Feb 8, 2024 5 min read

By Eleanor Bailey

Almanac Sports Editor

ebailey@thealmanac.net

Natalie Wetzel can do it all on a basketball court. This winter, the Peters Township junior averages 17.1 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game while converting 49.8 percent of her two-point baskets and 38.1 percent of her 3-point shots.

“You can run out of superlatives to describe Natalie’s play,” said PT head coach Steve Limberiou. “She’s an exceptionally gifted athlete.

“Natalie has become a complete player. She can score at all three levels. She’s a good rebounder as well. She frequently guards the other team’s best player and does a great job doing it.”

Though just a junior, Wetzel has done a tremendous job of turning around the Indians. They have gone from an average team in 2023 with a 13-11 record to the top-ranked team in the WPIAL with an undefeated mark of 20-0. They are rated in the top five in the state.

The last time the Indians held such a lofty perch was in 2019. They rolled to a 30-0 record complete with a WPIAL title and a PIAA championship. Makenna Marisa, who recently topped 2,000 career points at Penn State, was PT’s marquee player, scoring 1,703 points and gaining All-American acclaim.

Comparisons are already being made even though Marisa was a 5-11 guard and Wetzel is a 6-3 post player.

“The absolute best players not only can dominate the game on their own, but they also elevate the play and abilities of all of those around them and that is the trajectory that Natalie is on, similar to what Makenna Marisa’s impact on a game was,” said Limberiou.

“I see Natalie continue to grow as a player and as a leader, and I don’t put any ceiling on her and the type of players she can become.”

Wetzel is on track to become the program’s all-time leading scorer as she most recently topped the 1,000-point plateau during a 57- 42 win against Mt. Lebanon last week.

“It was a better pass than a finish,” Wetzel said of the milestone. “Gemma (Walker) lobbed me a perfect pass and I scored on a left-handed layup. I was excited but it was different.”

Wetzel noted there was no stoppage in play. Lebo simply inbounded the ball and action continued for a few minutes before Limberiou called timeout to acknowledge the achievement.

“We had started celebrating until we realized that the game was continuing,” Wetzel said.

“While 1,000 points has always been a goal of mine, it wasn’t on my mind. Winning always came before 1,000 points. It’s always a good feeling to accomplish your goal but it’s even better to get the win.”

Limberiou agreed. “To score her 1,000th point as a junior in this section – which I view as the best in the WPIAL – is extremely impressive. This is an outstanding achievement for Natalie. Few players accomplish this feat.”

Remarkably, it was the third time in less than three weeks that the 1,000-point total had been eclipsed by a PT basketball player. Walker surpassed the milestone in an overtime win against Bethel Park on Jan. 19 while Jack Dunbar accomplished the feat in a boys win against Connellsville on Jan. 30.

Because Wetzel was always tall, she started playing basketball in second grade.

Her father, Matt, who played at Upper St. Clair, would rebound for her at the recreation center and her mother, Erica, who played collegiately at LaRoche, accompanied her on basketball journeys, which included many AAU adventures with the Western PA Bruins. Additionally, she challenged her brothers, Nick and Jake, to 1-on-1 competitions in the backyard or indoors when the weather turned foul.

Wetzel sharpens her shooting skills by practicing every day. She remains after practices trading hoops with teammate Bri Morreale. Often she arrives at the gym at least two hours before a game to shoot around.

“I like to get a bunch of shots in,” she said. “Versatility is one of my biggest strengths.

“When I was growing up I was always the tallest player on my travel team and always playing post but I didn’t like it so I started to work on my guard shills and shooting. I think AAU has helped me because I’m always playing with and against great players. It’s high-level competition.”

Currently, Wetzel has 22 scholarship offers. She has already visited Minnesota, West Virginia, Pitt, Boston College, Richmond, Davidson, Villanova and St. Joseph’s. With more than a year of high school ball remaining, there is room for more offers as well as growth for Wetzel.

“Natalie needs to continue work on all aspects of her game to continue to grow and reach the goals that we have set for her,” Limberiou said.

“As a coach, it’s my job to continue to challenge her constantly to maximize all of her abilities and get her prepared to play high level Division I basketball. At the same time, I realize what I’m watching is exceptional and I don’t take for granted the opportunity to coach her.”

Wetzel wants to help the Indians play well into March.

“I have already earned my biggest personal achievement but I hope this season brings others,” she said. “My main focus has always been winning. We all have the mindset ‘team over personal goals’ and it’s taken us far. We are in a good spot.

“Our goal is to win WPIALs. We see that (2019) banner at practice every day. It’s a dream of ours but it’s one step at a time. We need to keep working as a team and keep having a winning mindset and outwork our opponents to achieve our postseason goals.”