Here’s where North Catholic basketball stars Lauren Reitz and Brady Wehner will play in college
Sustaining success to the level achieved by North Catholic girls basketball requires young players to not only buy into the culture upheld by veteran coach Molly Rottmann, but also contribute on the court.
For the past three seasons, the Trojanettes have compiled a record of 66-20, won a WPIAL championship in 2024 and earned three trips to the state playoffs.
Two current seniors integral to that success have settled on where they will extend their academic and playing careers. Forward Lauren Reitz recently made a verbal commitment to the University of Akron while guard Brady Wehner has opted for West Liberty University.
At 6-foot-2, Reitz attracted attention from a number of other Division I programs, including Ohio University and Wright State.
Akron won out because “the coaches were so supportive and the players were kind and welcoming when I visited there,” said Reitz, a resident of Murrysville. “I’m looking forward to improving my game in college and realizing my potential.”
Reitz was preparing to have a key role during her freshman year, but her play became even more important after teammate Ava Walker was lost to injury.
“Since then, Lauren has progressed into a well-rounded player,” Rottmann said. “She’s worked on getting stronger, and aside from scoring and rebounding, her ability to guard the paint has been very important for us.”
Last season, Reitz averaged 9.2 points and six rebounds per game while making 49% of her field goal attempts.
“(At North Catholic), we play fast and play very well in transition,” she said. “Being part of a high school program as competitive as we are has helped me become the player I am today.”
Wehner surpassed 1,000 career points during last year’s state playoffs. She’s played mostly shooting guard for North but can also handle the ball against pressure.
“Brady was able to start as a freshman because of her hard work, and that has continued throughout her varsity career,” Rottmann said. “We talk about what it means to be a Trojanette, and she is the epitome of that.”
West Liberty, located north of Wheeling, W.Va., is a Division II school that competes in the Mountain East Conference, which also includes Pittsburgh’s Point Park University.
Wehner, who lives in Cranberry Township, received interest from several Division I schools and “a bunch of other Division II schools,” she said.
“I’ve never been a player who sat on the bench. I want to make an impact (in college) as quickly as possible, and I feel I can do that at West Liberty.”
Wehner has averaged nearly 13 points per game in over 80 varsity contests.
“We won a WPIAL championship my freshman year,” she said. “I want to help the young players have that experience. Fun and memorable, that’s how I want to go out.”
