After her older brothers achieved considerable athletic success at Greensburg Central Catholic, Sarah Liberatore set her own path at Hempfield Area. A standout basketball player for the Spartans, Liberatore has since become a focal point at Florida Institute of Technology. She’s in the spotlight for this edition of the Westmoreland Alum Q&A.

A four-year starter at Hempfield Area, Liberatore made a significant impact as a freshman in 2016-17, as she earned All-Section accolades. That year, the Spartans went 14-10 overall, including 5-5 in section play. From there, Hempfield Area qualified for the WPIAL Class 6A playoffs, and defeated Canon-McMillan in the first round. However, the Spartans fell to North Allegheny in the quarterfinals, and lost to the Tigers again in the PIAA first round to conclude the campaign.

The next year, Liberatore again garnered All-Section honors, as she helped propel Hempfield Area to a mark of 12-12 overall, including 6-4 in the section. Back in the WPIAL 6A postseason, the Spartans bested Seneca Valley, but fell to Peters Township in the quarterfinals.

As a junior, Liberatore was chosen as the team MVP, and secured First-Team All-Section honors. Hempfield Area took a step back, though, as the Spartans went 11-11, but just 4-10 in section play, missing the postseason.

In her senior campaign, Liberatore amassed averages of 19.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 2.1 steals, repeating as team MVP and First-Team All-Section. Hempfield Area again failed to qualify for the playoffs, however, going 8-14 overall, including a 5-9 mark in section action.

Liberatore finished her storied career with the Spartans scoring 1,125 career points, and was chosen to play in several marquee events, including the Roundball Classic All-Star Game.

Following her graduation, she matriculated to Marshall University, where she joined the Thundering Herd for the abbreviated 2020-21 season. She played in 10 contests that season, averaging 1.1 points. Marshall went 8-11 that campaign, including 7-9 in Conference USA play. The Thundering Herd fell to Louisiana Tech in the first round of the conference tournament.

In her second season at Marshall, Liberatore again appeared in 10 contests, averaging 1.7 points. Marshall improved to 15-13 overall, including 10-8 in Conference USA action, but fell to Rice in the second round of the conference tournament.

After two years at Marshall, Liberatore transferred to Florida Institute of Technology for the 2022-23 campaign. The sophomore guard has made a big impact with the Lady Panthers, as she’s played in all six games, including a pair of starts. In that action, she’s posted averages of 9.3 points and 1.3 boards, while adding six assists and a pair of steals. Florida Tech has gone 1-5, including 0-4 in the Sunshine State Conference (SSC).

Sarah took time away from her schedule to respond to questions about her increased production at Florida Tech, the impact of her brothers on her career, and her favorite Christmas gift.

Q: You rank among the top scorers for Florida Tech this season. What has been key to your success offensively?

A: I believe the key to my success offensively coming into Florida Tech this year is simply my experience, being confident in my game, and trusting all the work I put in. All my years, from Hempfield to Marshall, and the number of trainers and basketball players I've watched and interacted with has elevated my offense, physically and mentally.

Q: What is your best attribute as a player?

A: I believe my best attribute as a player is my mental game. I do a lot of preparation mentally - visualizing the game, learning the system and the players around me, staying steady every day through the process. I personally believe that that side of my game has grown the most through my experience with different coaches and teammates, and has prepared me to excel in a new environment.

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

A: The team goals are to win the Sunshine State Conference championship and play for the NCAA tournament. The individual goals I set for myself are mainly being a leader for this team and bringing my versatility as a player through offense, defense, and leadership every day, so that we have a better opportunity of accomplishing the team goals.

Q: How have you handled the acclimation to a new program and teammates?

A: I believe every day is a process, and I'm just enjoying every day and the new experience - in a great conference, and to just be playing basketball. I really am enjoying getting to know all the new people I'm meeting at Florida Tech and gaining new relationships with my coaches and teammates.

Q: What led to your decision to transfer to Florida Tech?

A: After I decided to transfer from Marshall, my decision to come to Florida Tech was simply I was interested in playing in this conference and I wanted to be in an environment where I knew I could be happy and enjoy living. I had a couple options that I was looking at, but this was the best opportunity for me, academically and athletically.

Q: What is your major and ideal future profession?

A: My major is business with a focus in entrepreneurship. I'm not sure exactly what area I want to work in yet, but I'm hoping to get an internship this summer to explore my different interest areas more.

Q: What has been your most enjoyable college class?

A: My most enjoyable college class so far is a class I took at Marshall called Creativity and Innovation. I had a great professor named Olen York who taught me in a few classes that specialized in entrepreneurship, and he really made the material and class work interesting; I learned so much from him.

Q: What have been the biggest differences in lifestyle between Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia compared to Florida?

A: The biggest difference is probably the weather, as you could expect. Waking up today, a December morning, and it's 78 and sunny and I'll probably go to the beach; that is a huge change.

Q: You enjoyed a prolific career at Hempfield Area. What was your fondest high school memory?

A: My fondest high school memory playing at Hempfield probably has to go with my freshman year playing for Aaron Epps. He was a great coach and a great guy and made basketball challenging and enjoyable that year. I actually still have a funny voicemail from him that makes me laugh every time I hear it.

Q: Do you still stay in touch with former coaches and teammates with the Spartans?

A: Yes, I stay in touch with some of them and I follow a lot of them on social media, where we keep up with each other and reach out sometimes.

Q: Who was the best player you faced in high school?

A: The best player I faced in high school was definitely Mackenna Marisa with Peters Township. She's at Penn State now, and we trained together sometimes with Ron Drennen during the summer. She is for sure the best and most skilled girls basketball player I've played against.

Q: Both of your brothers are also college athletes. What impact did they have on your athletic career?

A: Both my brothers have had a huge impact on my life in a lot of ways, one being athletics. I loved growing up watching them through their years of sports and I always looked up to them. I literally wanted to be just like them when I was younger. They have always been my role models, and now they're my best friends. I can talk to them about anything, and they're always here for me. We played so many basketball games in the driveway though, too, and they've definitely toughened me up with a lot of crying and cut up knees.

Q: If you could play anyone, past or present, in a game of one-on-one, who would you choose? What would be the result?

A: I would probably choose to play against my dad during his high school basketball years. I've heard a lot of talk about his game and seen the yearbooks and hall-of-fame picture at GCC, but I want to see this jump hook I've heard about live. I would definitely win; there was no three-point-line back then, so I think I have a little advantage on him, and I would be in his ear the whole game.

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

A: I could probably recite a lot and I know all the music from Remember the Titans. I've seen it so many times and have been watching it since I was little, and I think it's ingrained in my memory.

Q: What is the best Christmas present you've ever received?

A: The best Christmas present I ever received was probably my dog Rookie when I was in eighth grade. I had been wanting a dog for so long, and all the memories I have with Rookie make it the most special gift.