Peters Township’s Wetzel garners Almanac MVP honors
Natalie Wetzel experienced two defining moments in her basketball career at Peters Township. Both came within three weeks of each other.
Wetzel enjoyed the thrill of victory in leading the Lady Indians to their second WPIAL championship in school history then suffered the agony of defeat in the state semifinals. On March 1, Peters Township came from behind to beat South Fayette, 40-36, and capture a crown the program had not claimed since 2019, then on March 22, the Lions avenged that loss, 50-36, in the state semifinals and ended Wetzel remarkable reign as one of the finest players in school history.
“It is a little bittersweet because winning a WPIAL title was always a dream. Since we won that, then looking back, that lessens the pain of losing because states would have been nice,” Wetzel said.
The moment Wetzel realized her career had ended brought tears to her eyes. With approximately three minutes to play in the PIAA 5A semifinal at Canon-McMillan, she could not contain her emotions.
“We had nothing to be disappointed about and I’m so proud of the team but it hit me then that this was my last game in a Peters Township uniform,” she said. “I had a great time playing with my team and with my coach. We had a special bond.
“Especially this year, the team chemistry was off the charts. While I think I had a great career, it was really about building so many friendships with my teammates and coaches. We had so much fun together and I have made life-long friends.”
Wetzel is indebted to Steve Limberiou. The Peters Township floor boss helped her navigate the college recruiting process and channeled her talents such that she ranks among the top three players to emerge from Peters Township High School.
“Coach has done so much for me, on and off the court in my development as a player and a person. He’s always been honest with me and pushed me to be my best. I am so grateful for that.”
Wetzel finished her career as the No. 3 scorer in school history with 1,692 points. Only Emily Correal (1,832) and Makenna Marisa (1,730) finished ahead of her in the scoring department.
“It’s definitely an honor to be ranked up there with those girls. I know I looked up to Makenna,” Wetzel said of the former Penn State University standout.
Wetzel also ranked among the school’s top defenders with 806 rebounds and 125 blocked shots to go along with 235 assists.
“Rebounding and defense are things not everyone wants to do. It’s dirty work,” she said. “To have gotten that many (rebounds) is something I have worked on over the years.”
Since her parents signed her up to play in the township recreation leagues, Wetzel embraced basketball. “I fell in love with the sport,” she said.
Wetzel inherited some athletic genes as her mother played basketball at LaRoche College while her father competed at Upper St. Clair High School. Her younger brother, Jake, contributed to the boys’ varsity team this winter as a 6-8 sophomore center.
“It helps coming from an athletic family,” said the 18-year-old daughter of Erica and Matt Wetzel.
“Honestly, the competitive nature of the sport and the team aspect is what drew me to basketball,” added Wetzel, who also has an older brother, Nick. “I like how fast-paced the game is and that I get to play with my best friends.”
Wetzel certainly put her teammates on her shoulder as she lifted them to a 26-4 record that included an undefeated (12-0) Section 4 banner as well as the district title. She averaged 18.7 points per game and grabbed 9.5 rebounds. She also dished up 2.4 assists and blocked 1.7 shots.
“Natalie was clearly the best player in the WPIAL and one of the best players in recent history in the area,” said Limberiou. “I could make an argument she was the best offensive and defensive player in the WPIAL and she led her team to a championship in the toughest classification.”
The Almanac, as well as its parent paper The Observer-Reporter, agreed. Wetzel has been named Most Valuable Player on the Almanac’s Elite Eleven list as well as Player of the Year on the O-R’s all-district squad.
“It’s such an honor,” Wetzel said. “It’s a great accomplishment and means a lot because there is so much talent in the WPIAL and a lot of successful players.”
Wetzel will continue her career at the college level. She earned a scholarship to Miami. She said she selected the university because “it’s a great school with great facilities,” but the coaching staff proved the defining difference.
“They made me feel at home. I never saw myself going that far but they welcomed me and made me feel comfortable.”
Wetzel will begin adjusting to the NCAA Division I level almost immediately after her graduation on June 6. She plans to travel to Miami and begin summer workouts on June 14.
“The speed and pace of the game are the biggest transitions,” she said. “The game is so much faster than I’ve seen. I am going to get comfortable in that element because I want a successful career.”
While she majors in business with the hopes of becoming a lawyer, Wetzel eventually plans to help the Hurricanes advance beyond the Elite Eight in the NCAA tournament.
“I hope to see minutes,” she said of her immediate goals, “but I have to put in a lot of work. Three years ago, Miami went far in the tournament but it would be a dream to win an NCAA title.”
Fantasies do come true for Wetzel. Yet she never imagined that she would leave the mark she has at Peters Township.
“To be able to bring home a championship makes me proud,” she said. “I hope when people think about me, they remember my team and the season we had. We had one of the best records in school history and its second ever WPIAL. But the most important legacy I hope we left behind was that it was a team that also got along and bonded well on and off the court.”