The Norwin girls basketball team etched itself into WPIAL history in 2024, when the Knights captured the Class 6A title. That golden performance served as the exclamation point for a terrific senior class that included Ava Kobus. Now, Kobus is thriving on the hardwood at Allegheny College. She’s in the spotlight in this installment of the Westmoreland Alum Q&A.

As a freshman at Norwin in 2020-21, Kobus and the Knights compiled a mark of 13-5 overall, including 9-3 in section play. In the WPIAL Class 6A playoffs, the Knights defeated North Hills and Butler Area, but came up short against Upper St. Clair in the semifinals, ending the campaign one win shy of a championship appearance.

The next season, Norwin achieved a record of 15-7, including 12-2 in the section. However, Norwin was ousted in its first playoff contest, a loss to Bethel Park in the WPIAL Class 6A quarterfinals.

In 2022-23, Kobus averaged 8.3 points and 3.6 rebounds to help the Knights go 24-5 overall, including 9-1 on the section ledger. Back in the WPIAL Class 6A playoffs, Norwin bested Baldwin, but came up short against North Allegheny in the semifinals. However, Norwin bounced back with a victory against Mount Lebanon in the consolation round to qualify for the state playoffs. From there, the Knights defeated Central Dauphin and Lebanon, and then gained vengeance with a victory against North Allegheny. The Knights subsequently lost to Cedar Cliff in the PIAA Class 6A semifinals.

In her senior campaign in 2023-24, Kobus and the Knights finally reached the pinnacle. Individually, she averaged approximately 9 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. The Knights compiled a record of 23-4 overall, including a perfect 10-0 in the section. In the Class 6A postseason, the Knights knocked off Seneca Valley and Chartiers Valley to reach the championship game. Playing at the Petersen Events Center, Norwin defeated North Allegheny 56-41 to claim the WPIAL Class 6A Championship, the third in program history. From there, the Knights moved on to the PIAA Class 6A playoffs, defeating York William Penn and Chartiers Valley before losing to Spring-Ford in the quarterfinals.

Following her high school career, Kobus elected to continue on the hardwood at Allegheny College. She joined the Gators for the 2024-25 season, playing in 28 games, including a pair of starts. In those contests, she averaged 7.8 points and 4.5 rebounds, while compiling 26 assists, 17 steals, and 19 blocks. The Gators went 21-8 overall, including 17-3 in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC). In the conference tournament, the Gators fell to Chatham University in the PAC semifinals. However, Allegheny qualified for the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Tournament. The Gators subsequently defeated Penn State Behrend, McDaniel, and William Paterson University to claim the ECAC Championship.

This season, Kobus has appeared in 17 games, including six starts. She’s averaging 10.0 points and 4.2 boards per contest, while racking up 12 assists, a dozen steals, and seven blocks. To this point, the Gators have gone 9-9 overall, including 6-3 in the PAC.

Ava took time from her schedule to respond to questions about her biggest area of growth from her freshman to sophomore year at Allegheny, the biggest keys to the championship season at Norwin, and the advice she’d give herself as a high school freshman.

Q: How have you judged your performance thus far this season?

A: I think I have done well so far this season and have been playing my hardest, though there is always room to improve and things to work on.

Q: What have been your biggest areas of growth from your freshman season to this year?

A: I think my biggest area of growth would be my confidence in myself and my abilities, which I think has led me to play better this season.

Q: You excelled at 3-pointers in high school, but that hasn't been a big part of your game this season. How have you adjusted your style of play?

A: I have learned to fit into my role on this team - which would be to play more of a post inside - and have worked with my coaches on improving on those skills, so I can be the best player I can be and do my best where my team needs me.

Q: What did it mean to capture the ECAC Championship last year?

A: It meant a lot to be able to win for our seniors last year, and I think it provided us with a good opportunity to get some more experience for some of us who were freshman last year and are playing bigger roles on the team this season.

Q: What team and individual goals did you set for this season?

A: Individually, one of my goals going into this season was being more confident in myself. One team goal this season would be to win the PAC.

Q: What led to your decision to attend Allegheny?

A: The environment. For me, it was important that I had coaches who not only valued my aspirations on the court, but also in the classroom, and I knew I would get that from Coach Kelly and Coach Christina. I also chose Allegheny because of the close-knit bonds I experienced on my visit, not only between teammates, but also between the coaches and the team, and knew it was something I wanted to be a part of.

Q: There are several WPIAL players on the roster. Did you have relationships with any of those teammates prior to Allegheny?

A: I did not.

Q: What is your major, and ideal future profession?

A: I am a biology major and I hope to become a Genetic Counselor in the future.

Q: What has been your most enjoyable college course?

A: My evolution class.

Q: You were part of a championship program at Norwin. What were the biggest keys to that success?

A: I think the biggest keys to our success were not only the talents that we all brought to the team individually, but our bond as a team and how much we wanted to play hard and win for each other and not just ourselves.

Q: What was your fondest high school memory?

A: The overnight trips our team would take for tournaments and summer camps.

Q: Do you still follow Norwin athletics or WPIAL basketball?

A: I do. My sister was a senior on the soccer team this season, so I made sure to follow their season and I do keep tabs on how the girls basketball team is doing.

Q: Do you have any superstitions or rituals before, during, or after a game?

A: I'm not really a superstitious person, though I do enjoy getting to see my family after the games.

Q: To which movie or TV show can you recite nearly every line?

A: New Girl

Q: What advice would you give yourself as a high school freshman?

A: Don't compare yourself to others and focus on being the best you you can be - that's what will take you where you want to go.