Norwin Knights Boys

Head Coach: Cam Auld – 1st season

Conference: Class 6A Section 2

Last Season: 8-13 overall, missed playoffs

Key Losses: Dylan McCullough, Luke Denny

Key Returners: Jeff Lenart, Mario Csukas, Stef Giannikas, Chris McKnight, Alex Graney, Nate Kuch, Dom Katz

After leading Greensburg Salem boys basketball for the past two seasons, Cam Auld returned to his alma mater this offseason. Auld, a 2016 Norwin grad, took over for Lance Maha, and he inherits a Knights team that won eight games last season despite having almost no players with varsity experience.

Following a better-than-expected start to 2023-24, however, the Knights struggled down the stretch, winning just twice in the section, sweeping the series with Hempfield Area.

The vast majority of contributors from that squad are back this year, though, with Dylan McCullough and Luke Denny serving as the notable exceptions. McCullough has continued his career on the hardwood at Mount Aloysius College, while Denny opted for football at Lehigh University.

Among the key returners this year are senior Jeff Lenart and juniors Mario Csukas, Stef Giannikas, Chris McKnight, Alex Graney, Nate Kuch, and Dom Katz.

“Obviously, when a new coach comes in, that can be a process that takes time to fully develop. We are really just preaching consistency in our work every day and with the talent we have, making sure we aren't taking that for granted,” explained Auld. “For us, the whole offseason and preseason has been about finding something that is going to separate us from the rest of the pack.”

That pack is formidable, as Class 6A Section 2 will consist of reigning WPIAL champions Upper St. Clair and Imani Christian, along with section winners Mount Lebanon and Pittsburgh Central Catholic, as well as Hempfield Area, Canon-McMillan, and Connellsville Area.

Despite that, Auld has the Knights setting their sights on the postseason.

“Bottom line, when you get to 6A, everybody is good and there are no nights off. It’s what everybody wants - to be challenged every night,” he explained.

Norwin began the season on Tuesday, falling to rival Penn-Trafford 68-51 in a non-section clash. Their first section game will be on December 10th at Upper St. Clair.

Norwin Knights Girls

Head Coach: Brian Brozeski – 14th season

Conference: Class 6A Section 2

Last Season: 23-4 overall, won the WPIAL Class 6A Championship; lost to Spring-Ford in the PIAA quarterfinals

Key Losses: Lauren Palangio, Ava Kobus, Bailey Snowberger

Key Returners: Kendall Berger, Averi Brozeski, Bella Furno, Ava Christopher

Promising Newcomers: Lex Heller, Liz Yarosik, Kylie Rodkey, Anna Fraser

After being so close in previous years, Norwin finally returned to the pinnacle last season. The Knights captured the WPIAL Class 6A Championship in decisive fashion, ousting North Allegheny 56-41 to win the third title in program history.

The Knights enter this season with a target on their back, but Norwin appears poised to contend for another championship in the largest classification.

The trio of graduated starters will be conspicuous by their absence, however. Forward Lauren Palangio, guard/forward Ava Kobus, and guard Bailey Snowberger served as three anchors for the program. Palangio, who is now playing at Holy Family, paced the Knights in scoring and rebounding, and she also racked up an incredible 44 blocks. Kobus, now playing at Allegheny College, was a threat from behind the arc, ranking third in scoring. Snowberger, who opted to play softball at Maine, led Norwin with 85 assists last campaign.

Four valuable contributors return to the mix, however, led by senior guard Kendall Berger. A three-year starter, Berger ranked second in both scoring and assists last season, and committed to Clarion University during the offseason. She’ll be joined on the Golden Eagles by classmate Averi Brozeski, while another senior, Bella Furno, has pledged to West Virginia Wesleyan. Ava Christopher, a junior, has been a crucial component of the team’s success since her freshman season.

A quartet of players who have been biding their time appear destined to take on larger roles this season, as senior forward Lex Heller, juniors Kylie Rodkey and Anna Fraser, and sophomore Liz Yarosik are vying for spots in the rotation.

After running the table in Class 6A Section 1 last season, the Knights have shifted to Section 2, where they’ll face playoff teams Mount Lebanon and Upper St. Clair, along with rival Hempfield Area, Canon-McMillan, and Connellsville Area, which bumps up from Class 5A.

“The section remains one of the toughest in the WPIAL and there are new teams, which bring new challenges,” said Brian Brozeski, the veteran bench boss of the Knights.

The Knights dropped a nail-biter at rival Penn-Trafford to open the season Tuesday 51-50. They open section play on the road against Connellsville on December 19th.