow-raising final score. “It’s impressive what we did, yes, but we have to get ready for the next one.”
Only the top four teams from the WPIAL advance to the PIAA tournament in 6A.
Norwin moved to 10-1 at home this season.
Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.
Tags: Norwin, Seneca Valley
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