Westmoreland County Senior Spotlight: Southmoreland’s Bea Pawlikowsky

By: Anthony DiFilippo
Monday, December 18, 2023 | 1:42 PM

It takes a lot of time and energy to keep up with playing a sport in high school for four years.

Playing three sports in succession is taking that notion and expanding it to a new level.

For Southmoreland’s Bea Pawlikowsky, who has played basketball, softball and tennis, it’s almost routine at this point.

“Honestly, since I was a freshman, my schedule has been five or six days a week of one or two sports per day for practices or games all year round, so I’ve just managed my classes and time with friends to accommodate that,” Pawlikowsky said. “I’ve never had a season without sports, so I guess I really don’t know anything else.”

Last winter, Pawlikowsky had to put the pause button on sports, as she was out with an illness.

She joined Olivia Cernuto, who was out for the season with a knee injury, on the sidelines for more than a month.

“This season, I plan to be on the court and working hard every game,” Pawlikowsky said. “We have a smaller team this year, and effort is a big focus for us.”

As the starting point guard, a lot more responsibility is going to fall on Pawlikowsky.

The Scotties finished 2-20 last year, but they have not been devoid of success in recent seasons.

In Pawlikowsky’s freshman and sophomore years, they reached the WPIAL semifinals.

“Those were the girls that I played with since I was a kid, so it was incredibly special,” Pawlikowsky said of the two playoff seasons. “I have lots of great memories and lasting friendships from those first years, and I’m grateful.”

As for this year, success is something that will come gradually.

Southmoreland is 0-3, and all those games have been nonsection contests.

“My No. 1 goal is that we keep showing up and supporting each other,” Pawlikowsky said. “The other elements of the game will fall into place after that.”

Pawlikowsky has narrowed down her college list to Duquesne or Pitt, where she is planning on majoring in environmental engineering.

This week, Pawlikowsky took some time for a Senior Spotlight Q&A:

How did you get started with basketball?

Early in elementary school, I began playing in the in-house program and then on a local traveling team beginning in about fourth grade. (Coach Amber) Cernuto had almost always been my coach, and she was even my kindergarten teacher. If she weren’t still here, I’m not sure that I would be playing.

As a point guard, what is your role on this team?

I have always relied on Liv (Cernuto) to play the point, so it’s pretty different this season having to take on the role. I’m stepping into a bigger leadership role on the court. I work to facilitate the offense while also trying to create opportunities for myself at the same time.

How do your other sports help you with basketball?

I’ve grown up playing each of these sports with my older sister, Elle. I’ve always kind of followed her lead. All of my sports really work into one another. Footwork from tennis, specifically, is a big factor that has helped me in basketball.

What about the softball program makes it successful year after year?

Most of my teammates and I started the same way in local fastpitch leagues. We all grew up either playing with or against each other constantly. We really know each other and trust each other, but I think the dedication is what really makes the difference. We start conditioning for softball even before winter sports mandatory practices start. Putting in the work in the offseason helps to elongate our success into the postseason.

What is one thing that people may not know about you?

I need to have caffeine in the morning. I have been drinking Alani or Celsius a lot lately.

Tags: Southmoreland