Fox Chapel Area girls basketball coach Marty Matvey just reached a milestone 100-career wins as a basketball coach, a significant achievement itself, but this season also brings with it another high point: his largest freshmen class of his six-year tenure with Foxes girls basketball.
With 12 eager rookies, the coach is seeing tangible signs of his program’s long-term developmental efforts to continue to build and reinforce the program. From youth skills sessions and camps, to AAU, off-season leagues, and the middle school team, the coaches have connected with these players, starting in elementary school. Now, as freshmen, that connection has created a smooth transition to high school, where they await new challenges.
The upperclassmen have been key in helping the freshmen. Many of them were starters in their own freshmen or sophomore years, so they understand what it’s like.
“Our seniors on the team, Avri Ebig, Shay Pick, Adina Rosen, Natalia Schaffer, and Bella Urso have welcomed the freshmen and made them feel comfortable,” says coach Matvey. “The freshmen class’s energy, authentic joy, and willingness to put the team first, has done just as much for the upperclassmen.”
For freshman Bailey Sacco, there was no need for a “getting-to-know-you” adjustment period. She has known coach Matvey since the summer before seventh grade. According to Bailey, the coaches’ dedication to them helped boost their confidence early on.
“Coach Matvey is a very devoted and a dedicated coach,” says Bailey, who has earned a starting position on the varsity team. “This year, he has made sure we (the freshmen) are prepared and confident in our abilities. I believe so many players came out this year because of how encouraging and supportive this program has been. We have been given so many resources to get better.”
Coach Matvey describes Bailey as a “gritty player who is mentally ready to play.”
“She’s a lefty, crafty with the ball, and her change of pace is really good,” he adds. “She’s definitely a team-first kid and is not shy to step up in key moments. We’re using her as another skilled guard with (junior) Lyla Jablon and Bella, giving us a third playmaker option to balance out the floor.”
Another freshman making an impact is freshman Ella Shevchuk, a cross country state qualifier in her first year of high school. She is the type of athlete coach Matvey says he’s wanted for a long time.
Ella says her racing background has improved her resilience. “It’s taught me to not give up, even when things are difficult.”
“Ella is an incredible athlete,” coach Matvey says. “Her athleticism has allowed us to do things we haven’t been able to do before. She doesn’t get tired, she’s physical, and she fully embraces her role. For now, that means bringing energy on defense and defensive rebounding. We’re really excited about her.”
Jane Weber is another freshman getting varsity minutes off the bench. Her coach praised her speed and instincts. He cites the freshmen’s unselfish mentality and the trust and chemistry they’ve built over the year as some of the freshman’s strengths.
Other freshmen, Lily Viti, Addison Sacco, Abby Goodman, and Jenesis Gordon, spent the summer working with the middle school coach to refine their skills and harness their athletic potential. So far, all have shown great promise.
High school practices have been another new and energizing experience for the freshmen.
“Our team strives to have loud and energetic practices,” Bailey says. “We know we must set the vibe from the beginning, whether it be in the locker room or during our first drill. It is necessary for us to succeed. The leaders on this team have helped to make this possible.”
She continues, “We have a really strong bond. We know how to push each other to be our best. The girls are working really hard to achieve our goals for the season. We have fantastic leadership within the team, and that helps the freshmen feel confident on the court, but also in the high school environment.”
Coach Matvey describe some of the other freshmen’s strengths.
Among the other players who are the future of the program are twins Nina and Kaya Kulikowski.
“On JV, Nina and Kaya are making strides offensively and are using their natural athleticism and instincts to make an impact that has helped propel the JV to a 3-0 start,” coach Matvey says. “They’ve been active and engaged, and I think it’s just a matter of getting acclimated to 5A basketball before they really hit the ground running.”
Coach Matvey is also optimistic about the roles freshmen Sydney Gibel, Sara AndersonJussen, and Lily will play. He mentions that all three are team-first players and are starting to learn the system and adjust to high school basketball.
Coach Matvey adds, “They’re all great kids. Right now, what we love about them the most is that they are so supportive of each other and very genuine. To a coach, that’s magic.”
Ella sums it up: “This freshmen group loves the game, and we love to play together.”