Norwin notebook: Grads make impact in women’s college basketball

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Sunday, February 18, 2024 | 11:01 AM

Norwin girls basketball’s thumbprint continues to show up all over the college game.

There are almost enough former Lady Knights to form a team at the next level.

Here is a look at some of the women impacting Division III and NAIA programs, some of which are national tournament contenders:

Olivia Gribble, Sr., G, Marietta: The second-leading scorer at 11 points per game, Gribble started all 23 games and was leading the Pioneers in minutes played (25.3), along with 46 3-pointers. She also was a pure 26-of-30 from the foul line for Marietta (18-5, 13-3 OAC).

Jayla Wehner, Sr., G, Marian: A key reserve guard for the Knights (23-1, 14-0), Wehner had played in 22 of 24 games, with five starts, this season. Her role is a facilitator in a high-scoring offense that produces 76 points a game. She was third on the team with 47 assists, despite averaging only 14.4 minutes.

Kate Botti, Fr., F, Bethany: Botti was named the Presidents’ Athletic Conference Newcomer of the Week for the third time this season after she helped the Bison (12-11, 10-8) to a pair of wins. The 6-foot forward had eight points, seven rebounds and three steals against Saint Vincent and added 16 points and 14 rebounds in a victory over Geneva. Botti is averaging 6 points and 7 rebounds.

Bri Zajicek, So., G, Cedarville: A transfer from Illinois-Springfield, Zajicek has started 17 pf 21 games, averaging 26.9 minutes, 5.0 points and 4.5 rebounds. She had a couple of 18-point games for the Yellow Jackets (5-16, 3-11 Great Midwest Conference).

Alyssa Laukus, So., F, Chatham: A 6-foot forward, Laukus is one of the top frontcourt players in the PAC. She was averaging 10.6 points and 5.7 rebounds for the Cougars (21-3, 17-2). Laukus had four double-doubles this season and she tries to help Chatham return to the PAC finals.

Mara Polczynski, Jr., G, Grove City: Polczynski was averaging 9.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and a team-best 2.3 steals a game. Her all-around game has helped the Wolverines (11-12, 10-8) push for a playoff spot in the PAC.

Hockey slips

The Norwin hockey team was looking for a boost of momentum with the playoffs getting closer.

The playoff-bound Knights had dropped four of six games as they prepared to play their final two regular-season games, at Latrobe and at Armstrong.

Norwin (9-7-0-2) was in fifth place out of 11 teams in Class 2A.

College scene

Updates on Norwin athletes playing in college:

Wrestling

Bucknell: Senior Kurt Phipps, ranked No. 14 at 133 pounds, picked up his 20th win of the season with 1-0 decision as the Bison fell to Leeman-Turner, 31-11.

Women’s indoor track and field

Carlow: Senior Jaquelyn Heflin took first place in the 800-meter run at the Baldwin Wallace Mid-February Meet with a time of 2 minutes, 52.43 seconds.

Edinboro: Sophomore Bernadette Zukina set a school record in the 400-meter run at the SPIRE Invitational with a time of 57 seconds. The mark is an NCAA provisional qualifying time.

Slippery Rock: Aleks Brozeski posted a season-best long jump of 5.30 meters to earn a spot at the SPITE Collegiate Indoor Games to qualify for the PSAC Championships next week. She finished 16th in the event. Freshman Savannah Schneck placed 15th in the shot put (12.25 meters), also a PSAC-qualifying mark.

Hockey

Saint Vincent: Logan Connelly scored three goals as the Bearcats defeated Duquesne, 11-5.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

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