JEFFERSON TWP — Late in a regular season ravaged by COVID-19 shutdowns, Knoch girls basketball coach Chris Andreassi called senior guard Nevaeh Ewing over for a chat.

“With how many games we're going to be able to play, you're not going to score 1,000 (career) points,” Andreassi said to Ewing. “I'm sorry.”

Ewing showed no disappointment.

“Coach,” she said, “that's fine. Let's just go win.”

Andreassi figured deep down it had to tear Ewing apart to be so close to a milestone, but be unable to achieve it because of something out of her control.

Knoch has never had a 1,000-point scorer and Ewing was a sure bet to reach it had the Knights played a full slate of games instead of the 12 they did, counting playoffs.

“In a normal year, we would have played 26 games this year,” Andreassi said.

Still, Ewing appeared unmoved by missing out on such an achievement.

To Ewing, personal accolades pale in comparison to team success.

Ewing and the Knights made history, winning a section title for the first time since 1972 and advancing to the WPIAL semifinals for the first time in school history.

“I was very proud of my team this year because of everything we went through,” Ewing said. “I know a lot of teams went through shutdowns, but we went through three. So to be able to push through a season and be able to get to where we got, I think was a big accomplishment.”

Ewing was one of the linchpins in Knoch's success this season.

A 5-foot-10 guard with length, Ewing was one of the most dangerous long-range shooters in the WPIAL this season.

She averaged 13.3 points per game, but had a penchant to get red hot and quickly pile up points if not guarded closely.

“Teams had to make a decision,” Andreassi said. “Do you want to stop the penetration of Nina Shaw and Madilyn Boyer? Or are you going to help with Nevaeh, because if you don't, she's going to light it up?

“There were games when teams said, 'We aren't going to let her beat us,'” Andreassi added. “And they face-guarded her. I give her a lot of credit because she didn't get frustrated by it. She kept working hard. She understood that opened things up for the rest of the team.”

Ewing is ready for her next chapter, recently signing to play at Grove City College.

Ewing had plenty of choices, but the Wolverines offered more of what she was looking for.

“It was the overall feeling,” Ewing said. “I like the Christian standpoint of the college and that it's a small, private school. I like how close the team is. That's what I was looking for in a school.”

The recruiting process was even more difficult for Ewing because of the pandemic, but she said Andreassi helped her through it.

Now Ewing is focused on upping her game.

“Shooting is obviously a big thing for me, so I'm going to focus more on perfecting my shot,” Ewing said. “I'm also going to work on my defensive skills as far as quickness goes.”

Ewing also figures to get stronger.

“I think when she gets to college and gets on a great weight program and becomes stronger, she's going to get even better and pick up where she left of with us,” Andreassi said. “Man, she's already a great shooter. She just loves basketball and puts a lot of time into it. Now she's going to have even more time to put into the game.”

Ewing is the oldest of four girls. Her sister, Naturelle, was a freshman this season and saw some varsity minutes.

“It was great having her in high school,” Nevaeh Ewing said. “We do practice a lot and work with each other. I helped her get up to speed. It was good to have her there and I'm looking forward to watching her play in the future.”

Nevaeh Ewing is also looking forward to her next challenge: getting noticed in a big incoming freshman class at Grove City College.

Ewing will be one of 11 freshmen this winter.

Ewing, though, has never been one to shy away from a challenge.

“It's exciting to me,” Ewing said. “It's something to work toward.”