The players on the Bethel Park girls basketball team are legitimate gym rats.
That’s a positive thing.
Bethel Park second-year coach Steve Norman has enjoyed watching the dedication displayed by the girls on the 2024-25 team.
“We’re going to be much younger than last year,” Norman said, “but we’ve had tremendous turnouts all summer and fall. Our kids love the game; they want to be in the gym, and they are great teammates. You can do a lot with those types of players.
“We expect to be competitive in our section, contend for a playoff spot, give everyone a game. We’re very young, so contributions may come from different players every night, but we have a lot of players ready to step up.”
The Black Hawks are led by two returning starters, aka Ms. Inside and Ms. Outside.
Sadie Orie returns as the team’s starting point guard while Ella Sabatos is back at her familiar forward position. Both are seniors.
Sabatos is a smooth-moving 6-foot frontcourt player and one of the taller girls in the WPIAL. She was a Big 56 first team selection last season.
“My expectations are that we will make playoffs and be super successful in our section,” Sabatos said. “I expect us to play a lot of team basketball and always bring a lot of energy.
“One of our strengths is how versatile we are. On any given night, anyone can make an impact. We can run in transition or slow it down and run a set play. We have many talented players who can step up.”
Orie stands 5-7 and serves as an energetic “quarterback” in the Black Hawks’ backcourt.
“I believe our team has a potential to finish much better than we did last year,” Orie said. “We have the expectation set that we will make playoffs and have a chance at finishing very well this season especially within our new section.
“Our team is very unselfish. We pass the ball very well on offense and we have the ability to play very smart. Our energy is also extremely positive which keeps us going even in tougher games.”
Two players expected to join the starting lineup this season are Kat Boff, a 5-6 junior guard, and A.J. Elphinstone, a 5-10 sophomore forward.
“Kat Boff and A.J. Elphinstone played off the bench last year and are prepared to step into a starter’s role this season,” Norman said. “Both played valuable minutes last year but will see a big increase this year. Kat will be a much bigger factor as a starter.”
Junior guard Bella Coleman, sophomore guards Avery Bonacci, Gabby Labate and Sarah Nath plus sophomore forward Layla Bench all could see meaningful playing time.
“We’re young but these kids are putting in the time and want to be ready when the opportunity arises,” Norman said. “Fiona O’Neill is a freshman that could have a (big) role this season.”
Bethel Park’s impassioned floor boss offered high praise for Coleman.
“Bella Coleman has made maybe the biggest improvement since the end of last season that I’ve ever seen from a player at the high school level,” Norman said. “She will step in and help us replace some of the scoring from last season.”
Bethel Park finished fifth in Section 2-6A last year with a 5-7 record, trailing Peters Township (11-1), Chartiers Valley (7-5), Mt. Lebanon (7-5) and Upper St. Clair (6-6).
The Black Hawks’ overall record was 10-12 thanks in large part to a six-game winning streak to close out the season.
“I’m excited about where the program is,” Norman said. “We were light on players last year and had a large freshmen class. We’ve got another large freshman class, and I’ve gotten to spend time with our youth program and know there are good kids playing basketball in Bethel Park.
“We as a coaching staff are very excited about the future of the program.”
Particularly 2024-25.