Many of the players that have been a part of the Norwin girls basketball program have become household names in recent years. Despite graduating two key players from last season, Bailey Snowberger and Lauren Palangio, the Knights bring back a talented group this winter.

One of those key returners caught the eyes of college coaches during the summer, and recently settled on her college choice. Averi Brozeski, a lethal sharpshooter for the Knights, committed to Clarion University.

“I’m majoring in education, and that’s what sold me,” Brozeski explained. “And Coach (Danielle) Fleming. She was so personable, and right off the bat, I knew I wouldn’t mind playing for her.”

Brozeski had other schools approach her, including IUP. Ultimately, it was the relationship with Fleming that was the deciding factor for choosing Clarion.

Coming into the recruiting process, Brozeski didn’t realize how important it was to have a strong relationship with the college coach. It wasn’t until she arrived on Clarion’s campus that she had the epiphany about the importance of a coach and player relationship

Brozeski isn’t the only Norwin Knight who will be playing at Clarion. Her teammate and best friend, Kendall Berger, will be joining her as a Golden Eagle.

“It happened about a year ago,” she said about when the two talked about playing together. “We said ‘we should try to go to college together,’ but in the back of my mind, I thought it would never happen.

“We both got an offer from Wheeling and I thought ‘wow, maybe we can play together.’ Then, she got an offer from Clarion and went on a visit and decided to go there. A few weeks later, they reached out and offered me, and with Kendall going there, the coaches, the environment, the people, it was just amazing.”

With the relationship they’ve formed in high school, Brozeski feels it’ll help ease any discomfort they might feel in college.

Now that her college decision is made, she is preparing for a senior year in which the Knights enter as the defending WPIAL Champions. Norwin took down North Allegheny in the Class 6A title match, a year after North Allegheny knocked Norwin out of the WPIAL playoffs.

“Being against NA was just the cherry on top of the sundae,” she remarked. “It was such a great experience. It was a revenge thing for us, and being with Lauren Palangio and Bailey Snowberger that year and seeing them finally get a ring - they really put in the work.”

With some key players graduating, it’s now Brozeski and company who will take over the reins at Norwin. However, she is aware that they won’t try to be anyone they aren’t, and will play their roles perfectly.

As the season approaches, Brozeski is making sure she gets in the gym a few times a week, despite being in volleyball season. The Knights have workouts weekly, with four optional days and two mandatory days.

She knows the bar is high for the Knights. But Brozeski feels it won’t be just talent that gets Norwin back to the championship, but rather, something even more important for them as a whole.

“Our chemistry was great last year,” She mentioned. “I think we are still trying to build our chemistry. We all are pretty close and hung out over the summer. That’s a big thing, as it builds trust, and trust on the court is the number one thing.”