After many seasons of hard work and dedication, the Norwin Lady Knights proved it all worth it last season when they won the WPIAL class 6A championship, beating North Allegheny with a 56-41 win at the Petersen Event Center at the University of Pittsburgh. Additionally, they went to the PIAA quarterfinals, with a loss to Spring-Ford coming as a result. This season, the Lady Knights, under the leadership of head coach Brian Broseski and assistant coach Joe Oestreich, are focused on maintaining their championship level of playing, while simultaneously navigating challenges and promise.
“This year, the success from last season really motivates us,” said senior and captain, Lexi Heller. “It reminds us to ‘practice like we’ve never won a game before.’ If we don’t practice hard, we won’t play hard. If we want that success again, we need to do what we did last season and push ourselves.”
While the Lady Knights lost a few key players from last season, there are still many key returners who are ready to lead. Seniors Kendall Berger, Averi Broseski, Lexi Heller, and Bella Furno bring experience and athleticism to the team.
“Ava Christopher has really stepped up this season,” said senior captain Kendall Berger. “She’s been a crucial part of the team for years, and this year she’s taken on the role of point guard, something we really needed. Even with her recent injury, she’s been instrumental in our success so far.”
Ava tweaked a knee and missed a few games, but the Knights hope she will be back for Section play.
Team chemistry has always been a hallmark of the Lady Knights’ success, and this season is no exception. Heller emphasized how the team’s bond off the court has translated into better on-court performance.
“We’ve all been playing together since kindergarten, and this year we’ve become even closer with the juniors,” said Heller. “That chemistry allows us to play better together, both on the court and off of it.”
The chemistry among the players has always been crucial to the Lady Knight’s success, and this season is no exception.
Coach Broseski, who has taken the Lady Knights through 14 consecutive seasons, remains confident in the team’s ability to compete at a high level.
“The girls are practicing hard, and that’s the most important thing right now,” Brozeski said. “We’re heading in the right direction, but consistency is something we still need to work on. We have some youth and inexperience, and we’re still working through that.”
This year’s team is different from past groups in that it is more guard-heavy, a change that Broseski sees as both a strength and an area for growth.
“We’ve lost some leadership and personality from last year, but we’re adjusting,” Brozeski added. “The guards have the opportunity to lead, pulling on that as a strength.”
With a new Section and new challenges ahead, the Lady Knights know they’ll need to be at their best if they want another shot at the WPIAL title. Key opponents like Upper St. Clair, Canon-Mac, Hempfield, and Connellsville serve to challenge the Lady Knights as they work toward securing another playoff spot.
The team’s early-season record of 3-2 reflects both the highs and lows of the transition period, but the Lady Knights are confident that with continued hard work, they’ll hit their stride.
“Mentally, a lot of the time us basketball players don’t want to take care of our bodies, and we face the consequences when we’re sore and tired,” said Berger. “I think being mentally disciplined and staying healthy is what we need to do to go back to WPIALs.”
With the potential for another WPIAL run, the team is eager to build on the foundation laid last season.
