Norwin Knights Boys

Head Coach: Cam Auld – 2nd season

Conference: Class 6A Section 2

Last Season: 10-12 overall, lost to Mount Lebanon in the WPIAL Class 6A first round

Key Losses: Jeff Lenart, Alex Tyner

Key Returners: Mario Csukas, Nate Kuch, Alex Graney, Chris McKnight, King Carver, Stef Giannikas, Dom Kantz

Promising Newcomers: Max Levendosky, Noah Carney, Potter Brozeski

Circle the Dates: Norwin faces rival Penn-Trafford on December 2nd and opens section play against reigning section champion Upper St. Clair on the road December 9th. The Knights first game against Hempfield Area is January 13th.

Although the Norwin boys finished with a losing overall record last season, the Knights did qualify for the WPIAL Class 6A playoffs. After taking a clear step forward under first-year head coach Cam Auld, a Norwin alum, the Knights return the vast majority of their roster in pursuit of the next step.

More than a half dozen rotational players are back in the fold for Auld, led by senior guard Mario Csukas. Also back are seniors Nate Kuch, Alex Graney, Chris McKnight, Stef Giannikas, and Dom Kantz, as well as sophomore King Carver.

Three others appear to be on the cusp of breaking into the rotation, as seniors Max Levendosky and Noah Carney and junior Potter Brozeski are vying for minutes.

Residing in Class 6A Section 2, the Knights will stack up against defending section and WPIAL Class 6A winner Upper St. Clair, as well as playoff teams Imani Christian Academy, Pittsburgh Central Catholic, and Mount Lebanon. Additionally, Hempfield Area, Canon-McMillan, and Connellsville Area are all eyeing improvement.

Thus, Auld is hoping his team can play its best basketball at the end of the season after a fifth-place finish at 6-8 last campaign. Norwin’s season ended in the first round of the playoffs with a lopsided loss at Mount Lebanon.

To open the season, Norwin hosts North Allegheny and Penn-Trafford in a pair of nonsection tilts. The first section game will be a formidable challenge, at USC on Dec. 9

Norwin Knights Girls

Head Coach: Brian Brozeski – 15th season

Conference: Class 6A Section 2

Last Season: 15-8 overall, lost to Upper St. Clair in the WPIAL Class 6A Championship; lost to Altoona Area in the PIAA first round

Key Losses: Kendall Berger, Averi Brozeski, Bella Furno

Key Returners: Ava Christopher, Elizabeth Yarosik

Promising Newcomers: Kylie Rodkey, Anna Fraser, Aubrey Graney, Lenyn Brozeski, Nia O’Barto

Circle the Dates: Norwin begins the season with a pair of tough non-section games against Class 5A opponents in Penn-Trafford on December 2nd and Thomas Jefferson on December 9th. The Knights welcome Hempfield Area on January 12th.

After a historic run in 2023-24, the Norwin girls came up just short of replicating that success last campaign.

After an uneven start to the season, the Knights found their groove as the season progressed. As a result, Norwin edged Upper St. Clair for section supremacy, and the Knights parlayed that momentum into a pair of playoff victories to return to the title game. The rubber match against USC, however, went in favor of the Panthers 45-40, denying Norwin the repeat in Class 6A.

Four starters, including three who are now playing college basketball, have moved on from last season’s squad, creating more uncertainty than coach Brian Brozeski has faced in several years.

Norwin graduated Kendall Berger and Averi Brozeski, who are both playing at Clarion University, as well as Bella Furno, who has continued her career at West Virginia Wesleyan. That trio was instrumental in the title run a couple of years ago.

Thus, just one key contributor from the championship squad remains, as senior guard Ava Christopher will be heavily relied upon this season. Christopher averaged 8 points and 7 rebounds in her junior season. Also back in the mix is junior forward Elizabeth Yarosik, who contributed 4 points and 6 boards last campaign.

As a result, several players who saw sporadic minutes in previous years could emerge as key components for this version of the Knights. Senior guard Kylie Rodkey, senior forward Anna Fraser, and sophomore guards Aubrey Graney, Lenyn Brozeski, and Nia O’Barto all should factor into the rotation.

As Norwin eyes its 23rd playoff appearance in a row, the Knights will contend with several viable foes in Class 6A Section 2, including the reigning champion Panthers. However, Canon-McMillan, which finished in third place, could be the favorite with most of the roster returning. Playoff participant Mount Lebanon, along with Hempfield Area and Connellsville Area, round out the section.

While expectations are always high with the program, Brozeski rather is focused on less tangible objectives for this team this season.

“Compete to your full potential each time you are on the court,” he noted. “Expect positive outcomes if you compete, day in and day out, to your full potential.”

Norwin opens its slate with a home rivalry matchup against Penn-Trafford, as the Knights look for vengeance after a loss last year. Section play commences on Dec. 18 with a home contest against Connellsville Area.