Very few girls basketball teams in the WPIAL have enjoyed more success over the past decade than Norwin. The Knights have been an annual contender in the largest classification, winning three titles. The program has also yielded countless players who have thrived at the college ranks. One of the most notable examples of that pipeline to the next level is Kate Botti, who has emerged as one of the top players at Bethany College. Botti is the focus of this edition of the Westmoreland Alum Q&A.

Botti made the Knights varsity roster as a freshman in 2019-20. That campaign, Norwin went 18-5, including 13-1 in section play. However, the Knights came up short against Upper St. Clair in the WPIAL Class 6A quarterfinals to conclude the season.

The following year, Norwin compiled a mark of 13-5, including 9-3 in section action. Back in the WPIAL 6A postseason, Norwin ousted North Hills and Butler Area, but again lost to USC, this time in the semifinals.

In 2021-22, Norwin achieved a record of 15-7, including 12-2 in the section ledger. The Knights lost to Bethel Park in the Class 6A quarterfinals, though, ending their campaign.

In Botti’s senior season, she earned All-Section accolades, while collectively Norwin enjoyed a season to remember. The Knights went 24-5 overall, including 9-1 in section play. In the 6A playoffs, they bested Baldwin, but came up short against North Allegheny in the semifinals. However, the Knights rebounded with a win against Mount Lebanon in the consolation, securing a spot in the state playoffs. From there, the Knights knocked off Central Dauphin and Lebanon, and then gained vengeance with a triumph against NA. The postseason run ended in the PIAA Class 6A semifinals with a loss to Cedar Cliff.

A three-year letterwinner on the hardwood, Botti also garnered a pair of letters in volleyball at Norwin.

Following her graduation, she elected to continue her basketball career at Bethany College. As a freshman forward with the Bison last campaign, Botti started all 27 games, compiling averages of 5.1 points and 7.0 rebounds, while adding 42 assists, 33 steals, and 21 blocks. Her play helped the Bison achieve a significant turnaround, as they went 15-12 overall, including 12-8 in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC). In the conference tournament, Bethany ousted St. Vincent College, but lost to Chatham University in the semifinals.

This season, Botti has appeared in 11 games, including 10 starts. In that action, she’s posted 8.6 points and 8.0 rebounds per contest, while accumulating 27 assists, seven steals, and 16 blocks. To this point, the Bison have gone 7-6, including 4-4 in PAC action.

Katie set aside time to answer questions about the challenge of transitioning to the college game, her fondest memory at Norwin, and which rule she’d like to change in basketball.

Q: Your numbers have improved drastically from last season. What have been the biggest keys to your improvement this season?

A: The biggest key to my improvement has been the extra time put into my game outside of practice. I have been consistently working out with our new assistant coach, and he has helped me tremendously with my shot and finishing around the rim. Also, I think I have shown improvement due to growing my confidence. I feel that my confidence has grown because I have been more consistent, and my teammates have shown a lot of trust in me. I still think I have a lot of room to continue to grow my game.

Q: What was the biggest challenge in making the transition to college basketball?

A: The biggest challenge in transitioning to college basketball was being aware of the shot clock. I was worried about it when I came to college, but it was not as intimidating as I thought it would be. The hardest part is just being aware of the time and being able to find a good shot quickly.

Q: The Bison have improved significantly over the past two years. What have been the factors in this turnaround?

A: In the past two years, I think we have been able to turn the program around based on leadership and experience from the upperclassmen. Everyone has "bought in" (that is one of coach's favorite phrases) and put in their time in the gym to make their game stronger individually. I also think that the team has clicked and formed great chemistry. We enjoy playing for one another.

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

A: Our team goal is to win a PAC championship, but we set a standard that we have to take each game at a time. Coach has a lot of statistical goals for us, but my favorite is that we aim for 20 team assists every game. It motivates us to play for our teammates and work harder to get each other open. My individual goals all stemmed from growing my game from last year. At the end of last year, Coach Lopez told me she thought I was snubbed for PAC Freshman of the Year, so we agreed that I needed to only use that as motivation for the upcoming season. My goal is to average a double-double this season.

Q: What is your favorite part of playing in the PAC?

A: My favorite part of playing in the PAC is how competitive it is. I have learned that you cannot go into any games with any predetermination. Any team can beat pretty much any team. I also love that I get to play against some of my old high school teammates including Alyssa Laukus, Mara Polczynski, and Ava Kobus.

Q: What led to your decision to attend Bethany?

A: A lot of my decision to attend Bethany had to do with Coach Lopez and the girls on the team. I love the energy and enthusiasm the team carries in games. I went to a few Bethany games when I was a senior, and I really liked their style of play. I saw myself being a good fit on the team, on and off the court. Another important factor to my decision was the head of the Criminal Justice department here, Dr. Bryson. He has been my favorite professor, by far.

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

A: My major is criminal justice, with a minor in political science and accounting. Ideally, I would like to be an attorney in criminal court, but I am not sure which side of the law I want to be on yet.

Q: What has been your favorite college course?

A: My favorite college course has been forensic science. I really enjoyed learning about the science of how crimes can be solved and the lab work we did to practice this.

Q: You played at Norwin under head coach Brian Brozeski. What has made him such a successful coach?

A: I think Coach Bro has been so successful because of his emphasis on the basics. We did many situational breakdown drills on offense and defense that prepared us for game-time decisions. If we messed up a rotation or play, he would almost always stop the drill to make the corrections.

Q: What was your fondest high school memory?

A: My fondest high school memory was my senior season as a whole. I loved the bond our whole team had, and it made the season much more enjoyable playing with my best friends. The best part was our run to the semifinals of the state tournament that included beating North Allegheny by 20 at Fox Chapel in the quarterfinals, where we earlier lost to them in the WPIAL semis.

Q: Do you still follow Norwin athletics and the WPIAL?

A: I follow girls basketball in the WPIAL, mostly Norwin because some of my old teammates and friends are still on the team. I have started following 2A boys basketball because my younger brother transferred to Greensburg Central Catholic, and their team is really good.

Q: If you could change one rule about college basketball, what would it be?

A: If I could change one rule about women's college basketball, it would be to remove the restricted arc. I think that if an offensive player is going to run over a defender, it should be an offensive foul anywhere on the court.

Q: Do you prefer water, a sports drink, or something else for basketball?

A: I drink mostly water during practices. In game, I usually have a water bottle and a Propel.

Q: Who would you choose to portray yourself in a movie about your life?

A: Julia Roberts.

Q: What is your favorite holiday? Why?

A: My favorite holiday is Christmas because I loved being able to see all of my family and spend time with them, especially now that I am not home often. I also love the meals that we eat on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. My family is Italian, so we have our version of the seven fishes on Christmas Eve, and it is probably my favorite meal of the whole year.