Slippery Rock, Knoch girls basketball honors late SRU coach Bobby McGraw after tip-off tournament
Knoch's Neah Ewing (11) and Slippery Rock's Madison Romanovich (24) were each named the Bobby McGraw Players of the Game after a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
Slippery Rock girls basketball picked up its first win of the season, dominated Knoch and saw Madison Romanovich light up the court for 21 points Saturday to conclude the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament.
As good as the 52-33 victory was, getting the Rockets to 1-1, it was just as memorable for head coach Jeff Steele and Knoch head coach Shane McGraw to see postgame awards handed out to their top players that had a special tie to both.
Saturday marked the first time the Bobby McGraw Player of the Game award was given out, to the best player on Knoch and Slippery Rock. Romanovich and the Knights’ Neah Ewing (eight points) earned the honors.
“It was an honor and a great gesture by Coach Steele, who was a terrific player (and) friend to my brother,” Shane McGraw said via text.
“We had a hard time containing (Romanovich), as she plays so well off two feet and is so patient with the ball.”
Bobby McGraw was Shane McGraw’s brother and the former women’s basketball coach at Slippery Rock University from 2014-22 before his unexpected death in July 2022. The McGraws and Steeles are closely connected. Bobby’s son, Reed, was in attendance to help present the awards and is friends with Steele’s two children. Bobby McGraw and Steele were close friends, Steele told the Butler Eagle earlier in the week.
Ryleigh Cornelius finished with eight points for the Rockets, who stormed out to a 20-6 lead after the first quarter. Aubrey Spencer had eight points for the Knights.
Knoch (0-5) has completed nearly a quarter of its schedule already, just eight days into the season.
Knoch's Neah Ewing (11) and Slippery Rock's Madison Romanovich (24) were each named the Bobby McGraw Players of the Game after a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
Knoch head coach Shane McGraw (left), Reed McGraw (second from right) and Slippery Rock head coach Jeff Steele (right) congratulate Neah Ewing (11) on her Bobby McGraw Player of the Game award after a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
From left, Knoch head coach Shane McGraw, Reed McGraw and Slippery Rock head coach Jeff Steele congratulate Madison Romanovich (24) on her Bobby McGraw Player of the Game award after a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
Knoch's Neah Ewing (11) was named Bobby McGraw Player of the Game after a girls basketball game against Slippery Rock during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
Slippery Rock's Madison Romanovich (24) was the Bobby McGraw Player of the Game after a girls basketball game against Knoch during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
Slippery Rock head coach Jeff Steele instructs Madison Romanovich (24) in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
Knoch's Neah Ewing (11) shoots a 3-pointer over Slippery Rock's Brielle Jordan (10) in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
Slippery Rock's Madison Romanovich (24) looks to shoot against Knoch in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
Knoch's Sadie McGraw (22) shoots a 3-point shot against Slippery Rock in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
Knoch's Aubrey Spencer (13) defends the drive of Slippery Rock's Madison Romanovich (24) in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
Knoch's JoJo Szebalskie (24) defends against Slippery Rock's Madison Romanovich (24) in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
Slippery Rock's Brielle Jordan (10) looks to pass against Knoch in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
Slippery Rock head coach Jeff Steele talks to his team in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
Knoch's Neah Ewing (11) in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
Slippery Rock's Brielle Jordan (10) shoots a free throw against Knoch in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
Slippery Rock's Gia Kovacik (12) dribbles by Knoch's Neah Ewing (11) in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
Knoch's Neah Ewing (11) looks to drive against Slippery Rock in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
Slippery Rock's Madison Romanovich (24) shoots a free throw against Knoch in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
Slippery Rock's Vanessa Hinkle (15) defends Knoch's Aubrey Spencer (13) in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
Knoch's Aubrey Spencer (13) dribbles by Slippery Rock's Brielle Jordan (10) in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
Knoch's Neah Ewing (11) dribbles against Slippery Rock in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
Knoch's Liv Foster (10) dribbles against Slippery Rock in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
Knoch's Olivia Hawk (23) scores over Slippery Rock's JoLin Lin (21) in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
Slippery Rock's Gia Kovacik (12) defends as Knoch's Neah Ewing (11) shoots in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
Knoch head coach Shane McGraw talks to his team in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
Knoch's Neah Ewing (11) dribbles up the court against Slippery Rock in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
Slippery Rock's Isabel Drake (11) defends Knoch's Aubrey Spencer (13) in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
Slippery Rock's Madison Romanovich (24) takes a shot against Knoch in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
Knoch's Aubrey Spencer (13) has her shot blocked by Slippery Rock's Isabel Drake (11) in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
Slippery Rock's Vanessa Hinkle (15) battles Knoch's Aubrey Spencer (13) for a rebound in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
Slippery Rock's Madison Romanovich (24) looks to shoot over Knoch's Neah Ewing (11) in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
Knoch's Aubrey Spencer (13) scores on a steal and breakaway layup against Slippery Rock in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
Slippery Rock's Madison Romanovich (24) looks to pass over Knoch's Liv Foster (10) in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
Knoch's Liv Foster (10) and Slippery Rock's Madison Romanovich (24) react to a loose ball foul in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Knoch's Neah Ewing (11) and Slippery Rock's Madison Romanovich (24) were each named the Bobby McGraw Players of the Game after a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Knoch head coach Shane McGraw (left), Reed McGraw (second from right) and Slippery Rock head coach Jeff Steele (right) congratulate Neah Ewing (11) on her Bobby McGraw Player of the Game award after a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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From left, Knoch head coach Shane McGraw, Reed McGraw and Slippery Rock head coach Jeff Steele congratulate Madison Romanovich (24) on her Bobby McGraw Player of the Game award after a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Knoch's Neah Ewing (11) was named Bobby McGraw Player of the Game after a girls basketball game against Slippery Rock during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Slippery Rock's Madison Romanovich (24) was the Bobby McGraw Player of the Game after a girls basketball game against Knoch during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Slippery Rock head coach Jeff Steele instructs Madison Romanovich (24) in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Knoch's Neah Ewing (11) shoots a 3-pointer over Slippery Rock's Brielle Jordan (10) in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Slippery Rock's Madison Romanovich (24) looks to shoot against Knoch in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Knoch's Sadie McGraw (22) shoots a 3-point shot against Slippery Rock in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Knoch's Aubrey Spencer (13) defends the drive of Slippery Rock's Madison Romanovich (24) in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Knoch's JoJo Szebalskie (24) defends against Slippery Rock's Madison Romanovich (24) in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Slippery Rock's Brielle Jordan (10) looks to pass against Knoch in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Slippery Rock head coach Jeff Steele talks to his team in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Knoch's Neah Ewing (11) in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Slippery Rock's Brielle Jordan (10) shoots a free throw against Knoch in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Slippery Rock's Gia Kovacik (12) dribbles by Knoch's Neah Ewing (11) in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Knoch's Neah Ewing (11) looks to drive against Slippery Rock in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Slippery Rock's Madison Romanovich (24) shoots a free throw against Knoch in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Slippery Rock's Vanessa Hinkle (15) defends Knoch's Aubrey Spencer (13) in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Knoch's Aubrey Spencer (13) dribbles by Slippery Rock's Brielle Jordan (10) in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Knoch's Neah Ewing (11) dribbles against Slippery Rock in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Knoch's Liv Foster (10) dribbles against Slippery Rock in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Knoch's Olivia Hawk (23) scores over Slippery Rock's JoLin Lin (21) in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Slippery Rock's Gia Kovacik (12) defends as Knoch's Neah Ewing (11) shoots in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Knoch head coach Shane McGraw talks to his team in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Knoch's Neah Ewing (11) dribbles up the court against Slippery Rock in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Slippery Rock's Isabel Drake (11) defends Knoch's Aubrey Spencer (13) in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Slippery Rock's Madison Romanovich (24) takes a shot against Knoch in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Knoch's Aubrey Spencer (13) has her shot blocked by Slippery Rock's Isabel Drake (11) in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Slippery Rock's Vanessa Hinkle (15) battles Knoch's Aubrey Spencer (13) for a rebound in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Slippery Rock's Madison Romanovich (24) looks to shoot over Knoch's Neah Ewing (11) in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Knoch's Aubrey Spencer (13) scores on a steal and breakaway layup against Slippery Rock in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Slippery Rock's Madison Romanovich (24) looks to pass over Knoch's Liv Foster (10) in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Knoch's Liv Foster (10) and Slippery Rock's Madison Romanovich (24) react to a loose ball foul in a girls basketball game during the Slippery Rock Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Slippery Rock High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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