Norwin coach Brozeski brings big-picture perspective to title game
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Wednesday, February 28, 2024 | 7:51 PM
Norwin’s Ava Christopher drives against North Allegheny’s Lydia Betz in January. The Knights won both regular-season games vs. the Tigers.
Norwin’s Ava Christopher celebrates with Bailey Snowberger after scoring against North Allegheny on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, at Norwin.
Norwin’s Averi Brozeski shoots a 3-pointer against North Allegheny on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, at Norwin.
Norwin’s Averi Brozeski passes by the Knights’ bench after hitting a 3-pointer against North Allegheny on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, at Norwin.
After he left the court to visit with his parents and family on the concourse at Peters Township’s AHN Arena on Monday night, Norwin coach Brian Brozeski was asked a question.
What was the first thing that popped into your head as the final buzzer sounded?
Brozeski didn’t pause: “Thank God,” he said.
“To be honest, there are levels of preparation and 100% is me praying that we walk away with our health and strength,” the coach said after the top-seeded Norwin girls defeated No. 5 seed Chartiers Valley, 63-47, in the WPIAL 6A semifinals. “Thank the Lord we came out on top and everyone is all right.”
A devout Catholic who is big on perspective, Brozeski shared that he is going to be as mindful as he is prayerful when he guides his true-blue contender Lady Knights (20-3) into Friday night’s championship game against No. 3 North Allegheny (22-2) at Petersen Events Center.
Tipoff is 7 p.m.
“I haven’t told the girls yet, but they can join me at St. Agnes (Church) at 3 on Thursday to pray and reflect on our preparation,” Brozeski said. “I pray the rosary before every game.
“We are so blessed. There are people out there who aren’t as fortunate as we are. Basketball is only a game.”
But Friday’s game is immense for the program, divine intervention or not.
Norwin hasn’t won a title since 2016 when it beat North Allegheny, 63-57.
The teams have been in the same section since 2018 and have met six times in the postseason since 2014 (they each have won three).
“I always heard growing up about Norwin-NA,” Norwin sophomore guard Ava Christopher said. “It’s big in the WPIAL. We expect a big crowd for a big rivalry game.”
In 30 meetings since the teams started playing regularly since 2006, North Allegheny has won 16.
“Norwin-NA has been big for as long as I can remember,” Norwin junior guard Kendall Berger said. “We can’t get comfortable just because we got here. We have to get after it the next couple days. It’s exciting.”
Norwin swept North Allegheny this season for the first time but hasn’t beaten the Tigers three times in a season since 2015 and never three times in a row in 6A.
“NA is a historic program,” Brozeski said. “They have been there, and they know what it takes and when to peak. (Coach) Spencer (Stefko) will have them ready.”
Brozeski agreed that the matchup can be compared to Steelers-Ravens.
“Throw out the record books,” he said.
Earlier in the year, after Norwin handled the Tigers, 64-44, Stefko said Norwin, on that night, was“the best team in 6A.”
He didn’t make any promises, but he said his team would work to be better if they met the Lady Knights again.
North Allegheny’s Spencer Stefko, in his ninth year as coach, expects Norwin to be sound from the tip.
“They’ll be on point on everything they do defensively,” Stefko said. “They’ll play incredibly hard, and offensively they’ll do what they do well. This team really plays well together, and they know how to set each other up to be successful.”
Norwin senior forward Lauren Palangio said the Lady Knights will prepare just the same, even though it is North Allegheny that awaits.
“I think our mentality stays the same as it’s been throughout playoffs,” she said. “If we just play our game and play within ourselves, we know what we are capable of and what we can do no matter who the opponent is.”
Stefko and Brozeski have developed a friendly rivalry coaching against each other. Both are well-respected around 6A and the WPIAL.
On one hand, he and coach (Joe) O (Oesterich) are the best, and coaching against (Brozeski) brings out the best in you,” Stefko said. “On the other hand, I don’t really look forward to coaching against Broz, as one of us has to lose, and I really do admire him. He’s a gentleman, a scholar, a family man, a man of integrity, and just an all-around good human being who is a coach’s coach.”
Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.
Tags: North Allegheny, Norwin
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